The opening weekend of the 2024 road season in Ulster report (Sat 2nd - Sun 3rd March) which featured the "The 2024 Travers Eng. Annaclone GP" in Co-Down on Saturday promoted by Banbridge CC, and the "Phoenix GP" in Co-Antrim on Sunday promoted by Phoenix CC. Reports of the other provinces later this week!!

The Travers Engineering Annaclone GP (Sat 2nd March)

The 2024 Travers Engineering Annaclone GP got the season to a start in Ulster on Saturday noon…Due to to low nrs in the A4 section, the A3’s got the company of the A4’s in a handicap race as race 2, the A1’s and A2’s had their own handicap race…. due to tractor movement in the area, the roads very mucky, after a few laps it was hard to recognise some riders…but that’s what it is racing in the country…remember…NO FARMERS…NO FOOD!! Juniors ruled both races, in the A3-A4 race 1st year junior Cameron Henry (Inspired Cycling ) took the win, Jamie Moss from the Ballymena Road Club was second, and Phoenix Cycling Club Ellis Allen took 3rd. In the A1-2 race there was no surprise…Fresh from his close second in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne Junior race, and last years Travers Cup winner Seth Dunwoody second year junior and Irish Champ (Cannibal B-Victorious Bel) done it again, away from the first lap with George Peden (Team BP Performance) and Sam Coleman (AS Villemur FR) also second year junior, and also fresh from a big win in France. They finished in that order, and worked together to keep the chasing bunch at more then 2 minutes after the 6 laps!! The host Banbridge Cycling Club know their onions when it comes to road racing, perfect executed as per normal, a see of yellow of the volunteers at every corner made it safe…well done Aaron Wallace and Banbridge CC…it is maybe a short race, but alway’s a sportive and competitive affair.

The Phoenix GP (Sun 3rd March)

Sunday 3rd March: The Phoenix GP hosted by Phoenix Cycling Club at the Nuts Corner circuit near Crumlin in Co-Antrim, a spit away from the International Airport, and mostly competed in Spring sunshine for both races. The A4 race had only one women on the start with Elena Wallace, and took the women’s prize, but she stayed all race with the lads, and certainly deserves that prize indeed! The race was won by Ellis Allen from the home club Phoenix CC in a sprint to the line (full result below) The main race (A1-A2-A3 & Juniors) was a handicap race, but it only took a few laps of 8 odd miles to get that sorted, a few breaks who didn’t work till the winning break of Ohran Doogan (Caldwell Cycles) in first, 1st year Junior Cameron Henry (Inspired Cycling) came second, leaving George Peden (PB Performance) in 3rd! The chasing bunch well beaten. A great spread after in the H&Q at the St Joseph School in Crumlin, and a well done to to Phoenix CC, and their volunteers, also a thank you for the donation towards our work is in order, next for us the Haldane in Newry next Sunday (10th March) for a photoshoot, regards Dany B and Jerome.
Phoenix GP – Sun 3rd March 2024 – Results courtesy of Ian Barfoot and the Phoenix CC time team

A1/2/3 Handicap
1st. Ohran Doogan – Caldwell Cycles
2nd. Cameron Henry – Inspired
3rd. George Peden – PB Performance
4th. Conor Dooney – Foyle CC
5th. Daniel Todd – Dromore
6th. Darragh Doherty – Flanders Color Defever
7th. Aaron Quinn – Four Masters
8th. Gary Cranston – AHC Racing
9th. Michael Boyd – Madigan CC
10th. Eoghan McGuigan – Dromara
1st Unplaced A2 – Gary Cranston – AHC Racing
1st Unplaced A3 – Jason Henry – Inspired Cycling

A4/Women
1st. Ellis Allen – Phoenix CC
2nd. Gareth Reynolds – Madigan CC
3rd. Courtney Walsh – Phoenix CC
4th. Ryan Mercer – VC Glendale
5th. Connor Mallon – Spires CC
6th. Gareth McNiece – Armagh City Cyclists
7th. Joseph Giles – AHC Racing
8th. Conor Murray – Spires CC
9th. Ryan Calvert – Killinchy CC
10th. Michael Martin – Banbridge
1st Woman – Elena Wallace – Harps CC