McCullough gets off the Mark at Newry

The event took place on the perfectly flat dual carriageway between Newry and Warrenpoint and there were enough riders for two races.Mark took part in the “A” race for first, second and third category riders and when the first cats failed to make up their six minutes starting handicap on the third cat bunch the scene was set for an exciting sprint finish.

Mark has quickly acquired a reputation as a fast finisher but he was unable to get the better of Ballymoney’s Jason Henry on this occasion and it was Henry who was declared the winner by the width of a tyre.

The “B” race is for fourth category riders was won by Tony Mackin (Banbridge), who also won at Annaclone the previous weekend, from Gary Wilson (East Antrim), who won the fourth cat race at the Phoenix grand prix.

CALENDAR

Castlereagh Cycling Club are the promoters of this Saturday’s John Moore memorial road race at Carryduff.

There is an earlier than usual starting time of 10 am for this race and this, combined with a change to part of the course, should help avoid the traffic tailbacks which were experienced last year on the four mile stretch of the main Belfast to Ballynahinch Road.

There will be a rolling start at 10 am from the changing rooms in Lough Moss Centre, with registration taking place from 9 a.m.

There will only be one race and it will be handicapped. The entry fee is 12 and entry forms are available to download from the Cycling Ulster website.

On Sunday, March 14, Island Wheelers will hold their PJ Logan cup road races. The race headquarters will be the Gortgonis Centre in Coalisland.

There will be a total of three races, with two different registration and starting times.

The “B” race will be a scratch “mass start” event for fourth category riders, with registration closing at 11.15am, well ahead of the noon start.

The women’s race is part of the 2010 Ulster Women’s Road Race League; registration for the women will also be until 11.15am.

The ‘A’ race will be for A*, A1, A2 and A3 cyclists, and it will be handicapped, registration for the A race will close at 1.15 pm for 2.00pm start. Race organiser is Peter Corr 07709 590 734.

TABLE QUIZ

Ballymena Road Club’s ladies’ committee are organising a fundraising table quiz which will take place at Rex Bonar House on Saturday 20th March from 7pm.

Admission fee is 5 and this will include entry to the quiz, Irish stew and other refreshments. Please contact Joan McCullough at this Monday night’s club meeting if you wish to attend.

BEST WISHES MARY

Randalstown cyclist Mary McKee joined Ballymena Road Club’s touring run on Saturday morning but unfortunately she was involved in a fall at Cullybackey level crossing on the Ballymena road.

A rider slipped off on the railway lines and Mary was amongst those who came off behind him and she has suffered the most.

A paramedic and then an ambulance attended the scene and made her as comfortable as possible, later it was revealed that Mary had sustained a fractured pelvis.

She is currently in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast but it is hoped that she will be released after a week or so. Nevertheless her recovery is expected to take some time as this is a difficult injury.

All at Ballymena Road Club wish Mary a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her out with them again before the end of the season.