Great turnout for Champion of Champions 25 (photos added)

Martin Sherry’s starting effort

Martin Sherry’s (Emyvale) long journey paid off when he won today’s Champion of Champion’s 25 mile time trial on the classic Portaferry Road course. On a cold morning, with a rising westerly wind, Chris Boardman’s 49 minute course record was never in danger, but Martin’s time of 55:00 gave him a clear margin over Sean McIntyre (Orchard Wheelers) in second place with 55:48, and local man Paul Crossan (Killinchy CC) in third with 56:37.

Paul Crossan looks aerodynamic standing still

First Lady Eileen Burns

There was a good turnout of women, with Eileen Burns (Ballymena RC) fastest in a very impressive time of 59:22. Top Junior was Jody Evans (Spires) with 1:01:32.

Fastest Ards CC rider was new comer Barry Mitchell with 1:00:50 in his first race at this distance. It surely won’t be long before he dips under the hour for the first time.

Second lady Judith Russell

First Ards CC rider Barry Mitchell

Thanks to time keepers Dany Blondell and Paul Robinson, to Desi McIlwrath and his team of marshals and to pusher off David McCann.

And there are lots of more great photos from David McVeigh here.