Early starters lined up to face the time keeper
It was a perfect morning for time trialling – bright, warm, and with a rising southerly breeze to push the riders home – and the times certainly reflected that with the top 18 all breaking the hour. Fastest was Craig McAuley (Caldwell Cycles) – his time of 52:56 was faster than Graeme Obree’s winning time in the very first Champion of Champions 25 back in 1990, although he still has a little bit to go to beat Chris Boardman’s course and event record of 49:36, set in 1993.
Ever green Michael Rowan (Northern)
First man off was Graham McConnell (Dromara)
Not far behind were Patrick McKenna (Emyvale) and Sean Featherstone (Newry Wheelers), with previous winner Christian Nachtigall (Phoenix) just off the podium in 4th.
Ards regular Gillian Orr (North Down)
Mark Miller (Velo Cafe)
In the women’s category, Eileen Burns took her third straight win with an impressive 58:29. She was followed home by Lisa Lamont (Madigan) and Karen Hull (Phoenix).
Eileen Burns (Ballymena RC)
Niall Brown (Ards CC) looks focused
First Junior was Ronan Toomey (MSL Cork) with a very promising 56:33. Daryl Erwin (Ballymena RC) was fastest hand cycle – his time of 1:21:50 is particularly impressive given some of the climbs on the course.
Prize winners, from the left – Ronan Toomey (first Junior), Craig McAuley (fastest overall), Patrick McKenna (2nd overall), Eileen Burn (fastest women), Niall Brown (fastest Ards CC rider) and Sean Featherstone (3rd overall)
Thanks as always to the marshals, time keepers and pusher off who made the event possible, and for all the riders who help to make this event special.
Here’s the full result for the open race. I’d missed places 25-27 from the original posting – apologies for that. The results from the club 25, and the latest standings in the Ards CC club trophy competitions will follow later.
| No. | Name | Club | Time |
| 1 | Craig McAuley | Caldwell | 00:52:56 |
| 2 | Patrick McKenna | Emyvale | 00:53:29 |
| 3 | Sean Featherstone | Newry Whlrs | 00:54:03 |
| 4 | Christian Nachtogall | Phoenix | 00:54:12 |
| 5 | Lindsay Watson | Powerhouse | 00:54:33 |
| 6 | Keith Philips | North Down | 00:54:52 |
| 7 | Benny Smith | Armagh | 00:56:09 |
| 8 | Ronan Toomey | MSL Cork | 00:56:33 |
| 9 | Daniel Daly | Phoenix | 00:57:15 |
| 10 | Rodney Stewart | Unattached | 00:57:19 |
| 11 | Barry Hayes | Island | 00:57:39 |
| 12 | Martin Colgan | Armagh | 00:57:49 |
| 13 | Glen Kinning | Kinning | 00:58:07 |
| 14 | Eileen Burns | Ballymena | 00:58:29 |
| 15= | Bradley Turner | Laois | 00:58:50 |
| 15= | Mark Miller | Velo | 00:58:50 |
| 17 | Michael Reilly | Cavan KR | 00:59:06 |
| 18 | Niall Brown | Ards CC | 00:59:42 |
| 19 | Jason Henry | Unattached | 01:00:00 |
| 20 | Ben Cady | Velo Cafe | 01:00:32 |
| 21 | Graham McConnell | Dromara | 01:02:04 |
| 22 | Michael Rowan | Northern | 01:02:23 |
| 23 | Andrew Jess | Ards CC | 01:02:56 |
| 24 | Mark Watson | Ards CC | 01:03:03 |
| 25 | Andrew Evans | Killinchy | 01:03:18 |
| 26 | Lisa Lamont | Madigan | 01:03:20 |
| 27 | Colin McGready | Cornerstone | 01:04:33 |
| 28 | Karen Hull | Phoenix | 01:05:50 |
| 29 | Gillian Orr | North Down | 01:07:15 |
| 30 | Nigel McCullough | Banbridge | 01:11:15 |
| 31 | Darrell Erwin | Ballymena | 01:21:50 |
| Paul Crossan | Ards CC | Dnf | |
| Gerard McGuire | Phoenix | Dnf |
Keith Philips (North Down) on his way to 6th overall
Gerald Maguire (Phoenix) turns on the speed
Willy Gill (Ards CC) always has time for a smile