Marcus Christie (Banbridge CC) was fully focused on the start line
Conditions were good for this morning’s Champion of Champions 25 mile time trial, with warm sunshine and a light breeze helping the riders to the turn. Unfortunately, despite the earlier start time of 9am, there was still quite a bit of traffic, plus roadworks in Kircubbin which slowed some riders. Sorry about that.
Marcus Christie (Banbridge CC) flew to the turn in just over 24 minutes. Erwin McKee (Banbridge CC) and Ian Inglis (Kinning Cycles CC) were dicing for second place about two minutes behind, with Paul Carroll (unattached) a further minute back.
Marcus is presented with the Champion of Champions 25
On the tougher return leg into the wind, Marcus continued to pull away to finish with a hugely impressive time of 50:24. The fight for the minor places was much tighter, with Paul fighting back to take second by just three seconds from Erwin.
Hazel Smyth (unattached) is presented with the women’s trophy.
First women was Hazel Smyth (unattached) with 1:05:34.
| No | Name | Club | Time | McF pts |
| 1 | Marcus Christie | Banbridge CC | 50:24 | |
| 2 | Paul Carroll | Un-Attached Ulster | 54:44 | |
| 3 | Erwin McKee | Banbridge CC | 54:47 | |
| 4 | Ian Inglis | Kinning Cycles | 55:28 | |
| 5 | Stuart Millar | Ards CC | 55:49 | 10 |
| 6 | Philip Loughlin | Banbridge CC | 57:57 | |
| 7 | Marc Allen | Ards CC | 58:58 | 7 |
| 8 | David Ross | Banbridge CC | 59:24 | |
| 9 | Roger Brown | Roe Valley CC | 59:26 | |
| 10 | Kevin Briggs | Ards CC | 59:58 | 5 |
| 11 | Glenn Kinning | Kinning Cycles | 1:00:01 | |
| 12 | Barry Hayes | Island Wheelers | 1:01:04 | |
| 13 | Mark Kelly | Inspired Cycling | 1:01:08 | |
| 14 | Graeme McConnell | Killinchy CC | 1:01:39 | |
| 15 | David Moore | Team Coffee Hut | 1:01:47 | |
| 16 | Samuel Cunningham | Ballymoney CC | 1:02:44 | |
| 17 | Glen Curry | Ards CC | 1:03:20 | 3 |
| 18 | Adrian Kerr | Ballymena Road Club | 1:05:31 | |
| 19 | Hazel Smyth | Un-Attached Ulster | 1:05:34 | |
| 20 | Michael Rowan | Ards CC | 1:06:01 | 2 |
| 21 | Paul Hamilton | Dromara Cycling Club | 1:07:01 | |
| 22 | Graeme Brown | Ards CC | 1:07:35 | 1 |
| 23 | Malcolm Bourke | Un-Attached Ulster | 1:08:23 | |
| 24 | Martin Duffy | Banbridge CC | 1:08:45 | |
| 25 | Richard Nicholl | Banbridge CC | 1:17:18 | |
| 26 | Ryan Fegan | North Down CC | 1:17:23 | |
| Nigel McCullough | Banbridge CC | DNF |
Marc Allen
The race was also the final round of the Ards CC McFarlane Trophy competition, for all club 10 and 25 mile time trials on a scratch basis. Marc Allen extended his lead to take a well deserved win.
McFarlane Trophy (final standings)
| Name | 12/4 | 26/4 | 19/7 | 26/7 | 31/7 | Total | |
| 1 | Marc Allen | 7 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 29 | |
| 2 | Stuart Millar | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 | ||
| 3 | Barry Mitchell | 10 | 10 | 20 | |||
| 4 | Andrew Hedley | 7 | 10 | 17 | |||
| 5 | Glen Curry | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 12 | |
| 6 | Kevin Briggs | 5 | 5 | 10 | |||
| 7 | Michael Rowan | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |
| 8 | Ben Healey | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||
| 9 | Philip Giles | 5 | 5 | ||||
| 10 | Andrew Jess | 3 | 3 | ||||
| 11 | Richard Hanna | 2 | 2 | ||||
| 12= | Aaron Fegan | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 12= | Graeme Brown | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 12= | Pawel Cybulski | 1 | 1 |
Thanks to
- All the marshals today, who did a great job in difficult conditions.
- The time keepers and pusher off.
- And all the riders, who continue to support this historic event.
The timekeepers
Paul Carroll (Unattached) was second overall.
Erwin McKee (Banbridge CC) was third overall
Michael Rowan (Ards CC)
Paul Carroll (unattached) caught Stuart Millar (Ards CC)
Ian Inglis (Kinning Cycles CC) was just off the podium in fourth
Graeme Brown (Ards CC)
Glen Curry (Ards CC)
All rounder Glen Kinning (Kinning Cycles) was already asking about our Mountain Bike race in August. We’ll be sharing more details shortly – see you there!