Conditions were hardly ideal for this year’s Magreechan Cup, held over a 25 mile course starting and finishing in Millisle, with a stiff northerly breeze facing riders on the return leg. In spite of this, Ian Inglis (Kinning Cycles CC) recorded an excellent time of 53:23, just 6 seconds slower than Peter McLean’s inaugural course record set on 6/7/21. Second was Michael Boyd (AHC Racing) with 56:30, and Barry Mitchell (Ards CC) took third with 58:00.
Club Secretary Stephen Beattie presents Barry with the Magreechan Cup
The Magreechan Cup was also awarded to the first Ards CC rider tonight, and it was great to see Bobby and Ingrid Magreechan out at the event. Bobby presented the trophy to the club in 1986, for a time trial from Newtownards to Portaferry and back. In recent years the race has moved to the quieter roads on the outside of the peninsula, and Barry added his name (again) to the trophy.
In the handicap stakes, just one Ards rider recorded a personal best – Kevin Briggs – and he takes an early lead in the 25 mile Handicap competition.
| Name | Club | Time | H’cap | HC pts | |
| 1 | Ian Inglis | Kinning Cycles CC | 53:23 | ||
| 2 | Michael Boyd | AHC Racing | 56:30 | ||
| 3 | Barry Mitchell | Ards CC | 58:00 | -48 | 7 |
| 4 | James Gordon | Phoenix CC | 58:05 | ||
| 5 | Stuart Millar | Ards CC | 58:37 | -168 | 5 |
| 6 | Kevin Briggs | Ards CC | 59:51 | +7 | 10 |
| 7 | Hazel Smyth | Kinning Cycles CC | 1:03:27 | ||
| 8 | Jonathan Taylor | North Down CC | 1:04:01 | ||
| 9 | Mark Watson | Ards CC | 1:07:19 | -574 | 2 |
| 10 | Paul Hamilton | Dromara CC | 1:07:27 | ||
| 11 | Brian Wylie | Castlereagh CC | 1:10:01 | ||
| 12 | Clive Stevenson | Unattached | 1:10:47 | ||
| 13 | Colin Wilson | Ards CC | 1:10:51 | -256 | 3 |
| 14 | Ryan Fegan | North Down CC | 1:13:08 |
It’s a busy week next week. Hopefully all those in Majorca last week will be starting to feel the benefits coming through by then 🙂
- Our first trail quest is on Tuesday, with HQ at Christ Church, Ardkeen. Click here for more details, and to record your interest. And there’s a report from Barry’s trail quest last year here, to whet your appetite. (This year’s HQ is clue 11 in last year’s course!)
- North Down CC are running the second event in the new Inter Club League on Wednesday – a road race a Ballyboley. Click here to enter.
Thanks to everyone who helped out tonight – the course needs a lot of marshals!
Winner Ian Inglis receives his prize
Michael Boyd receives his prize for second.
One panning shot worked – yo!