Buller wins second B9 Energy Storage ToA

John Buller

2023 winner John Buller (Banbridge CC) did it again in today’s B9 Energy Storage Tour of Ards classic road race, sprinting clear of his rivals on the climb of Windmill Hill to score a dominant victory. In his wake, another former winner Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse) took second with Odhran Doogan (Team Caldwell) third. Last year’s winner Sam Coleman (now riding for Israel Premier Tech Academy) recovered from an untimely puncture to take fourth. Alice McWilliams (unattached) was first women and Ian Carson took top Ards CC rider.

In the supporting C3 race an early break of 7 riders split to pieces on the final lap, with Adam Matthews (Banbridge CC) taking the win by nearly a minute from team mate Riley Smith and Rory Loughran (Newry Wheelers). Simon Riding was the top Ards CC rider, and Jemma Spears (North Down CC) was top women.

Here are the results. See the pictures below for the stories of how the races unfolded.

C1/2 Race for the Tommy Brown Memorial Trophy – Results

Place	Name	Club	Time
1	John Buller	Banbridge CC	2:27:25
2	Lindsay Watson	Powerhouse	@2
3	Odhran Doogan	Team Caldwell Cycles
4	Sam Coleman	Israel Premier Tech Academy
5	Oisin Ferrity	Team Caldwell Cycles
6	Gareth O’Neill	Athlete Nutrition Coach HD
7	Mitchel McLaughlin	Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli
8	James Armstrong	Team Caldwell
9	Kevin McCambridge	Inspired Cycling
10	Peter Quigley	Foyle CC
Unplaced C2	Jason Henry	Inspired Cycling
First Ards	Ian Carson	Ards CC
Unplaced Jn	James Armstrong	VC Glendale
First lady	Alice McWilliams	Unattached
Second Lady	Aine Doherty	Dan Morrissey

C3 Race – Results

Place	Name	Club	Time
1	Adam Matthews	Banbridge CC	1:56:54
2	Riley Smith	Banbridge CC	@48
3	Rory Loughran	Newry Wheelers	@57
4	Elliot McKeegan	Team Madigan	@2:03
5	Lee Harvey	VC Glendale	@2:37
6	Gerard McEntee	VC Glendale	@3:59
7	Ryan Calvert	Killinchy CC	s.t.
8	John Ervine	Banbridge CC	s.t.
9	Luca Murray	VC Glendale	s.t.
10	Declan McEntee	Emyvale CC	s.t.
First Ards	Simon Ridings	Ards CC	s.t.
First lady	Jemma Speers	North Down CC	s.t.

Thanks to everyone who made it such a great event –

Our sponsors B9 Energy Storage, Lauren May Jewellery, and Boyd Rice Solicitors.
The club committee who organised the event, chief marshal Sean Hardon and everyone who helped set up the course in advance, and who helped with sign-on and catering on the day.
All our volunteer marshals, motor bike marshals, drivers and lead cars.
Ian Barfoot on the photo finish.
St John Ambulance.
All the riders – we had over 105 entries.
The commissaires, and Cycling Ireland and Cycling Ulster.
The Belgian Project for media services and Toby Watson (photos)
Portaferry GAA club, for letting us use their hall.
And the weather gods, who smiled on us this year!

Here’s the story of the races in pictures. Thank you all!

C1/2 Race for the Tommy Brown Memorial Trophy – Race Report

Aine and Brendan Doherty were hoping to become the first father/daughter winners (Brendan won in the later 1990s)

Last year’s winner Sam Coleman in his new team outfit.

Some of the Ards CC riders looking well in their new racing kit

It wouldn’t be a race start without a commissaire briefing

In the main C1/C2 race, the C2 group were given a 6 minute handicap

The C1 group look relaxed in the neutralised zone. Not for long…

The C2 group at the Saltwater Brig on lap 1

The C1 group had already reduced the gap to 4:35

Eventual women’s winner Alice McWilliams (red number) looks comfortable in the C2 group at Nun’s bridge on lap2

But the pressure is on in the C1 group and the gap is down to 3:40. Last year’s winner Sam Coleman has punctured but is back on his bike and chasing 1 minute further behind.

The C2 group are still looking strong at Lisbane Rath on lap 2

But the C1 group are looking faster and the gap is down to 2:20

The C2 group are still clear at Kirkistown on the third lap.

But Sam Coleman has managed to catch the C1 group again, and the gap is down to 1 minute.

The C1 group made it to the front of the race by the start of the fourth and final lap. After much attacking, a group of 10 were about 15 seconds clear of the main group coming into Portaferry, and John Buller had the strength to take a clear win at the top of Windmill Hill.

A couple of seconds later Lindsay Watson takes second from Odhran Doogan and Sam Coleman.

Ian Carson was top Ards CC finisher in the C1/2 event

John Buller with the legendary Tommy Brown memorial Trophy. Again.

Lindsay Watson took second place

And Odhran Doogan took third. We’re not sure who thought it was a good idea for the chairman with the broken wrist to hand out all the prizes – get well soon Dean!

Top women in the C1/2 race was Alice McWilliams

C3 Supporting Race

Our friends from North Down at the start. See you at the Inter club league real soon now!

C3 bunch coming to the end of the neutralised zone

By the Salt Water Brig on lap 1 a group of 7 had just moved clear of the bunch (still visible in the background). The seven were Adam Matthews and Riley Smith (Banbridge), Rory Loughlin (Newry Wheelers), Elliot McKeegan (Team Madigan), Lee Harvey (VC Glendale), Daniel McManus (Ards CC, YO!) and Ben Morrow (Ballymena RC).