Much has been written of recent weeks about our illustrious Chairman, Ian Blayney, and his indomitable ladies team that he has masterminded over the winter. Week after week his ladies have been populating the podiums the length and breadth of Ulster to the extent that many have forgotten what the man’s forte in fact is. On Saturday Ian gave out a timely reminder to all and sundry that he is, first and foremost, the Sprint King! When it comes to a flat finish there are few faster and after a week running the club, administering advice to “The Ras Robbers” and running our ladies team he has obviously found a few spare hours to do a bit of training. Opening his 2013 account with his first scalp, the Master’s Race of the Ciclisport Grand Prix near Moneymore. This race was not won easily but was a hard fought battle all the way to the line with Ian pipping the other riders to the post. Special mention for the bard John Hunter however. Not so much for his able assistance to Ian during the race but for penning the phrase. “Who do you think you are? Tony Martin?”. John, we salute you.
It’s wasn’t just the men racing at the weekend however. The Ladies fielded a full team again to contest the race. As ever it was Janine making the news. Attacking from the gun and soloing all the way to the finish line rewarded her with her fourth win from four races this season. Showing this amount of dominance in the ladies category must have the other ladies teams scratching their heads as to how to reel her in. Yet again we took the second place on the podium, this time Louise Togneri. Also it’s good to see the team bolstered by experienced track rider Rachel Mitchell. With Rachel’s proven track record it could be that Janine’s greatest competition comes from within before too long!
There were plenty of other club members racing at the weekend. Our ever growing junior section was in action proving to be just as successful as our seniors. Will Hamilton rode a strong race, though, like the seniors, it was the girls bringing home the trophies. Katie Armstrong took second place in a sprint finish and won the Under 14 category at the Saint Patrick’s Festival of Youth race. Fantastic racing, Katie, when will you be racing for Ian’s Ladies Team?