NORTH DOWN CROWNS CYCLING CHAMPIONS

As anticipated in this column last week the Northern Ireland road race championships proved to be a close affair with the open race more or less going to form. East Antrim/Audi have been in dominant form since the start of the season and it was Gary Cranston who proved to be the strongest on the final sprint to the top of Orlock at the end of a tough and fast 75 mile race on the Springwell – Donaghadee course on Sunday. The bronze medal went to Cranston’s team mate Glen Kinning and between them came North Down’s Stuart Henry who was riding for the British based Herbalife-Wheelbase team. Henry, who had been racing on the Manchester track over the winter and competing in Premier Calendar races in England, and they don’t come any harder than that, was clearly disappointed to come second but there is no denying Cranston rode cleverly and had just enough in the tank to take the win just ahead of Henry.

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CHAMPIONSHIP CYCLING COMES TO BANGOR

Cycling fans will have a feast of entertainment this coming Sunday when North Down Cycling Club promotes the Northern Ireland Road Race Championships. In addition to the senior race there are supporting champonship races for women and Under 14 and Under 16 riders. With such a busy schedule it has been necessary to hold two sessions. The morning races will be contested by the A4 category, a non championship event, and the youth riders, both races getting under way at 10.30am. Race headquarters are at Donaghadee rugby club.

The main races roll out at 1pm, the women’s event being run over 25 miles and the senior championship will be decided over 74 miles, consisting of nine laps of the Springwell Road – Donaghadee – Warren Road circuit. .

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