the ever impressive Sean Downey of Banbridge CC won the Ards 3 Day having been in each of the crucial breaks in stages 1 and 2 and having won the Windmill Hill time trial. On stage 4 for a time Kirk Sloan was leader on the road but his 3 man break behind the race winning 4 man break was reeled in leaving Downey safe in his defense of the yellow jersey.

Photos of stage 4

For Photo’s by CycleSeen’s Eric Blayney, CLICK HERE

It was the toughest stage of the Tour so far on the final day.  A 70-mile race through South-Down that seen Glen Kinning take the win and Ryan Connor hang onto his yellow jersey for the over all victory.  It’s the third time Connor has won the event in the past five years having previously took the overall title in 2005 and 2007. MORE »

No photos today . . . Photographer Eric Blayney was on marshalling duty for todays race.

It was hardly a sprint to end all sprints but it was a windy day to end all windy days.  At least thats what it felt like out at Dixon road on the East side of Bangor.  A freezing wind was blowing across the home straight and right off the Irish Sea that must have made racing conditions tricky throughout.  A number of riders tried attacking throughout the stage but the wind was never going to let anything serious work and it came down to a sprint finish.  Again the wind played a factor in that and the crowd gathered at the line were not treated to a classic. MORE »

For Photo’s by CycleSeen’s Eric Blayney, CLICK HERE

Tom Vanbecelaere and Ryan Connor split the race wide open today when they attacked the field and rode away.  Vandecelaere took the victory over Connor but third place Adam Armstrong finished over two minutes behind.  Vandecelaere from De Cock Capino team in Belgium finished with a time of 02hrs 55mins 50secs and took over the race lead heading into the double-stage tomorrow in County Down.

Tomorrow’s race starts with a 4-mile time-trial from Donagadee to Bangor in the morning with a stage-race in the afternoon around the Ards-Peninsula.

RESULTS MORE »

For Photo’s by CycleSeen’s Eric Blayney, CLICK HERE 

It was a freezing cold night on the hill in the grounds of Stormont tonight as the Tour of the North got underway.  A stiff headwind blew down the hill towards the starting gate exactly one mile from the finish outside the main doors of local parlament.  With a small crowd gathered around the Carson statue to cheer the riders over the top of the worst part of the crowd the riders set off in 30 second intervals at 6 p.m.  By the time the 100th rider came over the brow of the hill it was dark out and the temperature had dropped even more.  It’s not often you see racing after the sun has gone down but Stormont makes for a good setting.

It was hard to know who was pulling in the fastest times except for a push and shove around the small white board that was updating the riders times.  At one stage the board recorded a time of 2.05 for one rider over the one mile climb.  A distinct mistake.  Well either that or a drug scandal wasn’t far away from hitting the ToN.  Of course it was put down as a timing error and when all times were ironed out it was teenager Sean Downey of the Ireland Juniors team who set an impressive time of 2:23.  Exactly 1.13 seperated Downey from the last place time of the 101st rider meaning everyone is still in contention heading into tomorrows first race stage in the Antrim hills.

RESULTS MORE »

Ross Blayney capped off his season with a win in the Northern Ireland Road Race Championships on Saturday at Killinchy. The Ard’s rider finished forth in the race but was the first finisher out of those eligable for the championship ahead of Davy McKnight and Martyn Irvine. Nearing the end of the race Ross and Davy slipped off the front of the main group to stay away and sprint it out for the title. The race overall was won by Neill Delahaye of Dublin. MORE »

Glen Kinning tonight won the NI hill climb championships on the Scrabo climb. Organised on closed roads by the Ards club the entry was disappointingly small, with only 13 starters. Glen’s time of 4:49 was the only one under 5 minutes, with Kirk Sloan second on 5:09 and Paul Robinson third. Andy Hunter was 4th and first junior.

Race Photos »

The Ards town centre race enjoyed decent, if breezy, weather and a good field of riders. The main race was won in convincing style by Glenn Kinning. Other category winners were U14 Jack Wilson, U16 Johnny Beers. Full results to follow.

Race Photos »

The Cycling Ireland Draft Calendar is now on line on the Cycling Ireland website.  Follow the Schedule link akong the top to be taken to the calendar or alternativly click the link below.  The Schedule section on the site will include a quick view of upcoming events as well as reports and photos from previous events we’ve covered.

2007 IRISH CYCLING SCHEDULE

Tommy Evans all but wrapped up the event today, winning both the morning road stage by about 10 seconds and the afternoon time trial by the same margin. For a few photos of the road stage and some pained expressions on the hill climb CLICK HERE

A perfect evening for the short circuit race at Kirkistown. Won by Peter Hawkins from Matthew Ward in a sprint from an early breakaway of 7 riders. Pictures are here - PHOTOS

An excellent evening’s racing in Newtownards last night, with in-form Adam Pertie-Armstrong taking the main race in a sprint from Glen Kinning. These two were well clear of the rest of the bunch. Photos of all the races can be found on the photos page. Here’s Glen and Adam rounding the tight corner onto the finishing straight. More photos here - Photos.  Apologies to Claire Kinning and Ross (who won the pram push).