Bokhara Restaurant Sponsors Cycling Club
For the third year in succession Bangor’s Bokhara Restaurant, which is situated in King’s Street, is to be associated with the local North Down Cycling Club. The announcement was made at a recent function in the restaurant, to the obvious delight of all concerned.
Afterwards the Bangor restaurateur, Jahirul Huqe, known to everyone as Joi, expressed his pleasure at being once again associated with the progressive North Down Club. Certainly Flo Millar and Terry Nicoletti, representing the club at the official signing, were equally delighted to be linked with the Bokhara. This is undoubtedly a recipe for success for both organizations.
Pacemaker Challenge
The club’s Pacemaker Challenge continued last week with a 5 mile time trial. The event took place in cool but dry conditions and the top six were:
Declan Mc Mackin 12mins 30 sec
Paul Swenarton 12mins 34 sec
John Hunter 13mins 01sec
Matt McInerney 13mins 21sec
Willie McMullan 13mins 33sec
Norman Wilson 13mins 48 sec
Paul Ferguson 13mins 55sec
First youth rider was Nathan McLeer in a time of 14mins 35sec
Importantly, however, in the season-long Pacemaker Challenge Matt McInerney now has 10 points, one more than Austin McNally who has a similar advantage over Mark Hodgins. There will be no mid-week race next week, due to the Majorca training camp but the event the following week will be a two-up 10 mile time trial.
Emmerdale Extravaganza
Club members, and their friends who intend taking part in the Emmerdale Extravaganza on the 7th June are now asked to register their entry. It is envisaged that on that morning many of our regular Saturday morning cyclists might want to cycle to the Folk Park instead of down the Peninsula and take part in this prestigious event. This event will certainly be of interest to the recreational cyclists and those who follow the ‘soaps’ and it is an excellent opportunity to raise much needed funds for The Anthony Nolan Trust.
Tour of the Ards
Ards Cycling Club must be congratulated on their excellent promotion of the Tour of the Ards race last weekend. The racing, which started in Newtownards and traveled around the peninsula in a clockwise direction, was fast and furious.
After several abortive attempts, a break was eventually established just outside Ballyhalbert. This group include two who should know these roads well – James McMaster and Liam Curran. By the time the break reached Kirkubbin they had a two minute’s advantage and it was here that Conor McAllister (Ballymena) and Stuart Henry (North Down) launched a counter attack. They were quickly joined by several riders, including Alan Lavery (North Down) and this chasing group quickly opened up a gap of one minute on the large main field.
As the line approached after sixty-four grueling miles Glen Kinning (Castlereagh) made the winning move and just managed to stay away from the fast finishing James McMaster. Happiest man of the day must have been third placed rider, Liam Curran (Curran Racing) who was a real power-house in the break and seems to be improving with every race.
Sam Craig
It was good to see our super-vet., Sam Craig pick up the veterans’ prize in the McCann Cup at Seskinore on Sunday. Sam is really coming into form and is beginning to put together some excellent results. At the other end of the age spectrum, young Nathan McLeer made the long journey to Drogheda on Sunday and was rewarded with an excellent 10th place in the Under-Sixteen race.
North Down Sports Awards
North Down Cycling Club were honoured on Friday night when one of their young members, Stuart Henry, received a prestigious merit award at the North Down Sports Awards event, in the Marine Court Hotel. The citation for Henry included his championship success at Northern Ireland, Ulster and All-Ireland level, as well as representing Ireland at the European Youth Olympics. The overall North Down Sports Personality of the Year went to champion golfer, Rory McIlroy.