Carn Wheelers' Marc Heaney takes win at Bann Valley

Marc Heaney retained the winners trophy for Carn Wheelers at the Bann valley Classic in Clady today.  The first year junior rider impressed with his sprinting prowess taking victory in a hotly contested race.  

Sunday 12th April, saw 160 cyclists decend on the normally quiet village of Clady for the annual Bann Valley Classic road race. In the main A2/3 race Carn Wheelers were keen to hold onto the Mick Clarke Memorial Cup won in 2014 by Ali Gribbon. The A2/3 race set off at 2pm with a strong line up of Carn men, including Eunan McAleese, Nicky Gormley, Dessie Smith, Marc Heaney, Micky Scullion, Sean Beadley, Kelly brothers Patrick & Michael, Johnny McComney and Gerard Scullion. The group stayed fairly compacted for the majority of the first lap with Marc Heaney going off the front of the group at the start of the second lap accompanied by an East Antim rider, this break was soon brought back but the Carn men wern't going to be contained with Nicky Gormley attacking on the third lap on the run into Innishrush, again the bunch reacted and brought the group back together, Marc attacked again soon after to test the water and see if the bunch would react again, which they did; However, as soon as they all came together Eunan attacked to open up a gap to the chasing pack and was then joined by Marc, the two lads worked well but just couldn't stay away. Early in lap five of the six lap race, six riders broke away and opened up a healthy 10sec lead on the chasing pack, Carn's Paddy Kelly was in this mix and was looking strong. During the last lap the bunch again reacted catch the six leaders and set up a bunch sprint of 80 riders racing for the line. The finish line was preceded by a sharp incline then a downhill sprint to the line, using the hill to his advantage Marc seized the opportunity, squeezed through a gap and broke off from the rest of the peloton, he managed to open up a 1-2 sec advantage which gave him enough of a cushion to hold his advantage and take the first win of his career, the remaining Carn men having all worked hard towards retaining the cup all finished in the bunch.

Carn also had a strong line up in the A4 race, including Daryl Mullan, Dean Lockhart, Martin Bradley, Shane Elder, Tony O'Doherty & Nigel Gibson with Mairead McGurk in the ladies race. Dean attacked off the front of the bunch on lap 4 of the 5 lap race and opens up a healthy lead which the bunch who were slow to react reeling him back in with less than a lap to go, all the riders finished in the main bunch.

Congratulations to all cyclists who participated in the races, and thanks to all the members and the committee of Bann Valley CC for a successful race meeting.

Carn Wheelers.