Mid Ulster Grand Prix

There was a full programme of racing today when Harps CC promoted their annual Mid Ulster GP. Carn were represented in both the Youth and Women’s races in the morning events.

The U14’s had to do two laps of the course. Cahir Doyle had been made making efforts all day to get away, and tried to go on the finishing straight and got a great third position in the sprint.

The U 12’s had one lap to complete and they stayed fairly intact until half a mile from the finish with Sara Elder coming home in 6^th position.

Despite the fact that there was a National Women’s series race on in Bohermeen almost twenty women showed up for the womans race today. Although the pace was high the women stayed together with the result being decided by a bunch sprint with Mairead making an early break and coming very close to her first win of the season but still finished in an impressive 3^rd position today.

In the afternoon there were two races on offer, with Shane Elder, Martin Bradley, Padraig Dougan, Tomas McElwee and Daryl Mullan all enter in the A4 race, with 10 Carn men entered in the A3 race.

The A4 race saw some hard riding by the bunch but no one managed to get away. Shane and Martin both made efforts to get away but Martin was unlucky to get put into the hedge and almost managed to get back on again, but no results on the day, and everyone home safe.

In the A1/A2/A3/JNR Race, the A1’s and A2’s had to contend with a 4 min handicap to the A3’s and Juniors, and they worked hard together to close the gap. When they caught, they found Patrick Kelly was clear of the bunch, with a few others making the effort to make their way over to him, including Mickey Scullion. Nicky Gormley was unlucky to puncture early on which put an end to his race. When Johnny Talyor managed to get into a break with some other very string riders the rest of the carn men knew they had to make an effort to make their way over or the gap was only going to get bigger and the race would be over for them very soon. Firstly Joe McCrory and Marc Heaney made the effort with 2 other riders, but the group soon closed them down again. Marc was really determined and with Eunan McAleese for company this time, they manage to get into a decent size group and did manage to make their way over to the leaders. As they came to the finish all 3 Carn men in the break finished strongly, with Marc coming home in 6^th, and from the photos it looks like JT Eunan both made it into the top 10. The rest of the guys came home with the bunch and glad to see the end of a tough days racing with very changeable weather throughout, from bright sunshine to heavy hail and rain.

Harps CC put on a great day’s racing and the club had fielded a huge number of marshals who were well placed throughout the course. Harps also provided a great range of refreshments after the race which was well received by everyone.

Under 12 Results
6^th - Sara Elder (Carn Wheelers)

Under 14 Results
3^rd - Cahir Doyle (Carn Wheelers

Women’s Results
3^rd - Mairead McGurk
       

A Race Results

6^th - Marc Heaney

9^th – Johnny Taylor (TBC)

10^th – Eunan McAleese (TBC)