Buller delighted with early win back in colours of Banbridge CC | Sticky Bottle

*John Buller, in yellow, follows Chris McGlinchey in the breakaway at today's Annaclone GP promoted by Banbridge CC (Photo: Sharon McFarland)*

One of a large number of young Irish cyclists in school or college but still chasing wins, John Buller got his season off to a fantastic start today.

Now back in the colours of his home club, Banbridge CC; Buller used his renowned sprint at the end of the Annaclone GP main event today to take victory.

He got clear in the winning breakaway and took victory in a sprint from that escape group; winning a race his own club was promoting.

Buller has taken
several big wins each year since his junior days when he was a stage winner at
the Junior Tour of Ireland.

And though he was very hopeful he would win today’s race once he got into the eight-man winning group, he told stickybottle did not rate his chances setting out today.

“It was a fairly unexpected win if I’m honest,” he said, adding he was especially pleased with his win during what is a busy time in college with his final year exams approaching.

“The race was fast from the start so we could catch the A3 and A2 bunches due to the handicap,” he explained of the six-lap event.

*Des Woods has a dig off the front of the bunch, marked by Nathan Keown now in the colours of Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo and with two riders up the road (Photo: Sharon McFarland)*

The A4 race came down to a sprint with Niall Murphy of Lakeland CC (far right) winning from Michael Meehan of CKR CC (centre) and Aaron Little of Clogher Valley Wheelers, on the far left (Photo: Sharon McFarland)

The scratch riders caught the A2 and A3 groups on the second and third laps, with the winning breakaway going clear towards the end of the fourth lap.

“After a few attempts the break formed with eight of us and it didn’t take long to gain an advantage so we knew that was the move of the day," said Buller.

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That breakaway was a real mix of youth and experience,
with quality through the group.

As well as Buller, also in the escape was Chris McGlinchey (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK) along with James Curry and Ryan Reilly (both Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo), Alan Bingham (Newry Wheelers), Gareth O’Neill (Caldwell Cycles) and Dean Harvey (VC Glendale).

*Donal Shearer and Ronan McLaughlin off the front of the bunch and chasing the breakaway (Photo: Sharon McFarland)*

*Buller looking delighted with his win (Photo: Sharon McFarland)*

“On the last lap we had almost a minute advantage on two chasers and I knew it was coming down to a sprint which I was happy to take on," said Buller.

“I left the
sprint late. Chris McGlinchey
kicked early within the last kilometre to cover a move from Ryan Reilly.

“And then when we hit 150 metres to go I opened up knowing I’d have a fair chance of the win.

“It was great to get the hands up in a Banbridge jersey again and at a home race so early in the season.

“To get a win so early in the season is a relief. Trying to balance final year college and cycling is hard enough so I’d told myself that to win at all this year is a bonus.”

Buller took the victory from Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport), with James Curry (Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo) in 3rd, Chris McGlinchey (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK) in 4th and Gareth O’Neill (Caldwell Cycles) in 5th.

In the A4 race the contest came down with a bunch sprint with Niall Murphy of Lakeland CC winning from Michael Meehan of CKR CC and Aaron Little of Clogher Valley Wheelers.