Jude Sands claimed the John Haldane Memorial in Newry today after winning a three-up sprint to the line at the end of a rain-soaked contest. The Newry Wheelers man took the spoils for the host club for the first time since 1993 (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Jude Sands took a big scalp today when he won the John Haldane Memorial in Newry, beating Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport) to the line on a rain-soaked afternoon.
The Newry Wheelers man said he knew he had to go early in the sprint that decided it because Watson has a very useful kick that has won him plenty races in the past.
“It felt great to get the win, especially on home ground and to be the first Newry Wheeler to win the Haldane since 1993,” said the 24-year old Sports Science student afterwards.
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Sands started the day in the scratch group but with the help of Watson and Bryan McCrystal (Velo Revolution) they blazed across the three-minute gap to the A2 riders.
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“We had a good group but Bryan got a puncture so myself and Lindsay caught the A2s and caught two more up the road at 30 seconds.”
Sands managed to escape the A2 riders with Watson and Dominic McCartan (Apollo CC) who did very well to stay out front.
And so it came down to a three-up sprint.
“When the sprint was coming I went early as I knew Lindsay was an explosive rider and hard to beat. I just had enough to get to the line in time.”
Sands’ last big win was the Bangor Crit last year when he took the scalp of national champion Mark Dowling.
And after today’s win he’s keen to push on and have a crack at some stage racing over Easter to test his form ahead of bigger battles down the line.
“My goals for the year now would be to do well in Tour of the North and the Tour of Ulster. I’m looking forward to stage racing again.”
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