Family affair for Stewarts in Annaclone GP main event; newcomer Kennedy takes A4 race

Daniel Stewart (East Antrim) wins the A race ahead of his uncle Brian Stewart (Phoenix)

Second year junior Daniel Stewart (East Antrim) has won the season opener in Ulster; the Annaclone GP in Co Down today, Saturday.

He capitalised on some very organised riding by the A3 and junior group, which managed to hold off the A1 riders, who simply had too much work to do to overcome the seven-and-a-half minutes handicap over the 40 mile race.

The A3’s and juniors were off first, with a two-and-a-half minute lead over the A2’s. There was then a further five minute gap back to the A1 riders.

While the eight mile lap was over some rolling roads, the race simply proved too fast and short, and the A3 and junior group too organised, for it all to come together. The scratch group closed most of the gap but they never really looked like getting on terms.

At the finish, teenager Daniel Stewart took the bull by the horns and galloped in with great confidence to hold off the rest of the group to take victory. His uncle Brian Stewart (Phoenix) was next best, taking second place.

The Stewart duo were followed by: Stephen Beck (East Antrim), Tony Boyle (Slane Cycles), Connor Hanna (North Down CC) and Gareth Murray (Ards CC).

In the A4 race - a massed start event - there was some aggressive riding throughout, but none of the escapes had the fire power to build up a big enough lead on the early season attentive bunch and drive it all the way to the finish.

Gary McKee (VC Glendale) was one of the main animators of the race, making a number of efforts that in the end came to nothing. The most threatening move was perhaps that from Thomas Rafferty (Slane Cycles) who took advantage of a stall on the final lap to have a solo go and build a lead of close to 30 seconds.

However, while that break looked promising for a time some counter-attacking in the group behind closed him down and set up a bunch sprint finale.

Racing newcomer Peter Kennedy (East Antrim) didn’t need a written invitation when he got a whiff of the finish line; powering home for a very good win. He was followed by John Kernaghan (West Down), with Anthony Quinn of Dromara rounding off the podium.

See full results and set of photos below.

All photos come courtesy of Marian Lamb, Ulster Cycling

Travers Engineering Annaclone GP

Promoting club: Banbridge CC.

A1s, A2s, A3s combined handicap – 40 miles
1 Daniel Stewart East Antrim CC
2 Brian Stewart Phoenix CC
3 Stephen Beck East Antrim CC
4 Tony Boyle Slane Cycles
5 Connor Hanna North Down CC
6 Gareth Murray Ards CC

A4s
1 Peter Kennedy East Antrim CC
2 John Kernaghan West Down Wheelers
3 Anthony Quinn Dromara CC
4 Stephen Fletcher East Antrim CC
5 Ian Walker West Down Wheeelers
6 Gareth Rogers Banbridge CC