Full results all races John Moore Memorial, Co Down

The John Moore Memorial races have added a chapter to the early season action on the home front. Roger Aiken (ASEA-Wheelworx) was a very comfortable winner this afternoon. (Photo: Toby Watson)

By Brian Canty

Roger Aiken made it two wins in as many weeks today, Saturday, when he won a cracking John Moore Memorial.

The ASEA-Wheelworx man was victorious in the Annaclone GP last week and he followed that up in fine style today - and he has teammate Adam Armstrong to thank in no small way.

Aiken was a clear winner after he outsprinted the remainder of the break that was composed of an initial group of five and another clutch of men who joined them from behind.

The race saw the A1 scratch group start three minutes behind the A2 men who were a further three minutes behind the A3, junior and masters categories combined.

But due to some savage riding by an incredibly strong scratch group, it was largely all back together by the midway point of the 90-kilometre contest.

A small group of A3 men had clipped off the front before the handicapped groups merged but they too didn't stay too long out front to be deemed dangerous.

As soon as the catch was made, Aiken and a host of others attacked - the An Post Chainreaction pair of Angus Fyffe and Daniel Stewart managing to escape along with flying junior Stuart Thompson (Spires CC) and Aiken.

That quintet rode well but they were soon caught by a group from behind and in there was the aforementioned Armstrong.

As he wasn't obliged to ride with the group as he rode across, he was perhaps slightly fresher than those with him and he wasted no time in attacking, stringing out a bunch that now had the likes of Craig Rea (Phoenix CC), Chris McGlinchey (ChainReaction) and Ronan McLaughlin.

Lindsay Watson tried going long in pursuit of the win but his brave effort was reeled in and when the action ceased briefly, Aiken struck out and galloped up the hill to the line for a marvellous win, with McGlinchey second once more.