Gary Jeffers looked very strong when taking the win in Crumlin yesterday (Photo: Marian Lamb – Cycling Ulster)
Gary Jeffers (East Tyrone) has taken the main event at the Hewitt & Gilpin Phoenix GP promoted by Phoenix CC in Crumlin yesterday, Sunday.
The 23-year-old was part of the A1 group that gave away a two minute gap to the A2 bunch. But despite some strong and aggressive riding by the lead group early in the race, the gap was bridged with three laps completed and four remaining.
Jeffers managed to forge ahead alone in the closing stages as the race fragmented and he came home to win his first A1 race. Mark Buchanan (North Pole) took second to add to his third place from Saturday at the Annaclone GP.
Glenn Kinning (East Antrim Audi) was third with Alastair McCauley (Phoenix CC) in fourth, Saturday’s winner Marc Potts (Omagh Wheelers) in fifth and Paul Kane (Northern Dave Kane) in sixth.
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In the A3 race the spoils were shared by an eight-man breakaway, with JP Connolly (Strabane-Lifford) getting the verdict ahead of Peter McBride (Errigal). The promoting club was also represented on the A3 podium, with John Smyth coming home for third.
And again in the A4 race, Phoenix CC enjoyed success when Philip O’Neill took the bunch sprint that settled the event, finishing ahead of Dean Henderson (Strabane/Lifford) and David Hamilton (Curran Racing); the latter having won his event at the Annaclone GP on Saturday.
The women’s race saw a field of over 20 line out, with the organisers opting to handicap the event. However, the newcomers’ gap of two minutes was very quickly closed down by the stronger and more experienced riders behind.
Janine McNally (North Down) emerged victorious ahead of Hayley Priestly (La Lanterne Rouge) and Claire Gillespie (Ballymena Chain Reaction).
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Also on the packed schedule yesterday was the first race in the 2013 Time Square Jewellers Master Series, which attracted a 40-strong field.
Series newcomer Kevin McCrossan (Four Masters) put in a great turn of finishing power to take the win ahead of Stan Stewart and Michael Toland, both of promoting club Phoenix CC.
Phoenix GP Results
A1 / A2
1 Gary Jeffers (East Tyrone)
2 Mark Buchanan (North Pole CC)
3 Glenn Kinning (East Antrim)
4 Alastair McAuley (Phoenix CC)
5 Marc Potts (Omagh Wheelers)
6 Paul Kane (Northern Dave Kane)
7 Paul Vaughan (SportActive)
8 Rory Devlin (North Pole CC)
A3
1 JP Connelly (Strabane-Lifford)
2 Peter McBride (Errigal CC)
3 John Smyth (Phoenix CC)
4 Cathal Doyle (Carn Wheelers)
5 Lindsay Gordon (Bicycle Works-Scotland)
6 Angus Fyffe (Omagh Wheelers)
7 Lawrence Watson (Foyle CC)
8 Tommy Rafferty (Slane Cycles)
A4
1 Philip O’Neill (Phoenix CC)
2 Dean Henderson (Strabane/Lifford)
3 David Hamilton (Curran Racing)
4 Dermot Donaghy (Island Wheelers)
5 Tommy Doherty (Four Masters)
6 Donal Burns (Strabane/Lifford)
7 Paul Johnstone (East Antrim)
8 TBC (Maryland Wheelers)
Masters
1 Kevin McCrossan (Four Masters)
2 Stan Stewart (Phoenix CC)
3 Michael Tolan (Phoenix CC)
Women
1 Janine McNally (North Down)
2 Hayley Priestley (LaLanterne Rouge)
3 Claire Gillespie (Ballymena Chain Reaction)
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