James Curry is now riding for VC La Pomme Marseille in France. But he is back in Ireland for a short break and is in great form; winning the Mid Ulster GP (Photo: The Belgian Project)

Mid Ulster GP promoted by Harps Cycling Club

James Curry has won the Mid Ulster GP during a short visit home from France where he is based this year.

Having begun his racing with Banbridge CC, the talented U23 rider is now riding for top French domestic squad VC La Pomme Marseille.

And in the closing stages in Cookstown today he found himself out front with man who knows all about racing in Europe; Ronan McLaughlin.

However, the former An Post-Chainreaction rider was unable to keep Curry at bay close to the finish.

It was the 20-year-old who pulled clear solo to take what proved to be a strong victory.

Curry, McLaughlin and teenager Cathir Doyle (Powerhouse Sport) were the men of the race; a combined A1, A2 and A3 handicapped event.

The winner and runner-up were off in the A1 group and they worked well in the early part of the race; six laps of a circuit of just over 16km.

The cooperation in the scratch group soon mopped up the A2s followed by the limit riders.

However, when the catch was made a group of around six clipped off the front and pulled out a gap.

On the third lap Curry attacked after them, bringing McLaughlin and young Doyle with him. They caught those head and rode with them for around one lap.

With two loops of the circuit remaining it was former elite international McLaughlin who took the initiative.

He attacked and soon just three were leading; McLaughlin, Doyle and eventual winner James Curry.

And on the final lap it was again McLaughlin who forced it. He attacked and Doyle lost his place in the lead trio, leaving just two out front.

Curry would then attack McLaughlin on an incline just a few kilometres from the finish.

He eked out a gap and that’s the way it would stage; Curry taking the win from McLaughlin with Doyle holding his shape to claim 3^rd place.

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It was the second time in two days McLaughlin had been runner-up. He also filled that position on Saturday when Gary Donaldson (Caldwell Cycles) won the Wallace Caldwell Memorial, with Curry in 3rd.

Best of the rest in today's Mid Ulster GP was Thomas Martin; now riding for Clann Eireann and coming into some good form.

He filled 4^th position from McLaughlin’s Viner-Caremark-Pactimo team mate Matteo Cigala and Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport).

Johnny Taylor of Carn Wheelers claimed 7^th, followed by Kevin McKinney (Armagh CC). Next came John Morton of promoting club Harps CC.

And it fell to junior rider Conor Halvey (NRPT-Chill Insurance) to round out the top 10 in the main event.

In the women’s race – part of the Cycling Ulster league – top junior rider Clodagh Gallagher (AAA) took victory from Lisa Lamont (Mellow Velo).

Next came Mandy Johnston (Team Madigan) and then Tonya Moran (Foyle CC) and Selina Sweeney (Termon Wheelers).

The A4 race was won by Stuart McCaughey (Phoenix CC) from John Davidson (VC Iveagh) and Michael Flood (Emyvale CC).

Sun, April 22nd: Mid-Ulster GP

Promoted by Harps CC

Cookstown, Co Tyrone

A1-A2-A3 Mid Ulster GP (100km)

1. James Curry VC La Pomme
2. Ronan McLaughlin Viner-Caremark-Pactimo
3. Cathir Doyle Powerhouse Sport
4. Thomas Martin Clann Eireann
5. Matteo Cigala Viner-Caremark -Pactimo
6. Lindsay Watson Powerhouse Sport
7. Johnny Taylor Carn Wheelers
8. Kevin McKinney Armagh CC
9. John Morton Harps CC
10. Conor Halvey NRPT-Chill Insurance

A4 Terry Sheehy Memorial (65km)

1. Stuart McCaughey Phoenix CC
2. John Davidson VC Iveagh
3. Michael Flood Emyvale CC
4. Darren Johnston Phoenix CC
5. Neil McGeown East Tyrone CC
6. Barry Mullin Termon Wheelers
7. Peter Bailey Dromore CC
8. Colin Abernathy VC Iveagh
9. Baz Kirkland Island Wheelers
10. James McMahon Banbridge CC

Cycling Ulster Woman’s League

1. Clodagh Gallagher AAA
2. Lisa Lamont Mellow Velo
3. Mandy Johnston Team Madigan
4. Tonya Moran Foyle CC
5. Selina Sweeney Termon Wheelers
6. Janine Gordon Ballymena RC
7. Patricia White Spires CC
8. Samantha Convery Carn Wheelers
9. Jane Wilkinson Bann Wheelers
10. Kathy Kerr Harps CC

Youth Races

U16 Boys

1. Matthew Devins Yeats County
2. Chris Neil Banbridge CC
3. Ciaran Dixon McConvey Cycles
4. Darren Rafferty Island Wheelers
5. Ciaran McGettigan Errigal CC

U16 Girls

1. Ellie Kelso East Tyrone CC
2. Maria Simmons The Bike House
3. Maria McAllister Island Wheelers

U14 Boys

1. Scott Roberts McConvey Cycles
2. Shea O’Kane Phoenix CC
3. Gary Kelly Four Masters
4. Neil Kelso East Tyrone CC
5. Chris Stevenson Banbridge CC

U14 Girls

1. Rachael White North Down
2. Katie McCowly Strabane Lifford CC

U12 Boys

1. Seth Dunwoody Orchard CC
2. Sam Coleman Orchard CC
3. Adam Rafferty Island Wheelers
4. Karl Rourke Ards CC