John Buller wins Noel Teggart Memorial in Banbridge | Sticky Bottle

Noel Teggart Memorial: John Buller may not be riding for Banbridge Cycling Club this year, but this was a home win and a very popular one (All photos by Toby Watson)

One of the emerging riders on the home scene, John Buller
has scalped a quality breakaway to win the Noel Teggart Memorial.

Promoted by his former club Banbridge CC, Buller scored
his victory very much in front of a home crowd. And his delight at taking this
particular win was clear to see.

Another reason to smile was the horsepower in the line-up
he forced into the minor placings.

They included Lindsay Watson (PowerHouse Sport), Dave
Watson (Bike House), Marcus Christie (PSBR) and Jody Wright (Phoenix CC).

While there was plenty of attacking from that front group
coming in the road to the finish today, Buller did his best to cover the moves
but keep his powder as dry as possible.

A double stage winner in the Junior Tour of Ireland a couple of years ago, he is a noted sprinter and was hoping for a sprint today.

Eventual winner Buller leads the breakaway in the main event from Ronan McLaughlin, Marcus Christie, Sean McIntyre, Dave Watson, Darragh McCarter, Angus Fyffe and Alan Bingham (Photo: Toby Watson)

Newry's Kevin Lynch on the attack, tracked by Caldwell's Angus Fyffe

Once John Buller he got a run at the line he showed he can put it together at the end of a tough contest going toe to toe with some of the best elite riders in the country.

The decisive move went today with three laps remaining
when about a dozen riders broke clear.

And as that group was big for a breakaway, the aggression
continued up front as it pulled clear.

Marcus Christie (PSBR), who won the race last year, was
especially active; attacking repeatedly to try and get clear for another solo
win.

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The attacks took their toll and the group soon whittled
down to five. And while they worked well together, the final 10km was characterised
by constant attacks.

However, the riders cancelled each other out, with Buller
biding his time and pulling the trigger in some style for a clear win at the
finish.

He took it from yesterday’s Tommy Givan Cup winner Lindsay Watson, with Dave Watson 3rd. Then came Wright, 3rd yesterday, and Christie.

Jonny Roberts takes the A3 race from a five-man breakaway

Marc Allen of Ards CC (centre) breaks the hearts of VC Glendale in the A4 race

In the A3 race, promoting club Banbridge CC celebrated victory via Jonny Roberts.

He was best in the sprint to the line from a five-man group, with Dylan Traynor (Vitus-Chill-NRPT) next.

Rounding out the podium was Ciaran Cahoon (Clann Eireann),
from Ciaran Dixon (Type 1 Juniors) and Lawrence McCabe (Newry Wheelers CC).

The A4 contest
came down to a sprint from a large bunch, with Marc Allen of Ards Cycling Club
just getting the verdict over Conor Fitzgerald of VC Glendale.

And it was
Fitzgerald’s team mates who took 3rd and 4th; Adam Boyd and Ireneusz
Bartkow.