Brennan pleased with Red Hand Trophy result

Afterwards Matthew said “The race started fast and I felt pretty good. I bridged across to the initial breakaway up into Clough, but we were caught before the top.

“I paid for it and was hurting for a few miles afterwards, which is when the first breakaway went clear. The pace was fast the whole way until about 5 miles from Ballycastle, where it eased slightly and I just attacked.

“After a minute or two a few more came across. Eventually we got a good group going and by the climb up Vanishing Lakes I knew we were away for the day.

“However, round the coast everyone stopped working and it was then just attack after attack. I felt a cramp was coming and at about halfway up the glen from Carnlough I cramped big time.

“I was happy to see a few others also dropping out of the breakaway and managed to grit my teeth and hold their wheels to the top.

“Then it was just a case of getting home before the bunch caught us, which we managed. I was pretty happy with how I did overall.”

Nigel Kernohan was race organiser on the day and once again he did a terrific job.

Nigel said: “Many thanks to everyone who gave so generously of their time to make the race such a success. There were motor cycle marshals as well as official cars and static marshals.

“Many thanks to the commissaires and time keepers for doing a splendid job officiating at the Red Hand not to mention all the volunteers including the PSNI who made it a success, and also to the Club’s race secretary David Dougan for all his pre-event planning.

“The PSNI had a team of motor cyclists who safely escorted the riders throughout the event. Thanks to goes to the drivers of the lead cars, marshals cars, Commissaires cars, first aid, neutral service, broom wagon, car park attendants and to club sponsors Chain Reaction Cycles.

Well done to Andrew Wills and team who compiled the results and of course to the ladies who provided the post-race refreshments

“We had just one incident with Ballymena Road Club Chain Reaction Cycles rider Clifford Grant crashing.

“Thankfully he is home resting but he has broken ribs, shoulder and elbow. We wish Clifford a speedy recovery,” added Nigel.

CLUB NEWS

Last week’s race in the Northstone series was to have been the Combat Cancer cup 25 miles time trial at Woodgreen. Unfortunately the race had to be postponed as the wet conditions, which caused poor visibility and low light, before the scheduled starting time were deemed to be too dangerous for racing.

This week’s race on Wednesday 3rd June it’s the Sammy Connor cup 33 miles “scratch” mass start, road race.