2022 Madigan Cycles GP

Madigan Cycles GP, Carrickfergus, 13th August 2022.

Luke Smith from Co.Meath (Moynalty CC) wins the 31st edition of the Madigan Cycles GP at a sunny Carrickfergus in Co.Antrim on Saturday 13th August.

The 54-mile race on the testing Kilroot circuit in very hot conditions seen a high number of dropouts, but all the big hitters were still in there to contest a sprint for the finish line after three 18-miles / 29K laps of hard racing. A breakaway group formed on the first lap and remained out front until well into the third lap when Luke, Chris McGlinchey, Mark Downing, Mark Ginley, Fergus Callahan and Gareth O'Neill broke clear and held a 10 seconds advantage on the chasing pack for several miles until the bottom of the fast decent of Beltoy Road where the gap narrowed to 4 seconds. Taking the Kilroot left hander onto the incline finishing straight of 250 meters it was all to play for, Mark Downing led out the sprint and held on well until 70 metres from the finish line when Luke powered ahead to claim the win by a wheel from Chris and Mark Downing a close third, Mark Ginley led in the rest of the sprinters taking fourth place. Sean Og Harriggan an A2 rider rode superbly well in with top company to finish in 9th place and take the 1st unplaced A2 prize.

There was absolutely no let up in the high pace these top riders were setting and no quarter was given. It was a superb toe to toe last man standing race in an excellent time of 2 hours 7 minutes and 29 seconds around this hilly course.

Thank you very much to long-time sponsor Ronnie McKeegan of Madigan Cycles who has kindly sponsored this race for 31-years. Ronnie who is in his 80th year is as keen as ever and was there watching this great talent.

Thanks also to our additional sponsors GM Energy Management, CSC Concrete Cutting, Supporting Sport and Richard Greer Car Sales Doagh.

Thanks to Sharon McFarland for a superb job with Photo Finish and to Commissaires Jonny Beers, Drew Murray, and Philip Dickinson for their great work. Thanks the PSNI Officers, St Johns First Aid, Mid and East Antrim Council and to all the Marshals, Drivers and Catering by Bill Johnston who along with the Riders, Cycling Ulster, Cycling Ireland, Dany Blondeel's - Belguim Project Cycling News, Sticky Bottle Cycling News you all made this event a big success.

Davy Ross (Team Madigan CC Secretary).

Results:

A1/A2 Race 54-miles:

1 Luke Smith Moynalty CC 2hrs 07mins 29secs (also lap1&2 KOH)

2 Chris McGlinchey Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus

3 Mark Downing All Human / Velo Revolution RT

4 Mark Ginley Four Masters

5 Fergus Callaghan Four Masters

6 Gareth O’Neill Team Caldwell Cycles

7 Conor McCann Inspired Cycling

8 Nathan Mullan Dromara CC

9 Sean Og Harriggan Foyle CC

10 Paul Doherty Four Masters

1st Unplaced A2 Sean Og Harrigan Foyle CC

1st Unplaced Team Madigan rider was Gareth Kirkwood

A3 Race 36-miles:

1 Mark Allen Ards CC (also 1st in K.O.H.).

2 Rory Gamble Lakeland CC

3 Paul Smith Banbridge CC

4 Mark Kendall Banbridge CC

5 Sean Gallagher Four Masters (1st Junior)

6 Peter Elliott VC Iveagh

7 Nigel Watt Bann Wheelers

8 Jonathan Traynor North Down CC

9 Declan Rodgers Glens CC

A4 Race 36-miles:

1 Carl Lowry Team Madigan CC (also 1st in KOH)

2 Simon Ridings Ards CC

3 Kevin McGavigan Four Masters

4 Michael Anderson Roe Valley CC

5 Ben Malone Velo Club Balrothery

6 Nicolas Harris Dublin Wheelers

Masters Race 36-miles:

1 Stephen Downey Carn Wheelers

2 Aidan Cunningham Cuchulainn CC

3 Andrew Todd Ballymena RC

4 Jonny Webb North Down CC

Ladies Race 36-miles:

1 Caira Havern Newry Wheelers

2 Teresa Parr Newry Wheelers

3 Eleana Wallace Harps CC