The early start and cold wind did not deter the 160 riders who turned up this morning for the Tommy Givan Memorial road race promoted by Maryland Wheelers.

Th A4 race covered four laps of the rolly circuit and was aggressive from the start.

It is a amazing how desire can lift one's game and there were enough today in the bunch determined to gain points and the agressive riding proved this.

With Rás Dhun na nGall taking place in two weeks those hoping to take part badly needed to upgrade.

Among these was Kevin Houlihan of Errigal CC who required five points to join the ranks of the A3's. He travelled from Donegal to Hillsborough on a mission to capture those elusive points. His motivation helped to split the bunch in the closing metres allowing a small number of riders to open a sufficient gap on the bunch behind.

In the end Houlihan took the win by a tyre width ahead of the promoting club's Richard Megahey. Another rider on a mission to upgrade was TVR's new signing, Joshua Daly who dug deep to take third ahead of Phoenix CC's Alex Donald and thus gaining sufficient points to upgrade. Another rider for Donegal in June perhaps! Darren McCarter of Omagh Wheelers took fifth just ahead of Dunloy's Philip McGuigan.

West Down's David Cartmill however may not have won the race but felt like a winner as he finished in the bunch and was happy with his own performance.

The A Race was a fast and furious affair. A break developed early on which included useful riders such as East Antrim duo Gary Cranston and Glenn Kinning, Devon McIlwaine (Duffin Transport), Nigel Quigley (Bann Wheelers), Alastair Macauley and Mike Millar (Phoenix CC) and Aaron Baines (TVR) among others.

Coming in to the penultimate lap the aggressive style of Gary Cranston had split that break leaving Cranston, McIlwaine, Kinning and Paul Mulligan significantly ahead of the main bunch. On the line it was these four who contested the sprint with Mulligan of Eurocycles not only having the legs to win but with some additional motivation.

In 1996 John Mulligan (RIP), Paul's brother won this event with Paul taking second. Paul wanted to be able to dedicate the win to his brother so he went all out winning by a fraction from Cranston. This was a popular win with the spectators.

Rider of the day however must be Gary Cranston who was never far off the front and kept the break away.

Relative newcomer, Duffin Transport's Devon McIlwaine took third ahead of Kinning and thus moving to A2 category. The bunch were a minute down on the winners. Coming into the finish two riders broke away with Banbridge rider Gareth McKee taking fifth ahead of Ballymena's Simon Taggart. Gavin Magowan of Dromara CC took seventh spot easily ahead Niall O'Hagan of Duffin Transport.

Many thanks to Maryland Wheelers for a well organised event with plenty of soup and stomach filling baps back at the Hillsborough Village Centre. Thanks also to the ambulance and first aid crew whose services were unfortunately required. A crash occured in the penultimate lap of the A4 race which necessitated two riders being taken to hospital. Cycling Uster wishes both riders a speedy recovery.

Thanks also to Comms for the day Aaron Wallace and Martin Lees.

Report and Pics Marian Lamb

Results A Race - Tommy Givan Memorial 100+km

1.Paul Mulligan (Eurocycles)
2.Gary Cranston (East Atrim Audi)
3.Devon McIlwaine (Duffin Transport)
4.Glenn Kinning (East Antrim Audi)
5.Gareth McKee (Banbridge CC)
6.Simon Taggart (Ballymena Chain Reaction)
7.Gavin Magiwan (Dromara CC)
8.Nial O'Hagan (Duffin Transport)
9.Nigel Quigley (Bann Wheelers)
10.Sean McGreevy (Newry Wheelers)

Results B Race - Tommy Givan Memorial 60km

1.Kevin Houlihan (errigal CC)
2.Richard Megahey (Maryland Wheelers)
3.Joshua Daly (Team Vision Racing)
4.Alex Donald (Phoenix CC)
5.Darren McCarter (Omagh Wheelers)
6.Philip McGuigan (Dunloy CC)