Lindsay Watson of Caldwell Powerhouse leads junior rider James Armstrong of U19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant in the closing stages of the Ulster Criterium Championships (Photo: David McVeigh-Belgian Progect)
Lindsay Watson (Caldwell Powerhouse) and then first-year junior James Armstrong were the men of the race at last year’s Ulster Criterium Championships, though while Watson won, Armstrong finished out of the medals.
But last night when they got away in a two-man move during the title race in Newtownards, Co Down, they made it a stick, surviving out front to take the medals.
The name on the top step was the same; Watson retaining the title. But Armstrong (U19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant) at least got to cross the line in 2nd place and lift the junior title.
Armstrong had made the break in the closing stages of the contest, going solo and pulling out an advantage on his own, before being joined by Watson, who just beat him in a close sprint.]
However, because Armstrong is still a junior, he did not get the senior category silver medal. That instead went to Travis Harkness (Unattached).
Harkness was 3rd over the line after winning the bunch sprint from Gary Donaldson, the latter making it a 1-3 for Caldwell Powerhouse.
The women’s title was won by Gabrielle Fox (Toyota Valencia SAV) from Elena Wallace (Harps CC) and Jemma Speers) North Down Cycling Club).
A minute’s silence was observed before the start of the race in honour of international junior Shane O’Brien, who was so sadly killed out riding his bike on Tuesday in Co Waterford.
Wed, June 17th | Ards Criterium & Ulster Champs
Newtownards, Co Down
Promoted by Ards Cycling Club
Senior Men’s Podium
Lindsay Watson Caldwell Powerhouse Racing
Travis Harkness Unattached Ulster
Gary Donaldson Caldwell Powerhouse Racing
Senior Women’s Podium
Gabrielle Fox Toyota Valencia SAV
Elena Wallace Harps CC
Jemma Speers North Down Cycling Club
Junior Men’s Podium
James Armstrong Unattached Ulster
Curtis McKee Spellman-Dublin Port
Caleb McGreevy Region Sud Cycling Academy
Junior Women
Emer Heverin Camsmajaco
Women M40
Rachel Jones Ballymena Road Club
Men M40 Podium
Stephen Hanna Dromara Cycling Club
Paul Smith Banbridge Cycling Club
Martin Hughes Ballymena Road Club
Men M45 Podium
Gerard Craig VC Glendale
Aaron Parks Banbridge Cycling Club
Yesten Smith North Down Cycling Club
Men M50 Podium
Paul Ferguson North Down Cycling Club
Glen Curry Ards CC
David Armstrong VC Glendale
Men M55 Podium
Ronnie Smith Dromara Cycling Club
Mark Baird Dromore CC
Adrian Moore North Down Cycling Club
Men M60
Alan Watson Dromara Cycling Club
Men M65
Gerry Kelly Carn Wheelers
Men M70
Tom Henry North Down Cycling Club
Men M75
Carl Fullerton Donegal Bay Cycling Club
Girls U16 Podium
Aoife Craig VC Glendale
Ava Baker Breffni Wheelers
Boys U16 Podium
Dylan Finnegan Square Wheels
Darragh Young Apollo Cycling Team.
Girls U14 Podium
Kiyomi Tosh Ballymena Road Club
Boys U14 Podium
Billy Lord Breffni Wheelers
Jamie Sherlock Square Wheels
Nathan Baker Breffni Wheelers