Brennan wins Glens Time Trial for first time

Sunday, June 22, 2014
Ballymena Road Club – Chain Reaction Cycles – held their annual Grand Prix of the Glens time trial, as part of the Northstone sponsored series of club races, last Wednesday evening. 
A band parade in Broughshane meant that the race was to start at the "Three trees” instead of the traditional starting point at the Ecos roundabout. The same situation had arisen in 2013 so it meant an opportunity for a "year on year” comparison of performances. Conditions were favourable on Wednesday and nearly all the entrants beat their 2013 times.

Nineteen riders lined up at the start on the Carnlough road in Broughshane and they faced a route which took in Carnlough, the Coast road to Waterfoot and then the near six miles ascent of Glenariff glen. The final miles were in through Cargan, Martinstown and Rathkenny before the left turn on to Ballygarvey road and the finish back at Broughshane.
Steven Workman had dominated this race in recent seasons having won in 2010 2012 and 2013 but he was denied a fourth win despite being 1 minute 21 seconds faster than last year.
Matthew Brennan, third in 2013, with 1 hour 40 minutes 57 seconds, stepped up to the mark this year and posted an excellent time of 1.36.17 to take the Tommy Talbot cup silverware for the first time.

Workman recorded 1 hour 37 minutes 02 seconds to take second place with the rejuvenated Sean Wright in third place with 1.42.03. Eileen Burns was fastest of the ladies with 1.50.14 while Eileen’s husband Jason won the handicap section, having recorded a personal best 1.45.03.
Results – fastest (1) Matthew Brennan 1-36-17 (2) Steven Workman 1-37-02 (3) Sean Wright 1-42-03 (4) Ryan Shaw 1-43-35 (5) Ryan Currie 1-44-06 (6) Jason Burns 1-45-03 (7) Nigel Kernohan 1-45-13 (8) Eileen Burns 1.50.14 (9) George Graham 1-50-46 (10) Martin Ruddy 1-50-50 (11) Karl Taylor 1-51-07 (12) Stephen Dempsey 1-52-23 (13) Clifford Grant 1-53-01 (14) Quinton McFall  1.54.51 (15) Beresford Millar 2-25-19.
Visitors (1) G McNally (Bann Valley) 1.42.43 (2) Uel Cunningham (Ballymoney) 1-42-59 (3) D McElfatrick (Bann Valley) 1-49-18
Handicap (1) Jason Burns 1-24-13 = (2) and (3) Ryan Shaw and Eileen Burns 1.38.56 (4) M Brennan 1-40-20 (5) M Ruddy 1-40-40 (6) N Kernohan 1-42-21

Matthew Brennan’s winning performance wasn’t a great surprise as he has a good record in this event.
The Glens’ circuit is very much a "roadman’s’ course and suits a lightweight rider such as Brennan.
The win was always on the cards for Matthew who was third when Steven Workman first won in 2010. He was runner up to Workman in 2012 and then third last year.
Matthew was naturally delighted to finally get his hands on the silverware.
"I am delighted to have won the Glens Time Trial. I knew, going into it, 
that I had pretty good form and would be competitive, but I did not 
think I would have been challenging for the win. 
I knew Steven Workman would be a hard man to beat! 
Starting off towards Carnlough was tough in the wind, but I passed two or three strong riders on the way out. Once on the coast the wind was straight in my face, and at times my speed was well below 20mph. It was only once I turned on to Waterfoot climb and was keeping a high average that I knew I was having a good night. I knew I had to give it everything to the top of Waterfoot, because everyone can hold a really high speed on the run in back to Ballymena, so it 
would be harder to put time into them then. I had my Garmin on, but 
hadn't actually looked at my time overall until the finish. Once over 
the line I knew my time was fast, however I was surprised to have won." Added Matthew.