The Champion of Champions 25 mile time, which had to be cancelled on 11 August due to a road traffic accident on the course, will now take place on Sunday 22nd September 2019.

All the other details remain the same – the event will still take place on the Portaferry Road, with sign on in the Londonderry Park car park from 8.30 and first rider off at 9.30.

Here’s a link to a story about the very first CoC in 1990. And below, we have the second installment in the story, from COC2 in 1991.

Champion of Champions 2

Following his defeat in 1990, Chris Boardman was keen to return to Newtownards in 1991 and get his revenge against Graeme Obree.

Added to this rivalry was Phil Cassidy (Navan RC), who had taken a minute off Graeme’s record at the Irish 25 championships later in 1990 with 52:41.

The scene was set for a second epic encounter. McCaig Collim Heating and Ventilation and Harry Shaw Insulation and BA once again came on board as generous and enthusiastic sponsors.

First to start was Phil, who recorded an impressive 54:35 on a windy morning. Next was Chris, who made light of the conditions to smash the Irish all-comers record with 52:05.

As winner the previous year, Graeme was last man off. He also went faster, but finished exactly a minute behind Chris on 53:05. It was one win apiece.

Pictured are (from top left), Mike McConaghy (club sponsor), Rab Collim (sponsor), Matthew Postle (Welsh Champion), Chris Boardman (winner), Harry Shaw (sponsor), Ian Falls (sponsor), and bottom left Bobby Magreechan (chairman).

Fans look at Obree’s home made bike in awe.

A snippet from the sign-on sheet, and a couple of very special signatures