Peden eclipses Boardman – Ards Cycling Club

A pensive George Peden at the start contemplates the task ahead.

In an historic morning on the Portaferry Road, George Peden (Prologue) beat Chris Boardman’s 27 year old Champions of Champions course record by 7 seconds with the amazing time of 49:29. Marcus Christie (Perf Swim) also did a superb time of 50:13 to claim the third fastest time ever on the sporting 25 mile course.

With one and a half miles to go, George had exactly 3 minutes left to break Boardman’s record – it was going to be very close…

Chris Board (Kodak) set the previous record of 49:36 in 1993 (photo - The Times)

Chris Boardman (Kodak) set the previous record of 49:36 in 1993 (photo – The Times)

To put these times in perspective, when Chris Boardman set the record in 1993, he was the current Olympic 4000m champion, and was just embarking on a very successful professional career. He beat Graeme Obree on the day, but Graeme went on to win the world 4000m championships a couple of weeks later, setting a new world record.

Marcus Christie has first rider off. All riders had to start with one foot on the floor.

It was a great morning for time trialling – warm, with just a gentle off shore breeze. This year’s event was lower key than usual, and although just 30 riders started the top time trialists from across Ireland were present. The faster riders were started first to try and avoid the worst of the traffic and the risk of delays. Despite this, George was slowed slightly in Greyabbey.

George’s starting effort

Marcus powers towards the finish, with Scrabo Tower in the distance

Behind the first two, strong man and Ras legend Bryan McCrystal (Bellurgan) was third in 51:22, just getting the better of top roadman Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse). World 50-54 masters champion Greg Swinand (Dan Morrisey) was fifth with 52:39.

Bryan was soon up to full speed

Lindsay on the start line was probably not expecting to be caught for two minutes by George, but he still finished a very respectable fourth. He also took the honorary Ards CC best shoe award.

Greg piles on the pressure with just over a mile to go

Eileen Burns (Ballymena) was once again fastest woman, although the anticipated dual with Kelly Murphy (Storey) failed to materialise when Kelly unfortunately punctured.

Eileen Burns clearly enjoys the Portaferry Course as she wins the lady’s award for the fifth time.

First Ards CC rider was another M50 – John Rafferty with 55:57, followed by Alan Patterson and Barry Mitchell.

John Rafferty

Barry Mitchell

But the day belonged to George Peden and his record breaking ride. Unfortunately we couldn’t run a proper prize presentation at the event, but hopefully we’ll be able to present the trophy to him in the near future. And watch out for that name in the coming years!

	Name	Club	Time
1	George Peden	Prologue	49:29	1^st
2	Marcus Christie	Perf Swim	50:13	2^nd
3	Bryan McCrystal	Bellurgan	51:22	3^rd
4	Lindsay Watson	Powerhouse	51:40
5	Greg Swinand	Dan Morrissey	52:39
6	Aaron Watson	Dromara	53:15
7	John Madden	Inspired	53:48
8	Chris McGlinchey	CRC	54:05
9	Ian Inglis	Kinning	54:51
10	Ross Hamilton	Quanta	54:53
11	Paul Carroll	Velo Café	54:56
12	Stuart McCaughey	Phoenix	55:22
13	John Rafferty	Ards CC	55:57	1^st Ards
14	Edward Kearney	Phoenix	56:04
15	Rory McIntyre	Apollo	56:52
16	Ciaran McVeigh	Phoenix	57:00
17	Luke Joyce	Bikehouse	57:24
18	Eileen Burns	Ballymena	57:43	1^st lady
19	James Gordon	Phoenix	57:49
20	Alan Patterson	Ards CC	57:56
21	Barry Mitchell	Ards CC	58:36
22	Daniel Daly	Phoenix	59:09
23	Kevin Briggs	Ards CC	1:02:25
24	Laura Campbell	Ballymena	1:02:50
25	Jonathon Taylor	North Down	1:03:07
26	Michael Rowan	Northern	1:03:09
27	Niall Brown	Ards CC	1:03:12
28	Niall Simpson	Lagan Valley	1:03:22
29	Andrew Jess	Ards CC	1:03:27
30	Steve Core	Ards CC	1:07:56
	Kelly Murphy	Storey	Puncture
	Hilary Hughes	Westport	DNS
	Ian O’Hare	Lucan	DNS
	Paul Kennedy	Spellman	DNS
	Stephen Harkins	Madigan	DNS

Thanks to all the marshals and timekeepers for running the event, and to everyone who turned up to compete or watch – although we had to socially distance, it was still a memorable morning.