Madden opens his account in Super Six

LOCAL former international triathlete and current Irish cycling record holder John Madden took a stunning second place despite professional opposition to open his account in the Super Six time trial league which he won last year.

The first round of the super six was on Tuesday 27 April on the Birches – Portadown course and there were 38 riders for this event. The unwelcome headwind on the way out made things difficult but there were good times done despite this.

John won the six race series last year with an average speed of nearly 30 miles per hour over a range of challenging courses. He intends defending the title against quality opposition and feels he has a good chance.

“I am in good shape and have some hard conditioning work done however I believe I still have some room for improvement.

“I am following a tough phase of training over the next 8 weeks to prepare myself for the national championships and in the process I will be competing in a number of time trial and road races” said John.

John was beaten into second place by full time professional cyclist Thomas Martin who is only 20 years of age. Veteran Irish record holder John Madden is over twice Thomas Martin’s age and works full time as a school principal at Roddensvale School, Larne.

John will be racing next weekend in the challenging Red Hand road race which travels through Ballycastle where he lives. Obviously John will be keen to do well in his local race encouraged on by his family and team mates.

Super Six Round 1 Results

1. T Martin Eurocycles 21.15

2. J Madden Curran Racing 22.02

3. R Watters Harps 22.40

4. A Baines East Tyrone 22.57

5. S Harkens Team Madigan 23.16

6. D Heagney East Tyrone 23.22

7. Noel McLoughlin Island Wheelers 23.49

8. Conor Grimes Clann Eireann 23.50

9. M Murray Clann Eireann 23.51

10. B Duddy Foyle 23.52