Ulster`s roads to host thrilling finale to National Series.

There is still all to play for as the Cycling Ireland National Road Series moves North for the final two rounds, with the overall winner being decided on Ulster`s roads, either with Saturday`s John Beggs Memorial event in Dromore, or next Sunday (23rd) at the North Down Grand Prix in Bangor.

Last week`s Dan O`Donnovan memorial event in Munster only made one significant change in the overall standings, with 2nd  place finisher Bryan McCrystal extending his overall lead by 9 points, over Dunboyne CC`s Mark Dowling.

As dropped scores now come in to play, McCrystal`s 2nd  place in the Munster event replaced one of his lower scores, which resulted in his tally going from 285 to 294.

Dowling also travelled to Fermoy last week, but his globetrotting exploits the previous week when he was on international duty for Ireland in the Kreiz Breizh stage race in France – finishing best of the national squad in 38th place - along with his victory in the National Criterium Championships last Friday must have taken its toll as he could only manage 15th place at the weekend, and failed to increase his `best five` counting scores.

Whilst Dowling is now 18 points down on McCrystal; 3rd placed rider Eoin Morton (UCD) also has a mathematical chance to take the overall series win, however all money must be on the all-conquering Asea blue-train to control matters at the weekend to ensure their man McCrystal from neighbouring County Louth will have the best opportunity to wrap up the season-long series in County Down on Saturday.

The Banbridge Club`s promotion will have Dromore Rugby Club as its HQ, with registration taking place from 10am, closing at 11.15am sharp.

The supporting Sean McGreevy memorial event for A4s will also take place at the same time, over 5 laps and 82km, with the feature event covering 7 laps which feature the Ballykeel hill and Drumlough climbs each time and covers 111km

National Series Standings to date (provisional)

  1. Bryan McCrystal.      Team Asea.               (Leinster)      294 points
  2. Mark Dowling.          Dunboyne CC          (Leinster)         276
  3. Eoin Morton.             UCD                           (Leinster)       262
  4. Sean Lacey.              Aqua Blue                 (Munster)       232
  5. Daire Feeley             Team iTap.                (Connacht)     231
  6. Dermot Radford.       Tipp Whs.                  (Munster)       227