Date: Sunday 27 October 2013
Event: Ulster Cyclo-cross Round 4
Location: Castle Park, Bangor
Host club: North Down CC
Round 4 of the 2013 Ulster Cyclo-cross series took place at Castle Park in Bangor beside the new Aurora 50 metre swimming complex. The park has not been used for cycling events for a few years now but prior to that it has seen a great history of cycling events hosted by both North Down Cycling Club and Xmtb CC. Sign on and changing facilities were available in the Aurora centre with the racing happening on the banked grass area and forest behind the walled garden. The organisers were on site from early morning setting up the course but they were greatly hindered by the strong winds that were whipping across the open grass and football pitches.
Plans had to be modified quickly with regards to where the start/finish was going to be located as the gazebos were trying to take off like kits across the roof tops of Bangor. In the end the finish line was moved down into a hollow beside the 3G pitches which was not ideal but it did provide some shelter from the gusting winds. The youth courses were started on the top of the hill taking in a loop of the woods before popping back out of the trees for a short loop of the grass area. There was a good turn out of young riders for all categories, from the Under 6s to the Under 12s. The young riders shared the same course just taking in a different number of laps each time. The Under 14s and over were then started down beside the 3G pitch with the riders coming through the gazebos on each lap. Chip timing was provided by Elite Timing for the Under 14s, Under 16s and all senior riders. The weather stayed mostly dry all day with glimpses of blue sky and sunshine but the wind didn’t die down all day. Prize giving took place inside the function room of the Aurora Leisure Complex where there was a great spread of food laid on. Many thanks to the hard working members of North Down for their hospitality.
Cyclo-cross A’ race
1. Matthew Adair
2. Glenn Kinning
3. Jason Henry
Unplaced veteran – Aiden McDonald
Unplaced junior – Rory Maguire
Unplaced supervet – John Bogues
Cyclo-cross Females
1. Claire Oakley
2. Lisa Millar
3. Shenna McKiverigan
Cyclo-cross B’ race
1. Raymond Rocks
2. Johnny Taylor
3. Joseph McCrory
Full results here
Photos
David McVeigh (FlickR) – here
Peter Bennett (Facebook) – here
Bronagh Kirk – here
Michael Armstrong (FlickR) – here
Paul Anderson (Facebook) – here
Videos
Colm Watson (vimeo) – imps video here, local heros video here
Paul Anderson (Facebook) – B’ race start here
Peter Bennett (rider James McMaster) – youtube – here
Commissaire: Martin Grimley
Report by Martin Grimley
