The 2024 Ulster Cyclo-cross series had been scheduled for four rounds starting on 20 October. However, Storm Ashley scuppered host club Foyle CC’s plans to run Round 1 which then meant we were down to three rounds. Breffni Wheelers was originally going to host Round 2 but this now became Round 1. Despite the confusion, Breffni Wheelers stepped up to put on a great event. We were all welcomed back to the beautiful Castle Saunderson in County Cavan on Sunday 3 November. The skies were grey but it remained mostly dry and mild with hardly a breath of wind. The course builders had changed sections of the main course to include less in the trees, an additional tarmac road climb, a spiral and a change of pit layout. The course was running really well. The finish line was on one of the tiered levels below the entrance to the abandoned castle. The youth races (Under 6s to Under 12s) started on this same tier with the other races starting behind the castle at the car park with the long run up the tarmac into the course.
As always, the first race of the day was for the Under 6s. The 8 young riders had 2 laps of a short loop and were met at the finish with a goodie bag.
The Under 8s had their own course and had 2 laps to complete. In the boys’ race Séan McGahan (Square Wheels) took the win ahead of Fiachra Connolly (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) with Noah Finnegan (Square Wheels) third. In the girls’ race Chloe Eagleson crossed the line first with Elianna Logan (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) second and twins Sally Mowbray (Belfast City BMX Club) and Ava Mowbray (Belfast City BMX Club) finishing third and fourth respectively.
The Under 10s had 4 laps of their course to race over. Jaxon Jennings (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) continues to have a good season with another win in the boys’ race. Conor McGahan (Square Wheels) was second with James Kavanagh (Lakeland) third and Thomas Crymble (Apollo Cycling Team) crossing the line with his usual superman pose taking fourth place. In the girls’ race it was a full Square Wheels podium with Ríonach Campbell first, Eabha Connolly second and Ciara McCool third.
The Under 12s course was longer than the Under 10s. There was no more bad luck for Benjamin Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) this week as he avoided any mechanical issues, which dogged his last two cyclo-cross races, to finish first in the 4 lap boys’ race. Jack McGahan (Square Wheels) and Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) had a great battle for second place with the position switching on lap 3 but it was Jack who took second with Lewis having to settle for third. In the girls’ race Aoife Campbell (Square Wheels) was again chasing down the boys and managed to catch all of them bar Benjamin. Joining Aoife on the podium was Fiadh Craig (VC Glendale) in second place and Amelia Finnegan (Square Wheels) in third.
After the usual break for podium presentations, refreshments and course practice it was the turn of the Under 14s, Under 16s and Women. They headed off to the start line in the car park. Setting off first were the Under 16 boys with the Under 14 boys 30 seconds later then the Women 30 seconds later and finally the Under 16 and Under 14 girls.
First around the course was the Under 16 boys leader Caleb McGreevy (VC Glendale). Caleb dominated the category and took the win. Eoin Davis (Bohermeen CC) was second with Darragh Murphy (Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club) third and Corran McCourt (VC Glendale) fourth. In the Under 16 girls race Emer Heverin (All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team) finished ahead of Aoife Craig (VC Glendale). In the Under 14 boys race James Cunningham (Team WORC) was out on his own for most of the race. Rory McCool (Square Wheels) was his closest rival and finished second with Tomás Connolly (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) third. Ava Baker from the host club had a great home win in the Under 14 girls race. Lilly McDermott (TC Racing) was second with Ciara O’Connor (Drogheda Wheelers) third.
In the Women’s race early leader Elena Wallace (Harps CC) was caught on lap 4 of 5 by Jenny McCauley (Bray Wheelers) who went on to win the race. Elena had to settle for second. Stephanie Roche (Scott Racing IRL) was third. Jean Wilson (EPIC MTB Expert Cycles) finished fourth and took home the first unplaced Masters prize. First unplaced Junior rider was Grace O’Rourke (Spellman-Dublin Port).
Next up was the A race which was held over 7 laps. Junior rider Curtis McKee (Spellman-Dublin Port) was a man on a mission, starting off strongly and keeping the pace going until the chequered flag. Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) chased hard but couldn’t close the gap to Curtis. Junior rider Cameron Henry (Inspired Cycling) was third with Conor Murphy (Team Caldwell Cycles) finishing fourth and taking home the first unplaced Junior prize. Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) was fifth with Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles Cycling Club) finishing sixth and picking up the first unplaced M40. First unplaced M50 was Pj Hynes (Bellurgan Wheelers) who finished 10th. Current World Masters Cyclo-cross champion (65-69 category) Johnny McCabe was going well in the first two laps lying 14th at one point before a broken bike on lap 3 had him running for around half the course to collect his spare bike. He still managed to finish the race and collect the first unplaced M60 prize. The team prize went to McConvey Cycles when Jonny Adams and James Alexander joined Graham Boyd on the podium.
The final race of the day was for the B race riders and the mountain bike support race. Both were held over 5 laps. Liam Kilkenny (Galway Bay CC) was out to showcase himself with an impressive win in the B race. Stuart Cox (Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar CC) was second with Matthew Boughton (Lucan Cycling Road Club) third. All 3 would have to ride in the A race for the rest of the season. Neil McDermott (Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar CC) was fourth with Ian Lambden (Team Dan Morrissey – Primor by Pissei) fifth. In the mountain bike support race Gerard Curran (Tir Chonaill Gap CC) had a comfortable lead at the finish. Gavin Thompson (Un-Attached Ulster) managed to get ahead of Stuart Suckling (VC Glendale) on lap 3 and held this second place to the finish with Stuart finishing third.
A big thanks to Enda Baker, John Lord and all at Breffni Wheelers for hosting an excellent event at a superb venue. Thanks to Cavan County Council for the use of the site. Round 2 will be on next Sunday 10 November 2024 at Windmill Park in Dungannon hosted by Island Wheelers.
Commissaires: Jim Adams, Liz Roche and Martin Grimley
Results here
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos
Toby Watson (Facebook) – here
Keith Colville (Facebook) – photos, videos
Damian Faulkner (Facebook) – videos
Dany Blondeel (Facebook) – photos
