Round 3 of the 2025 Ulster Cyclo-cross series took place on Sunday 2 November at St. Columb’s Park in L’Derry. This was the 7th time that Foyle Cycling Club had hosted a race at this venue, 6 times as part of the Ulster series. As before the start and finish was on the gravel running track with the riders heading up through the gap into the trees. No storms threatening the event this year. The weather was mostly dry with some showers in the afternoon, heavy at times. The city had been enjoying its usual Halloween parades and parties with the nearby fairground still going strong throughout the day.
Racing got underway with the Under 6s who had a short, out-and-in type race. They started from the running track beside the timing gazebo, headed into the woods along a short path, dropped back to the running track and then headed back to the finish in the opposite direction they started in. Well done to the 6 young riders. The host club had provided goodie bags for Under 6s up to Under 12s.
The Under 8s were next. They used a similar course to the Under 8s but they had to do a lap of the running track. They had 2 laps to complete. Taking his third win of the series was Noah Finnegan (Square Wheels) in the boys’ race. Rory Manogue (Apollo Cycling Team) was second with Darragh Millar (Square Wheels) third. In the girls’ race, twins Sally Mowbray (Apollo Cycling Team) and Ava Mowbray (Apollo Cycling Team) bagged first and second place with Erin Coakley third.
The Under 10s used the same course as the Under 8s but they had 4 laps to do. There was a busy finish to the race with 6 riders crossing the line about the same time, two of whom were going for the win, one for third place and the others were being lapped. Toby Heywood (Un-Attached Ulster) just managed to squeeze ahead of James Kavanagh (Lakeland) to take his first win of the series in the boys’ race. Naoise Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) was third. Among the girls Ríonach Campbell (Square Wheels) got her third win of the series. Chloe Eagleson (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) was second, Elianna Logan (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) was third with Nora Heron (Un-Attached Ulster) fourth.
The Under 12s course was longer with the riders starting at the far side of the running track near the grassy bank which they would use when returning to the running track at the end of their lap. Well out in front was Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) getting his second win of the series. Logan McAreavey (Bellurgan Wheelers) was second with Josh Ruddell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) third and Jake O’Donovan (Strabane Lifford Cycling Club) fourth. In the girls’ race it was another clean sweep for the Square Wheels riders with Ruby Millar picking up the gold medal, Ciara McCool the silver and Eabha Connolly the bronze.
After the usual break for podium presentations and course practice it was time for the Under 14s, Under 16s and Women to race. They started on the far side of the running track which gave them almost a full lap before they disappeared into the trees. The Under 14s and Under 16s had 3 laps to do with the Women completing 4 laps. In the Under 14 boys’ race Daragh Quigley picked up a win for the host club Foyle CC, his third win of the series. Nathan Baker (Breffni Wheelers) was second with Oisin McKenna (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) third. There were no starters for the Under 14 girls’ race.
In the Under 16 boys’ race Josh McClune (Team Madigan C.C.) picked up his second win of the series. Rory McCool (Square Wheels) was second with Kealan Doherty (Foyle CC) third and Corran McCourt (VC Glendale) fourth. Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) got her third win from three rounds in the Under 16 girls’ race. Aoife Craig (VC Glendale) was second with Aoife Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) third, the same podium as per Round 2.
In the women’s race Junior rider Emer Heverin (All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team) got her second win of the series. Elena Wallace (Harps CC) was second with Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles) third. Catriona Wheeler (Agivey Cycling Club) was fourth with Rachel Jones (Ballymena Road Club) finishing fifth and picking up the first unplaced Master prize.
After another break for podium and practice it was time for the A’ race. Making his first appearance this year was seasoned rider Darnell Moore (Team Caldwell Cycles) who powered around the course over 7 laps. Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) continues his great season with another podium, this time for second place. Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) was third with event organiser Conor Dooney (Foyle CC) fourth. Winning the first unplaced M50 prize was Jason Henry (Inspired Cycling) who managed to get ahead of the next M50 rider Barry Convery (Newry Wheelers CC). Stephen McKenna (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) was 7th and won the first unplaced M40 prize. James Mackey (Foyle CC) was first unplaced Junior with Aidan Lafferty (Island Wheelers) first unplaced M60. There was a tie on points for the team prize between Phoenix CC and Velo Cafe Magasin which came down to the better finishing position of the third rider giving the prizes to Phoenix CC. James Gordon, Fearghal Kelly and Edward Kearney were the Phoenix riders.
The final race of the day was for the B’ race and mountain bike support race. They had 4 laps to complete with the rain not helping them. The mountain bikers managed to get ahead of the cyclo-cross riders, despite the 30 second gap between them at the start. David McKee (VC Glendale) was the first MTB rider home with Paul Beattie (VC Glendale) second and Gerard Curran (Tir Chonaill Gap CC) third. First cyclo-cross rider to the finish line was Seán Maguire (VC Glendale) with Tom Doherty (Four Masters CC) second and Ciaran O’Hara (Foyle CC) third. All three would now be compelled to race in the A’ race for the remainder of the season. Dara McKenna (Emyvale CC) was fourth with Brian Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) fifth.
A huge thanks to all at Foyle Cycling Club for hosting the event. Great organisation and a super course. The next round will be at Ecclesville in Fintona hosted by Omagh Wheelers on Sunday 16 November 2025. See details on www.ulstercyclocross.com.
Commissaires: Jim Adams, Martin Grimley
Results
Series table after 3 rounds
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos
Dany Blondeel (Facebook) – Part 1
Part 2
Toby Watson (Facebook) – Here
