Date: Sunday 22 September 2019
Event: Phoenix CX
Location: Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Belfast
Host club: Phoenix Cycling Club
After a run of 7 years hosting cyclo-cross races in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in Belfast (2011 to 2017), Phoenix Cycling Club missed out on running a race in 2018. However, on Sunday 22 September 2019 they returned with a super event in the park. The big attraction to greet the riders was the impressive scaffold bridge constructed just for the race located right beside the sign on gazebo. The club worked hand-in-hand with the park wardens and thanks has to go to Belfast City Council for their continued support. The park was in great shape with courses set up for all ages with the finishing straight for all riders along the tarmac drive. The day started off dry but there were outbreaks of heavy showers which made the course slippery. Perfect for cyclo-cross!
The first race of the day was for the Under 6s. This ‘fun’ race was held over two laps of the short course with 23 young riders enjoying the challenge and the goodie bag afterwards.
Next up were the Under 8s. Their course was longer than the Under 6s, winding its way through the trees, over the dismount section and then back onto the tarmac straight to the finish line. They had 3 laps to complete. Daragh Quigley (Foyle CC) lead from start to finish with Jack McGahan (Square Wheels) second and Will Sunderland (Apollo Cycling Team) just behind him taking third. Aoife Campbell (Square Wheels) took the gold medal in the girls’ race with Cassie Rocks (Island Wheelers) taking silver and Amelia Finnegan (Apollo Cycling Team) taking the bronze.
The Under 10s race was longer again with an extension further into the trees. They also had the short boards as their dismount section. Josh McClune (Team Madigan C.C.) had to sprint hard to keep Ryan McBride (Banbridge CC) behind him to finish first and second respectively. Eunan Campbell (Square Wheels) was leading on the first lap but had to settle for third. Aoife Craig (VC Glendale) was well up among the boys and well clear of Clodagh Quigley (Foyle CC) who finished second with Leah Hepburn (Island Wheelers) third in this four lap race.
The Under 12s used the same course as the Under 10s but had 7 laps to complete. Joshua Gallagher (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) was leading after lap 1 but had a mechanical and had to pull out of the race. The battle for first place was then between Curtis McKee (Maryland Wheelers) and James Armstrong (Dromara Cycling Club). A mishap saw Curtis drop back allowing James to lead from lap 5 to the line. Rhys Hepburn (Island Wheelers) took second with Curtis having to settle for third. Cara Suckling (Maryland Wheelers) lead the girls’ race from start to finish. Ffion Dolan (Cuchulainn CC) made her way up to second with Elisa Sunderland (Apollo Cycling Team) finishing third.
After a break for podium presentations the next riders to line up were the Under 16 boys, Under 14 boys and the Men’s Cyclo-cross B’ race, which seen the biggest field of the day – 78 riders. The Under 16s and Under 14s had 3 laps of the full course to complete, including the scaffold bridge, with the B’ racers doing 5 laps. The Under 16 boys started first and saw Curtis Neill (Carn Wheelers) leading after lap 1 but after lap 2 it was Shane Scullion (Island Wheelers) out in front. At the finish it was Conor Gallagher (Errigal Cycling Club) who crossed the line first with Shane second and Curtis third. The Under 14 boys’ had started 30 seconds after the Under 16s. In this race Conor Murphy (Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club) had a comprehensive win leading by over 3 minutes ahead of Karl Rockett (Ards CC) with Donnachadh Roarty (Errigal Cycling Club) third. The start of the B’ race didn’t go well for Pierre Louis Hagan (Banbridge CC) who crashed just metres after the start, uninjured but with a broken bike. The race also seen 5 crashes on the scaffold bridge due to the wet conditions and the some aspects of the design. We wish those injured a speedy recovery. The rest of the race was an exciting affair to keep the spectators and timekeepers busy. Raymond Brownfield (North Down CC) lead from start to finish which is hinting at a return to form for the season ahead. Paul Ferguson (The Bike House CC) improved his finish position compared to last week’s race at Orangefield finishing second. Aureliusz Klus (Stamullen RC) took third with Damian Lagan (Inishowen Wheelers) fourth, Dean Burnside (Island Wheelers) fifth and Fraser Duncan (The Bike House CC) sixth.
The next race was for the females with the Cyclo-cross women starting first for their 5 lap race, alongside the only Under 16 girl, Erin Creighton (McConvey Cycles). The Under 14 girls started a minute later and had 3 laps to complete. The scaffold bridge was closed for this race to allow for some design modifications. In the Under 14 girls’ race Lucy Brown from the host club took the win with fellow club rider Tori Moffitt second. Aoibhinn Sharkey (Stamullen RC) completed the podium. The Women’s race was lead from start to finish by Rachel Irvine (The Bike House CC). Second place was being fought over between Judith Russell (Phoenix CC) and Gill Smith (Unattached) but Judith had to pull out after lap 3 with a mechanical. Gill finished second with another Phoenix CC rider, Julie Rea, third. Maria McAllister (Island Wheelers) was the first unplaced Junior rider finishing fourth.
After another podium presentation the final race of the day took place. This was for the Men’s Cyclo-cross A’ race and was held over 7 laps and included the updated scaffold bridge. From the whistle it was Espoir rider Thomas Creighton (McConvey Cycles) who set off on a charge which lasted for 4 laps before he was caught by Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles). Glenn then had to contend with Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) who was closing in on him. At the finish Glenn managed to hold off Graham to take the win. Thomas finished third. Lewis Ferguson (The Bike House CC) was fourth with Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) fifth and first unplaced Masters M40. Barry Convery (Newry Wheelers CC) was sixth. Michael McGlynn (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) finished 9th and claimed the first unplaced Espoir (Under 23) rider position. Sean Daly (Cuchulainn CC) took the first unplaced M50 prize with the first unplaced Junior going to Joseph Owens (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club).
After the racing the riders were able to enjoy a burger from the BBQ, tea/coffee and tray bakes. Many thanks to all the team at Phoenix Cycling Club for hosting this event. A huge amount of work. Thanks to all the sponsors. The next cyclo-cross race in Ulster will be Round 1 of the Ulster Cyclo-cross series which takes place in Lurgan Park on Sunday 6 October 2019 hosted by Apollo CT. Entry opening on Sunday 29 September 2019 at 8 pm. See details on www.ulstercyclocross.com.
Results here
Commissaires: Jim Adams and Martin Grimley
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos
Belgium project – FlickR – here
