Date: Sunday 20 October 2013
Event: Ulster Cyclo-cross Round 3
Location: Windmill Park, Dungannon
Host club: Island Wheelers
It was a return to Windmill Park in Dungannon for Round 3 of the Ulster Cyclo-cross series and it was Island Wheelers second time hosting a CX race at this venue. The event last year was held in January and was a very muddy course but the organisers took on board some feedback and produced a more flowing and fun course this time. The open grass area was laid out again as before with the start line for all events now set in the wide open middle section. This meant that there were almost 20 riders across the front line all heading down for the first sweeping left hand bend, which then followed the slippery right hander past the finish line.
In the lead up to the race there had been some heavy rain with downpours the night before loud enough to waken people out of their sleep. All riders knew what to expect before coming along – mud!! The morning of the race was very pleasant with warm sunshine for the youth races which saw big fields of riders and big crowds of spectators. The Under 6s fun race had 18 eager young ones lined up and the day started with the singing of Happy Birthday for one young rider, Padraig Doyle who had just turned 6 today. As in the previous rounds the riders in the Under 8s, 10s and 12s races all had the dismount section to pass through on foot which again showed off their skills in dismounting and remounting at speed. There was a big field of mountain bikers, Under 14s and 16s who were lead on a guided practice lap by one of the host club riders. The Cyclo-cross B’ race and females went at a separate time to the CX A racers as a continued reflection of the increased size of these categories. Hats off to the local council who had worked alongside the club to lay out the course and hosting the event including cutting a 3 metre path through all the undergrowth, providing tables, gazebos and water boilers. The club wish to express their gratitude to Dungannon Council for their continued support. There was a great spread of food laid on afterwards with lots of hot soup and sandwiches. Many thanks to Island Wheelers for their hospitality.
Cyclo-cross A’ race
1. Roger Aiken
2. David Montgomery
3. Glenn Kinning
Unplaced veteran – Jason Henry
Unplaced junior – Rory Maguire
Unplaced supervet – John Bogues
Cyclo-cross Females
1. Gill Smith
2. Lisa Millar
3. Shenna McKiverigan
Cyclo-cross B’ race
1. Gary Jeffers
2. William Boyd
3. Joseph McCrory
More results here
Photos
David McVeigh (FlickR) – here
Steven Lindsay (FlickR) – here
Paul Anderson (Facebook) – here
Bronagh Kirk – here
Video
Colm Watson (Vimeo) – here
Commissaire: Martin Lees
Assistant commissaire: Martin Grimley
Report by Martin Grimley
