Date: Sunday 8 December 2024
Event: Ulster Cyclo-cross Championships
Venue: St Columb’s Park, Derry/Londonderry
Host club: Foyle Cycling Club
Location
Address: BT47 6HN
Co-ordinates: N55.000281, W7.311187
Location of sign on: https://w3w.co/rapid.flames.deal
Google map link: Google Map.
Course description
This challenging course is being used for the sixth time in the Ulster Cyclo-cross series and is set in the beautifully scenic St Columb’s Park, Derry on the east bank of the Foyle river.
The course starts on the lower gravel pitch and heads gently through woods past the playgrounds, sharply uphill and skirts the main grassed soccer fields, to turn steeply downhill and back to the edge of the playgrounds.
Now taking to the edge of the wooded stream, the course rises again towards the park entrance, climbing over some steps and a short hill, before reaching a grassed area complete with obstacles and arriving again at the start/finish area on the gravel pitch.
With much to challenge the technically skilled and the fully fit, an exciting day’s racing is expected for competitor and spectator alike.
Under 6 have their own mini course. Then the U8’s have a new extended course, completely different compared to last years. The u10’s and U12’s will share a new extended course.
Do not cycle on the football pitch!!
Race Registration
Opens:
Closes: Friday 6 December 2024 at 8 pm.
Link to register – here
NOTE: There are no registrations on the day.
Race number collection:
Location: From the gazebo near the running track beside the steps
Number boards must be collected before practice and racing.
Closing times for collection of number boards is 15 minutes before the start of the race
Number boards must be returned at the end of the race
Race fees
Under 6s – £1
Under 8s – £2
Under 10s – £3
Under 12s – £4
Under 14s – £5
Under 16s – £6
Juniors (male and female) – £10
Seniors/Masters (male and female) – £16
Race schedule including practice times and prize giving
| Time | Event | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Registration opens | |
| 09:00-11:20 | Main course practice | 2h 30m |
| 09:00-09:50 | Youth course practice (U6, U8, U10, U12) | 50m |
| 09:50 | Under 6s race | 2m |
| 10:00 | Under 8s race | 5m |
| 10:15 | Under 10s race | 10m |
| 10:35 | Under 12s race | 15-20m |
| 10:55 | Prize giving for U8, U10, U12 | 5m |
| 11:00-11:20 | Full course practice | 20m |
| 11:20 | Call up for Women, Under 14s and Under 16s | 10m |
| 11:30 | Race start for Women, U14 and U16 | 30m U14 & U16 45m Women |
| 12:25 | Prize giving for Women, U14 and U16 | 10m |
| 12:25-12:45 | Full course practice | 20m |
| 12:45 | Call up for Junior men, M50, M60 | 10m |
| 12:55 | Race start for Junior men, M50, M60 | Junior Men - 40m M50, M60 - 45m |
| 13:50 | Prize giving for Junior men, M50, M60 | 10m |
| 13:50-14:10 | Full course practice | 20m |
| 14:10 | Call up for Senior men and M40 | 10m |
| 14:20 | Race start for Senior men and M40 | 50m |
| 15:20 | Prize giving for Senior men and M40 | 10m |
Tyre width check
For Juniors (16/17), Seniors and Masters there will be a check on tyre width (max 33 mm)
Race licence
Cycling Ireland riders must hold a 2024/2025 licence either a Limited Competition (LC) or Full Competition.
For non-Cycling Ireland licence holders, please ensure you have a 2024/2025 licence from your federation then email a copy of your licence to secretary@offroadcyclingulster.com before pre-entry closes.
NOTE: There are no one-day licences available for championship categories (U14s, U16s, Junior, Senior or Masters)
Ulster medals – eligibility
This is an open event however there are conditions on receiving medals.
Ulster championship medals will only be awarded to riders who satisfy the following criteria
(a) Belonging to a club / team based in the Province;
(b) Unattached and resident in the Province;
(c) Residency in the Province;
(d) Belonging to a club / team based outside Ireland but,
1) Immediate past address was in the Province or
2) Most previous Irish club / team was based in the Province.
Prize list
As this is a championship there will Cycling Ulster medals for the following categories. No cash prizes to be given out. Display medals will be provided for the event with the engraved medals being available at the Cycling Ulster Awards night 26 January 2025.
Top 3 Ulster Junior,
Top 3 Ulster Senior,
Top 3 Ulster M40,
Top 3 Ulster M50,
Top 3 Ulster M60,
Top 3 Ulster Junior women,
Top 3 Ulster Senior women,
Top 3 Ulster Masters women (40+),
Top 3 Ulster Under 14 males,
Top 3 Ulster Under 14 females,
Top 3 Ulster Under 16 males,
Top 3 Ulster Under 16 females.
TEAM PRIZE – There must be a minimum of 3 teams of 3 Ulster riders to qualify for a team prize in each category
Ulster Team prize (Senior men’s race)
Ulster Team prize (M40 men’s race)
Ulster Team prize (Women’s race)
NON-CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
There will be non-championship races for the Under 6s, Under 8s, Under 10s and Under 12s.
Gridding
Gridding will be based on UCI points and the Ulster cyclo-cross series 2024
Parking:
Competitors are asked NOT to park in Foyle Arena car park but instead make the turn into Browning drive (Google Map) that leads to the course entrance or there is parking available in Ebrington car park also (Google Map) and off St. Colomb’s Road (Google Map)
Facilities on site
Toilets: At the Foyle Arena
Showers: At the Foyle Arena
Bike wash
Riders are asked to bring their own water for washing bikes.
Refreshments:
Refreshments will be available in Café in the Park/St Columba’s Park House after the racing.
Race organiser: Chris McElhinney (email)
Telephone: 07739 660350
