The 2026 Ulster Cyclo-cross Series had its opening event on Sunday 1 November 2026 at Windmill Park in Dungannon. The event was labelled as “Round 2” of the series as Round 1 had to be cancelled due to Storm Boelo. We hope to reschedule Round 1 later in the season. This was the 12th year that host club Island Wheelers had ran their event in this location and, to shake things up, they designed the course to run in reverse. This included a challenging scramble up a hill at the back of the course. Proper cyclocross!
The week leading up to the race saw some very settled and dry weather which provided a dry and fast circuit through the trees. Race morning was cold with light frost but once the sun came up it washed the park in glorious autumn light against a clear blue sky. A great way to set off the series.
The first to line up to race were the Under 6s, who had just one lap to complete. Well done to the ten young riders who enjoyed their goodie bag at the finish. The Under 8s were next. They had 3 laps to complete. Max Beattie (Square Wheels) took the win in the boys’ race with Senán Rafferty (Un-Attached Ulster) second, Liam Fitzpatrick third and Killian Logan (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) fourth. Among the girls Alice Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) crossed the line first ahead of Hope Corey (Apollo Cycling Team) with Tessa Corrigan (Island Wheelers) completing the podium.
The Under 10s used the same course as the Under 8s but had 6 laps to complete. Senan O’Brien (Breffni Wheelers) led from start to finish to take the win in the boys’ race. Noah Finnegan (Square Wheels) was second with Séan McGahan (Square Wheels) third. In the girls’ race Chloe Eagleson (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) had the early lead but Lexa Clarke (Dunloy CC) got herself to the front at the end of lap 3 and held this to the line, Meabh Farrell (Newry Wheelers CC) was second with Chloe having to settle for third.
The Under 12s course was longer and the riders had 8 laps to complete. Thomas Crymble (Apollo Cycling Team) got himself to the front of the pack by lap 3 and kept stretching out the gap to the chasing pack. This was Thomas’ first race win. Josh Ruddell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) was second with Naoise Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) third, Conor McGahan (Square Wheels) fourth and Toby Heywood (Un-Attached Ulster) fifth. Ríonach Campbell (Square Wheels) was the winning girl and would have finished third overall. Eabha Connolly (Square Wheels) was second with Pippa Ruddell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) third.
Photo by Toby Watson
After the usual break for podiums and course practice it was time for the Under 14s, Under 16s and Women to line up. In the 5 lap Under 16 boys’ race Kealan Doherty (Foyle CC) and Rory McCool (Square Wheels) were wheel to wheel for the whole race. It all came down to a sprint finish but with Kealan turning the final corner first Rory had too much to do to get around him. A great sprint finish. Billy Lord (Breffni Wheelers) was third with Oisin McKenna (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) fourth. There were no Under 16 girls in the race.
In the 4 lap Under 14 boys’ race Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) took the chequered flag ahead of Nathan Baker (Breffni Wheelers) with Caoimhin Loney (Un-Attached Ulster) third. Aoife Campbell (Square Wheels) was the only Under 14 girl in the race but would have finished second overall among the Under 14s.
In the 6 lap Women’s race Elena Wallace (Harps CC) was in a class of her own, well out in front. Junior rider Aoife Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) finished second with Tetyana Kokhan (Newry Wheelers CC) third. Recently arrived Texan Sara Tamburri (Un-Attached Ulster) was fourth and behind Sara was a hattrick of Lauras! Laura Brown (Bangor City Bike Club) was fifth, Laura Birley (Un-Attached Ulster) was sixth and Laura Mulcahy (Donegal Bay Cycling Club) was seventh. Laura Brown picked up the first unplaced M40 prize with Julie Murphy (Un-Attached Ulster) picking up the first unplaced M60 prize.
The final race was a combined one with the A’ race riders setting off first followed 2 minutes later by the B’ race riders. This would be a change of format from our usual schedule in previous years. The A’ race riders completed 8 laps with the B’ race riders completing 7 laps.
Like the Under 16 boys’ race we had two riders wheel to wheel for the whole of the A’ race. David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port) and Darnell Moore (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) kept swapping positions but sticking to each other like glue. It came down to the sprint with David just holding off Darnell for a very exciting finish. Junior rider Josh McClune (Team Madigan C.C.) had a great result in third place. Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) was fourth with Mark McKinley (Newry Wheelers CC) fifth and picking up the first unplaced M40 prize. Chris Oakley (Un-Attached Ulster) was sixth with Jason Henry (Inspired Cycling) seventh and collecting the first unplaced M50 prize. Seán Maguire (VC Glendale) picked up first unplaced M60. Race organiser Aidan Lafferty crashed heavily into a tree “on a course that I designed!” Wishing Aidan a speedy recovery.
In the B’ race it was the ever popular David McKee (VC Glendale) [infamous] who got himself to the front of the bunch and powered on to take the win. Gerard McEntee (VC Glendale) was second with Kevin McGuinness third. All three are now obliged to race in the A’ race for the remainder of the season. Ciaran Campbell (Square Wheels) had been in second place for 3 laps but had to settle for fourth. Adam Ewart (Apollo Cycling Team) was fifth.
A huge thanks to all at Island Wheelers for hosting a great event. With the sunshine it has left us with great memories. Thanks to the local council for supporting the event taking place. Round 3 is on Sunday 8 November 2026 hosted by Apollo Cycling Team with registration closing on Friday 6 November at 8 pm. See www.ulstercyclocross.com for details.
Commissaires: Jim Adams and Martin Grimley
Results here
Race report by Martin Grimley
Photos
Toby Watson (Facebook) – here
Dany Blondeel (Facebook) – part1 and part2
Jerome Rafferty (Instagram) – link
