Date: Sunday 15 November 2015
Event: Ulster Cyclo-cross Round 6
Location: Craigavon Watersports Centre
Host club: Dromara CC
Craigavon Watersports Centre has become well known for the cross-country mountain bike race that Apollo CT run there every year but this year the location was added as a site for a cyclo-cross race. Dromara Cycling Club was offered this site after their usual location of Moira Park became unavailable. The course took in the main grass slope near the Watersports centre and included two grassy lengths on either side of the narrow canal to form the circuit for the senior course. The junior course was located as per the cross-country race in its own area completely separate from the senior course. There was even a short course just for the Under 6s. The Watersports Centre had facilites for changing, showers, toilets and catering from the café. Sign on took place in the meeting room. A big thanks to the staff on site and to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for their support.
The day started off mild but cold. There were 15 riders lined up for the Under 6s race which was a single lap around their own course. The young riders enjoyed their packet of sweets at the finish. The Under 8s were next over on the youth course where they had to do 2 laps of a reduced course. Rhys Hepburn (Island Wheelers) took his fourth win of the series as he finished ahead of Fionn McCloskey (Roe Valley CC) with Riley Gibson (Carn Wheelers) third. In the girls race the top 5 were Maia McVeigh (Shimna Wheelers), Grace McVeigh (Shimna Wheelers), Aisling Smyth (Apollo CT), Caitlin Hanna (Apollo CT) and Harriett Abraham (Trail Demons CC).
The Under 10s started next and they had to complete two laps of the full youth course. Despite the fact that the girls race started a few seconds behind the boys, Aine Doherty (VC Glendale) caught and passed all the boys to cross the line first overall. Calum Hepburn (Island Wheelers) was the first of the boys to finish as he crossed the line ahead of Daniel Scott (Island Wheelers) and Harry Hobbs (VC Glendale). Cara Moffitt (Phoenix CC) was second girl to finish with Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers) third.
The Under 12s race had 3 laps of the same course as the Under 10s and it was another battle between the Island Wheelers riders for the top 3 places in the boys race with Scott Roberts coming out on top this time, Oisin Ferrity second and Adam Rafferty third. In the girls race Lily McGibbon (Trail Demons CC) took the win ahead of Chloe Ferrity (Island Wheelers) with Hannah Mullin (Trail Demons CC) taking third.
Racing then moved over to the main course with the Under 14s, Under 16s and mountain bike men’s race. In the 2 lap Under 14s race Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers) had a close batlle with Ben Wilson (Dromara Cycling Club) but came out on top. Ciaran Dixon (Phoenix CC) took third. In the girls race Maia Simmons (North Down CC) took her fifth win of the series finishing ahead of Katie Neill (Carn Wheelers) with third place going to Maria McAllister (Island Wheelers). In the 4 lap Under 16s race Pj Doogan (Errigal Cycling Club) crossed the line to take gold with Lee Harvey (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) taking silver and Jack Murdoch (Apollo CT) taking the bronze medal. Summer McGibbon (Trail Demons CC) took the win in the U16 girls race finishing ahead of Niamh McKiverigan (Powerhouse Sport) with Emma Elder (Carn Wheelers) taking third place. In the mountain bike men’s support race Robbie Smyth (Apollo CT) took a clear win over Nathan Sturrock (Banbridge CC) with Dean Lockhart (Carn Wheelers) third.
The rain was making the course very muddy and one section of an off-camber had to be modified as it was becoming unrideable. The next races were for the females (cyclo-cross and mountain bike race separately) and the men’s cyclo-cross B’ race with all having to complete 5 laps of the full course. In the CX females race Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) got her thrid win of the series as she finished ahead of Kathryn Aiken (Banbridge CC) with Alwynne Shannon (Newry Wheelers CC) taking third. Angie Smyth (Apollo CT) took the win in the mountain bike women’s support race with fellow club mate Nicola Nelson second and Alison Mcmullan (North Down CC) third. In the cyclo-cross men’s B’ race Ben Cady (Velo Cafe Magasin) took the win ahead of Australian visitor Patrick Oliver (Melbourne Cycling League) with Bob Talbot (Harps CC) third. All 3 riders are now obliged to ride in the A’ race.
Speaking of the A’ race, the 50 strong bunch had 8 laps to complete. With Glenn Kinning racing in Europe Roger Aiken (Team Asea) was untroubled at the head of the race and put on a great display of racing with only had Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) his nearest contester. Graham Boyd (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) finished third ahead of Brendan Doherty (VC Glendale) who was fourth, first unplaced M40 rider. Jason Henry was fifth with James Curry (Banbridge CC) sixth overall but first unplaced Espoir rider. Des Woods (Newry Wheelers CC) took the unplaced M50 rider prize with James McCourt (Island Wheelers) getting the first unplaced Junior rider.
After the races the riders were able to enjoy the food laid on by the staff in the café. Prize giving took place in the main hall. A big thanks to the volunteers from the host club for organiing this round of the series. Many thanks to the series sponsor – ChainReaction Cycles Flagship store in Belfast. Round 7 will be at Ormeau Park in Belfast. For more details see www.ulstercyclocross.com.
Report by Martin Grimley
Commissaires: Maurice Mayne and Gary Sheils.
Photos
David McVeigh (FlickR) – here
