Date: Friday 25 August 2017
Event: Brian Kinning GP
Location: Orangefield Park, Belfast
Host club: Kinning Cycles
On Friday 25 August 2017 Kinning Cycles hosted the first cyclo-cross race of the 2017/18 season at Orangefield Park in Belfast. The event was named the Brian Kinning GP after the passing of the local legend and father of race organier Glenn Kinning just 10 days earlier. A memorial trophy was also presented at the event. This was an evening race with the first event starting at 6 pm for the women, Under 16 girls and Under 14 boys and girls and the Under 12 boys and girls. The race started on the far side of the oval tarmac track with the riders rushing out of the track and around the grass course. The track loop was included on each lap for the riders. The evening was dogged by showers, some heavy, with the thick cloud reducing daylight.
The Under 12s had 2 laps to complete which was meant be around a reduced course but a mix up at an important junction had the Under 12 boys doing a full lap on their first lap and then a reduced lap on their second lap. The Under 12 girls knew what course they should be on! In the boys’ race Conor Murphy (Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club) took the win with Karl Rockett (Ards CC) second and Daniel Scott (Island Wheelers) third. In the girls’ race the podium was filled with Phoenix CC riders with Cara Moffitt finishing ahead of sister Tori Moffitt with Eva Daly on the third step.
The Under 14s race was 3 laps of the main course, with Brendan Conroy (EPIC MTB) making good on his trip up from Dublin taking the win ahead of Travis Harkness (Carn Wheelers) with Lance Abraham (Trail Demons CC) third. In the U14 girls’ race Hannah Mullin (Trail Demons CC) finished well clear of Keela Smyth (Apollo Cycling Team) with Lily Brown (VC Glendale) third.
In the women’s race Niamh McKiverigan (Powerhouse Sports) powered her way around the 4 laps keeping ahead of chaser Trudy Brown (VC Glendale) with Angie Smyth (Apollo Cycling Team) rounding off the podium. There was only one entry in the Under 16 girls race with Darcey Harkness (Carn Wheelers) producing consistent lap times.
At 7 pm the men’s B’ race got underway with 75 riders taking part over 5 laps of the main course. Fast and furious racing with Paul Ferguson (North Down) the earlier leader. In the end it was Keith Phillips (North Down CC) who crossed the line first with Kenny Bucke (Murphy Surveys Kilcullen CC) second and Michael Havern (Newry Wheelers CC) third. Bob Talbot (Harps CC) wasn’t far behind in fourth place with Paul in fifth.
The final race of the day began with a minute’s silence for the departed Brian Kinning. The riders lined up on the track, and, with the light fading, the riders set off on their 6 laps. With the heavy clouds overhead it wasn’t long before darkness fell and after 3 laps it was getting difficult to recognize riders coming out of the dark. Darkness and slippery conditions were real challenges for the riders. The front of the race was dominated by the two big hitters from last year Roger Aiken (Unattached) and Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) with Roger having the early lead. On the last lap it was Glenn who crossed the line first with Roger second. Espoir rider David Conroy (Scott Eurocycles.com) held onto his third place throughout the race with Tim O’Regan (Aqua Blue Sport) making his return to cyclo-cross taking 4th. Junior rider Adam McGarr (Biking.ie) was 5th with Niall Davis (Biking.ie) 6th. Kevin Keane was the first unplaced M40 rider. Also racing at this time were the Under 16 boys who had 4 laps to complete. There was a great battle between Dean Harvey (Kinning Cycles) and Ben Wilson (Dromara Cycling Club) with Ben taking the win, Dean second and Callum Richardson (Trail Demons CC) third.
Commissaires: Martin Grimley, Lisa Millar and Jim Adams
Results here
Photos
