Date: Sunday 19 October 2014
Event: Ulster Cyclo-cross Round 3
Location: Windmill Park
Host club: Island Wheelers
The Ulster Cyclo-cross series made its third return to Windmill Park where Island Wheelers were once again hosts. With strong winds and heavy rain the night before the participants all expected another wet event in Dungannon. However, the sun came out for the youth races and the day got off to a great start. The course designers had upped their game with a super set up for the youth races which were created in the middle of the grass area, right in the heart of the event, but in such as way that the adult course was independent and wrapped around the youth courses allowing lots of time for main course practice. The adult course had also been developed from previous years providing a great mixture of muddy sections and tarmac paths.
The first race of the day was for the Under 6s with 18 young riders lined up for their two lap race of the course which stayed within the grass area in full view of the spectators. Rhys Hepburn from the host club took the win with Beth Campbell (Xmtb McConvey) second and Aisling Smyth (Apollo CT) third. The Under 8s race took in some of the wooded area before popping back out onto the grass to loop past the finish line. There was a great battle between Harry Hobbs (VC Glendale) and Calum Hepburn from the host club with Harry taking the win. Curtis McKee (Maryland Wheelers) was third. For the girls Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers) made it 3 wins out of 3, with second and third going to the Tori’s – Tori Moffit (Phoenix CC) second and Tori McBride (VC Glendale) third. The Under 10s race was held over 5 laps with the top two positions going to host club riders – Adam Rafferty, well clear of Oisin Ferrity. Oran Anderson (VC Glendale) took the final podium slot for the boys. For the girls it was another successful day for VC Glendale with Aine Doherty continuing to dominate (3rd overall rider) and Lily Brown taking second. Third went to Lily McGibbon (Apollo CT). The Under 12s race was held over 7 laps. Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers) put on another fine display of racing finishing over 30 seconds ahead of Scott Roberts, also from Island Wheelers. Shea O’Kane (Phoenix CC) took third. In the girls race Maia Simmons (North Down) took the win ahead of Ciara McKee with Cara McKee in third (both from VC Glendale). After the Under 12s race the first prize giving got underway.
The Under 14s, Under 16s and mountain bike support races for both men and women then took place. The number of laps was based on last year’s event however because the course was so dry (despite the overnight rain) and with the further course development, the riders were getting around the course much quicker and therefore ended up with a short race. The Under 16s and mountain bike riders had four laps to complete with the Under 14s having two laps. The Under 16s was won by Adam Duff (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) with Shea Kelly (Island Wheelers) second and Conal McKee third. The U16 girls race was won by Molly McLarnon (North Down) with Emma Elder second and Niamh Skelly third, both from Carn Wheelers. Caolan McKee made it 3 wins out of 3 in the Under 14s race with Ben Wilson (Dromara CC) second and Niall Skelly (Carn Wheelers) third. In the girls race Ellie Kelso (East Tyrone) finished ahead of Sarah Elder (Carn Wheelers) denying Sarah her hat-trick of wins. Summer McGibbon (Apollo CT) made her second podium of the series. The first two rounds of the mountain bike men’s race had been won by Johnny Reid but for this round he had entered the cyclo-cross race. This left a great opportunity for David McKee (Maryland Wheelers) to improve on his second place at round 1 to take the win here at round 3. Sean Bradley (Carn Wheelers) finished second with Bob Talbot (Harps CC) third. In the MTB women’s race Janice Hepburn (Island Wheelers) stepped up to the top step of the podium having previously been on the third step at both previous rounds this year. Alwynne Shannon (Newry Wheelers) took second with newcomer Anita Watson (VC Glendale) taking third.
Just before the start of the women’s cyclo-cross race and the men’s cyclo-cross B’ race the heavens opened and heavy rain fell. Their races were meant to be 7 laps but, with the rain, the organisers felt that 6 would be enough. Five might have been plenty!! Favourite for the women’s race was Fran Meehan (Team Aqua Blue) but getting course tape wrapped around her rear mech ended her race. Hannah Ormesher (DID Electrical) seized her chance and took the win ahead of Gill Smith (Phoenix CC) and Lisa Millar (Dromara CC). Jake Gray (CCT) won the B’ race ahead of Derek Finnegan (Keevan CC) with Michael Cowan (ChainReaction Cycles) coming into form to take third. We had a visitor from Australia taking part. Paddy Oliver (St. Kilda Cycling Club) finished 6th in the B’ race.
The rain stopped and sunshine returned for the cyclo-cross men’s A’ race. Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) was the race favourite and did not dissappoint however he did have his work cut out for him with Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles) and Aiden McDonald (Cuchulainn CC) chasing hard to finish second and third overall. Johnny Reid (North Down) converted well to the cyclo-cross bike finishing fourth. Unplaced veteran was Brendan Doherty (VC Glendale) and unplaced Junior was Calvin Moore (Caldwell Cycles).
At the final prize giving the skies were blue and the park was bathed in warm autumn sunshine. The riders were able to enjoy the soup and sandwiches laid on by the catering team. Many thanks to all the hardworking volunteers from Island Wheelers for running an excellent event. Thanks as well to Dungannon Council for their support on the day. The next round will be at Castle Park in Bangor on Sunday 26 October hosted by North Down Cycling Club.
Commissaire: Martin Grimley
Results here (ver 2)
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos
David McVeigh (FlickR) – here
Bronagh Kirk (own website with report) – here
Robbie Silcock (Picasa) – here
Toby Watson (Facebook) here, here and here
