Date: Sunday 2 November 2014
Event: Ulster Cyclo-cross Round 5
Location: Moira Demesne
Host club: Dromara Cycling Club
It was the turn of Dromara Cycling Club to host a round of the 2014 Ulster Cyclo-cross series and it was back to Moira Demesne which was the club’s fourth time at this venue. Course set up began on Saturday morning in dry conditions but by 4 pm on Saturday afternoon there was heavy rain which lasted until dawn on Sunday morning. Riders and organisers knew there’d be plenty of mud at Moira! Race morning was bright with clear blue skies and warm autumn sunshine. The team was on hand from 7 am completing the set up of the course which had a long 300 metre starting ‘straight’ before heading along a grass bank onto a wood chip avenue which runs up the centre of the park. On the Lurgan side of the park there was a series of grass spaces which were fully utilised with lots of 180o turns, before the course headed along the front of the old wall towards the sign on area where the spectators were able to watch the dismounting skills at the plank obstacles. The final section of the course took the riders up beside the changing rooms where there was a fast sweeping curve before the finishing straight.
The first race of the day was for the Under 6s with 22 eager young cyclists lined up to race from the start of the pit lane, around the sweeping curve to the finish line. Rhys Hepburn (Island Wheelers) took the win in this ‘fun’ race with Beth Campbell (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) second and Ben Shaw (also from Xmtb) taking third.
The Under 8s were then gridded into the starting pen. They had two laps to complete of their own short course. Harry Hobbs (VC Glendale) and Calum Hepburn (Island Wheelers) have dominated this race category with more close racing between these two at this round. Calum took the win, his second of the series with Harry only 4 seconds behind. Curtis McKee (Maryland Wheelers) got another bronze medal, his fourth of the series. In the girls race Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers) made it 5 wins out of 5 rounds finishing comfortably ahead of Lila McCann (Phoenix CC) (her first time on the podium) and Tori Moffitt (Phoenix CC) who has podiumed at every round she has entered this year.
Next up were the Under 10s who had to complete 4 laps of an extended course to the earlier race. Riders from Island Wheelers were in top form with a full podium in the boys race with Adam Rafferty making it 5 wins out of 5, Oisin Ferrity with 5 silver medals and Shane Scullion with his first race of the season taking third place. Aine Doherty (VC Glendale) was missing from the start line of the girls race which gave others a chance of a gold medale which Sophie Osbourne (VC Glendale) did with a strong performance ahead of Lily Brown (VC Glendale) with Eimer Skelly (Carn Wheelers) getting onto the podium for the first time this series.
The Under 12s race course took them along the starting straight before turning left and crossing between the football pitches. On the far side they were able to join in to the senior course which they followed back to the finish line for their four laps. Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers) didn’t take long to stretch out a long gap to his rivals Scott Roberts (Island Wheelers) and Shea O’Kane (Phoenix CC) as he finished over a minute ahead. However, the battle for second took a twist when Scott fell off awkwardly to leave Shea a clear run home for silver place. Scott remounted and pushed on with a pained look on his face. In the girls race, riders from the Belfast club VC Glendale took all the podium spots with Cara McKee getting her first win of the series ahead of Louise Watson, who won at Round 4, with Ciara McKee taking third.
The starting grid was then filled up to capacity with the Under 16s, mountain bike men and women then the Under 14s. The Under 14s had to complete 3 laps of the main course with the others having to complete 5 laps. Adam Duff (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) lead the mass of riders from start to finish to take the Under 16s gold medal. Thomas Creighton (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) took second with Shea Kelly (Island Wheelers) third. In the U16 females race Molly McLarnon (North Down) took her third win of the series ahead of Emma Elder and Niamh Skelly, both from Carn Wheelers. In the men’s mountain bike race Sean Bradley (Carn Wheelers) seized his chance on the finishing straight to take the win off Bob Talbot (Harps CC) who was crusing to the line. Current league leader David McKee (Maryland Wheelers) was third. In the women’s MTB race Trudy Brown (VC Glendale) took her fourth win of the series ahead of first timer to a cyclo-cross series Martina Hawkins (Dromara Cycling Club) with series leader Janice Hepburn (Island Wheelers) taking third. Ben Wilson from the host club said ‘this course just suited me’ as he took his first win of the series in the Under 14s category. Series leader Caolan McKee finished second with Ciaran Dixon (Phoenix CC) getting onto the podium for his second time this year. The Under 14s girls race is normally down to one of two riders, Sarah Elder (Carn Wheelers) or Ellie Kelso (East Tyrone CC). At Moira Park it was Sarah who took the honours, her third of the series with Ellie second and Summer McGibbon (Apollo CT) getting onto the podium for her fourth time.
The Cyclo-cross females race, with a record breaking 12 starters, lined up to take on 5 laps of the course. They were followed one minute later by over 70 riders in the Cyclo-cross men’s B’ race. Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) was well clear of her rivals to take her fourth win in four races. Gill Smith (Phoenix CC) took her third silver in as many races with Hannah Ormesher (DID Electrical Racing Team) finishing third. Series leader Lisa Millar from the host club having to retire after one lap due to injury. In the men’s B’ race Derek Finnegan (Keevan CC) finally made it onto top spot after being on the podium on 3 other occasions this series. Keith Hooks (North Down CC) moved up one step on the podium from last week to take second with Richard Cowan from the host club making the podium for the first time this series.
The Cyclo-cross men’s A’ race was the final race of the day which was held over 7 laps of the main course. This turned out to be a great contest between Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) who had only entered two previous rounds and won both of them versus Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles) who won last week and is the current series leader. Lap after lap these two riders were riding closely together, both surging though the finish line out along the side the football pitches. Behind them was another battle for third place between Espoir riders Matthew Adair (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) and James Curry (Banbridge CC) and Junior rider Cameron McIntyre (Banbridge CC). As the race progressed Matthew dropped out of contention leaving the Banbridge CC riders to fight for third. On the final lap Glenn Kinning pulled clear of Darnell to leave himself a comfortable finish. James Curry dropped Cameron to take third spot. Cameron came away with first unplaced Junior, Matthew was first unplaced Espoir, Brendan Doherty (VC Glendale) was first unplaced veteran with John Bogues (Phoenix CC) first unplaced Supervet.
Post race the riders were able to use the bike wash, changing facilities and of course avail of the catering with hot soup and hot dogs. Prize giving got underway before the raffle was drawn. This week’s raffle winner was Zak Hanna (Dromara Cycling Club) who won a rain jacket. Many thanks to all the hardworking volunteers from Dromara Cycling Club for putting on a great event. Thanks as well to Lisburn City Council for the use of the park and to ChainReaction Cycles for their support. The next round will be at Seacourt in Larne on Sunday 9 November hosted by Team Madigan.
Results here (ver 2)
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos
David McVeigh (FlickR) – here
Eric Blayney (FlickR) – here
Bronagh Kirk (own website) – here
Toby Watson (Facebook) – here, here, here and here
Alison, Powerhouse sport (Facebook) – here
Videos
Johnny McCabe (Youtube) – here
Glenn Kinning (Youtube) – here
Luke Fulton (Youtube) – here
