Date: Sunday 16 November 2014
Event: Ulster Cyclo-cross Round 7
Location: Ormeau Park, Belfast
Host club: Xmtb McConvey Cycles
The sun shown on Ormeau Park on Sunday 16 November 2014 after a week of heavy rain which had caused floods across the country. Course designer Mark Harvey from the host club Xmtb McConvey Cycles had his work cut out for him trying to create a cycle course around the many wet areas of the park. This event had suffered last year in the same venue with rain on the day turning a fast flowing course into a heavy struggle. The course that was created this year was fast flowing for large sections with only a few areas getting churned up with the many cyclists that were taking part. The club is very thankful to Belfast City Council for the use of the changing rooms, bike wash, parking on the gravel pitch and general support with the event.
Racing got underway at 10:30 with the Under 6s race which was held on their own separate course. Almost 30 young riders lined up for this race with huge support from parents and other spectators. Rhys Hepburn (Island Wheelers) won the race with Ben Shaw (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) second and Aisling Smith (Apollo CT) third. The Under 8s then lined up on the tarmac path beside the entrance to the gravel pitch. This allowed for a fast sprint to a right hand turn into the course itself. The big contest between Harry Hobbs (VC Glendale) and Calum Hepburn (Island Wheelers) took place again with both riders locked together over the two lap race until Calum’s bike slipped and he lost 5 precious seconds to hand the win to Harry. In the girls race Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers) had her 6th win out of 6 starts. Gracie Maitland was second with Luighreach Murnaghan third.
The Under 10s had to complete five laps of the same course and it was a clean sweep for Island Wheelers in the boys race with Oisin Ferrity getting his second win of the series ahead of Adam Rafferty with Shane Scullion taking bronze. In the girls race Aine Doherty (VC Glendale) continued her dominance of this category with her 6th win out of 6 starts. Eimer Skelly (Carn Wheelers) got onto the podium for the first time this series with sliver position finishing ahead of Sophie Osborne (VC Glendale) who has not been off the podium for this series.
The Under 12s had a longer course to complete which they did over 4 laps. The riders from Island Wheelers were again dominating this category with the super strong Darren Rafferty finishing over 50 seconds ahead of Scott Roberts. Dean Harvey from the host club finished third, his second bronze medal in as many starts. In the girls race Maia Simmons (North Down CC) got her fourth win of the series finishing ahead of Cara McKee (VC Glendale) and Louise Watson, also from VC Glendale. The prize giving then took place for the Under 6s up to the Under 12s.
Around 11:45 there was a big gathering of riders with the Under 16s lined up in front, ahead of the mountain bike men, then the mountain bike women then the Under 14s. The Under 14s had to complete 3 laps of the main course with the others having to complete 6 laps. Thomas Creighton from the host club won the Under 16s race, his second win of the series, with Xeno Young getting onto the podium for the first time with a silver medal as he finished ahead of Shea Kelly (Island Wheelers). In the U16 girls race series leader Emma Elder (Carn Wheelers) finished well clear of Molly McLarnon (North Down CC) with Niamh Skelly (Carn Wheelers) finishing third. In the Under 14s race Drew Armstrong from the host club took the win on his first race of the series. Series leader Caolan McKee was second with Lee Harvey from the host club finishing third. In the U14 girls race Sarah Elder (Carn Wheelers) and Ellie Kelso (East Tyrone CC) had 3 wins each before today’s competition but at Round 7 Sarah got her 4th win leaving Ellie with second place. Summer McGibbon (Apollo CT) continued her run of form by getting onto the podium again for the 6th race in a row. In the men’s mountain bike support race series leader Sean Bradley (Carn Wheelers) got his third win in a row as he finished ahead of host club’s Chris Oakley with Dominic McCartan (Apollo CT) getting onto the podium for the first time. In the women’s MTB support race got her 6th win out of 6 starts with newcomer to mountain bike racing Keri Parton (Dromara Cycling Club) taking second ahead of club mate Martina Hawkins.
Around 1pm the first of the cyclo-cross races got underway with the CX women’s race which was followed one minute late by the CX men’s B race, both categories doing 6 laps of the main course. There were just 5 women on the start line for this round but it was ‘business as usual’ for Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) who took her 6th win out of 6 starts. Hannah Ormesher (DID Electricial Racing Team) was second ahead of Lisa Millar (Dromara Cycling Club). In the men’s B’ race Damien Duggan (ChainReaction Cycles) took the win despite arriving to the start line late and frantically removing his leg warmers as the seconds ticked down before the whistle blew! William Boyd from the host club finished second with Paul Mawhirt (Dromara Cycling Club) getting his second bronze position in a row.
The final race of the day took place at 2pm with the Cyclo-cross men’s A’ race which was held over 7 laps of the main course. Series leader Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles) did not have his usual battle with Glenn Kinning, who had opted to compete in the Fixx cyclo-cross series in Dublin, but did have his work cut out for him to stay ahead of host club’s Graham Boyd who made it onto the podium for the first time this series with Matthew Adair, also from the host club, finishing third. Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) finished ahead of his social media rival Luke Ireland (Phoenix CC) for 4th and 5th position respectively. Jason Henry was 6th overall, first unplaced veteran with John Bogues (Phoenix CC) 7th, first unplaced supervet. First unplaced junior went to Calvin Moore (Caldwell Cycles).
After the races the riders were able to enjoy a great spread of hot food from the professional looking food tent with hot dogs, hot soup, sandwiches and cakes for all. There was even a tray of home made shortbread with the letters “XMTB” on them, thanks to the young club member Lewis Armstrong.
Many thanks to all the hardworking volunteers from Xmtb McConvey Cycling for putting on a great “slick” event. The next round of the series will be at Falls Park in Belfast on Sunday 23 November hosted by VC Glendale. This will the last round of the series as the park in Omagh will not be available. The series prize winners will now be based on the best 6 out of 8 rounds.
Results here (ver 3)
Commissaire – Martin Grimley
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos
David McVeigh (FlickR) – here
Steven Lindsay (Google+) – here
Michael Armstrong (FlickR) – here
Toby Watson (Facebook) – here, here and here
Bronagh Kirk (own website) – to follow
