Date: Sunday 11 October 2015
Event: Phoenix CX Trofee
Location: Lady Dixon Park
Host club: Phoenix CC
The organisers of the Phoenix Cycling Club cyclo-cross event took the decision to step away from the Ulster Cyclo-cross league format this year to try a slightly different approach to their event. They decided to drop the mountain bike support race for men which allowed them to create a time slot to promote a Women’s only cyclo-cross race. This was heavily promoted and paid off with a record-breaking turnout of 27 cyclo-cross females from across Ireland in addition to 9 mountain bike females. The Under 16 girls also started along with the women with the Under 14s (boys and girls) starting a minute later. The decision was well received by the female competitors.
The rest of the schedule for the day was filled with the usual youth races for the Under 6s, 8s, 10s and 12s as well as the two cyclo-cross men’s races (A & B). The Under 16 boys went with the B’ race men. Lady Dixon Park was alive with people and music from early morning. The youth races were held around a short circuit near the sign on tent. The same finish line was used for all races. The seniors started on the tarmac path running up between the grass banks before heading off into the wide grass expanse, with some sections among the trees. The famous sand steps had been rebuilt from last year as well as a new sand trap feature.
There was another big turn out of riders (343 in total) across all categories with over 150 youth riders. Race day started dry and cool for the youth events but rain appeared in the late morning to ensure that the cyclo-cross riders got to ride in traditional cyclo-cross weather with lots of mud thrown in! Dry weather returned for the prize giving and course clear up. All appreciated the great selection of food that was laid on for all riders and spectators. The club wish to thank Belfast City Council for their support in running the event and to the event sponsor McConvey Cycles.
The day started with a short 2 lap race for the Under 6s. Thirty young riders lined up and received a chocolate coin for their efforts. Next up were the more serious Under 8s who had to do 3 laps of their course. Rhys Hepburn (Island Wheelers) took the win ahead of Curtis McKee (Maryland Wheelers) and Fionn McCloskey (Roe Valley CC). In the girls race Caitlin Hanna (Apollo CT) was first with Beth Campbell (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) second and Emer Heverin (Castlereagh CC) third. The Under 10s had a slightly longer course and they had 4 laps to complete. Jay Mackness (Team Madigan) finished ahead of Calum Hepburn (Island Wheelers) with Oran Anderson (VC Glendale) third. In the girls U10 race Aine Doherty (VC Glendale) was the expected winner with Cara Moffit (Phoenix CC) her nearst rival at one minute back with Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers) completing the podium. The Under 12s used the same course as the Under 10s but had 5 laps to do. In the boys race, Island Wheelers club riders took over the podium with Scott Roberts, Shane Scullion and Oisin Ferrity finishing first, second and third respectively. In the girls race Hannah Mullin (Trail Demons CC) crossed the line first ahead of Keela Smyth (Apollo CT) and Lily McGibbon (Trail Demons CC) third.
Next up was the women’s race, cyclo-cross and MTB, the Under 16 girls race and the Under 14s race. All had to complete 4 laps of the main course. Beth McCluskey repeated her win from the previous Sunday but she was chased all the way by Gill Smith (Phoenix CC). Michelle Geoghegan was third with Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) fourth, Shenna McKiverigan (Powerhouse Sport) fifth and Lisa Millar (Dromara CC) sixth. In the MTB women’s race Anne Duffy (Cuchulainn CC) returned to the podium, this time taking the top step, with Evan Bartley (Lakeland CC) second and Angie Smyth (Apollo CT) third. Among the Under 16 girls Emma Elder (Carn Wheelers) crossed the line ahead of Summer McGibbon (Trail Demons CC). Dean Harvey (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) took a comfortable win ahead of Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers) with Ben Wilson (Dromara CC) third in the Under 14 boys race. In the girls race Maia Simons (North Down) was first ahead of Maria McAllister (Island Wheelers) and Lauren Hanna (Apollo CT).
Next up were the Under 16 males race and the cyclo-cross men’s B race. 22 lined up in the U16 boys race ahead of a big field of 78 riders in the B’ race. They had 5 laps to complete and were gridded based on Round 1 of the Ulster league. In the Under 16s race there was a full podium of Xmtb McConvey Cycles riders with Thomas Creighton first, Craig McCarthy second and Lee Harvey third. In the B’ race Stephen Cunningham (Shimna Wheelers) finished ahead of David Wright (Phoenix CC) and Pablo Alvarez (ChainReaction Cycles). All 3 men are now automatically moved to the A’ race for the remainder of the season.
The final race of the day was for the Cyclo-cross A’ race men. Course conditions were slick with riders struggling to stay upright, especially on Carnage Corner. 75 riders set off around 2 pm for 7 laps. They were all still packed tighly together at the end of lap one as they approached the high planks in the middle of the spectator arena. Lewis Ferguson (North Down) was the only rider to bunny hop the boards to help keep his second place. Roger Aiken (Team Asea), Lewis and James Curry (Banbridge CC) were up towards the front of the pack throughout the laps. Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) – who forgot to wear his timing chip – had some mechanical issues as well as getting course tape stuck around his rear wheel. This set Glenn off the back of the leading group but he doggedly stuck at his task and pulled himself back into contention, overtaking Roger on the final lap to take the chequered flag. Roger finished second with Lewis third and James fourth (first Espoir rider). First unplaced Junior went to Adam Duff (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) who finished just ahead of the first unplaced M50 rider Aiden McDonald (Cuchulainn CC) who, in turn, finished just ahead of the first unplaced M40 rider Brendan Doherty (VC Glendale).
A big thank you to John Bogues and Stephen Moffitt who headed up the large team of volunteers from Phoenix Cycling Club. A great race in a great venue.
Commissaires: Martin Grimley, Lisa Millar.
Report by Martin Grimley
Results here
Video
Johnny McCabe (YouTube) – here
Richard Cowan (Facebook) – here and here
Photos
Steven Lindsay (Facebook) – here
Paul Anderson (Facebook) – here
Richard Cowan (Facebook) – here
Caolan Hawkins (Facebook) – here
