Date: Sunday 10 September 2006
Event: Final round Ulster MTB XC League
Location: Glenarm
Host club: East Antrim
MTB Final
The curtain came down on the 2006 Ulster Mountain Bike Cross Country League at a sunny Glenarm Forest on Sunday. The East Antrim Audi promoted event provided pure drama from start to finish as riders battled to secure league titles.
Banbridge CC rider James Curry remained unbeaten in the Ulster League this year when he won the U-10 race in his usual no nonsense style. In the battle for second overall, Jill Curry finished second in the race, just ahead of Madigan rider Ty Mackness. Jill took runner up in the League, with Aimee Ogilby (XMTB) celebrating the end of her first season of racing by finishing fifth in the race behind Cormac Glen, and taking third overall.
The U-8 Class came down to the last round, a two way contest between Banbridge riders Rachel Mayne and Richard Baird. The tension was unbearable on the start line, and that was just the parents! On the opening lap the two championship contenders were out in front, Richard just leading from Rachel. On the second and final lap Rachel crashed out, and received treatment to grazes to her knee and thigh. With Rachel out, Richard went on to take his first ever Ulster League win, with Craigavon winner John Buller (Banbridge CC) runner up, and Cain McConvey, the non stop talking Newry Wheeler in third. When the championship standings were calculated, what a result, Rachel took the U-8 title by a single point from Richard!
Another rider with the title already secured was XMTB’s Robbie Lamont in the U-12 class, the young Belfast rider scoring another start to finish win. Fellow XMTB rider Claire Oakley continued her superb form of recent weeks as she took second in the race and second overall. Banbridge rider Dan Runciman took third in the race and third overall, though only by a single point from Chris Oakley of XMTB fame.
The battle for the U-14 title was quite simply superb. At the end of the first of two laps of the main course William Boyd just led from Jack Wilson and Michael Runciman, the three side by side as they charged into the start/finish area. The battle for the title involved Banbridge rider Michael and XMTB’s William, with East Antrim’s Jack ready to inherit a position should any of the top two hit disaster. At the end of the race it was Micheal Runciman who took the, with William Boyd a close second and Jack Wilson in third. Michael’s win gave him the league title with a total of 352 points with William a close second on 348. Well done to Jack Wilson, at the end of his first season in mtb, he took third overall with a total of 328.
The U-16 race gave Banbridge rider Liam McGreevy a resounding win, though this only came after his sparring partner, Neil McGimpsey (XMTB) retired on the last lap with a puncture. Neil had the consolation of taking the Ulster title from race and league runner up Johnny Beers, with another of the XMTB squad, Jess Laird third in the race and third overall.
The three lap Sports race proved that roadies can do mtb as Apollo CT star Junior McAuley romped top a brilliant start to finish win. Dromara CC rider Ross Galway was second with fellow Club rider Gary Gray in third. Having already won the Ulster Sports Championship, Gary made it a double celebration by wrapping up the Sports League title, Ross finishing third overall. Young XMTB rider Matt Casey was fourth as Martin Grimley narrowly held Dromara CC map reader Derek Hanna out of fifth. Derek was happy not to have got lost, and even happier with second overall in the points table.
The five lap Junior race saw an epic dual between Junior Champion Graham Boyd (XMTB) and class debutant Sean Downey (Banbridge CC). It was only in the closing stages that Sean was able to break clear from Graham to seal a debut win. At the finish Graham was just over one minute down on Sean as Andy Godfrey (XMTB) took third. Simon McConnell (MTB Rider) had one of his best races of the season to take the Experts race, Simon already having taken both the Championship and League titles. Runner up in the Experts race was East Antrim’s Gary Cranston. In the Ladies race Ciara McManus was an easy winner, the XMTB lady having already secured the League.
The Masters League also came down to a last race fight. The race was won by Andy Wallace (Dave Kane Northern), the quiet spoken rider leading throughout to take his first win of the season. Runner up was Newry rider Martin O’Hagan, not an overall contender. However third finisher Paul Anderson (Banbridge CC) had done enough to take the League title, Paul having taken the Championship at Seaforde a fortnight ago. Race organiser Danny Hylands was fourth, ahead of Gareth Adamson, Simon Curry and Jim Laird. In the final points table, Paul came out on top with 332, Andy second on 318, and Simon third with 284.
The Vets title was another last race thriller, with XMTB star Robbie Lamont and his arch rival, Banbridge’s William Mulligan in a straight fight for the title, winner takes all. On the first of the four laps Robbie led the way with William a close second. The title was decided on a dramatic third lap when as he closed on leader Robbie, the Banbridge rider was forced to retire after a crash in which he buckled his front wheel. A jubilant Robbie took the win and the title, with a total of 352 points, the unlucky William runner up with 340. Runner up was Bann rider Jon Runciman, one of his best rides of the season. Gary Wilson (East Antrim) just failed to catch Jon at the finish, but third was enough to give him third overall.
Many thanks to all the riders, and spectators who supported the East Antrim promotion on one of the most picturesque courses in the country. And a huge thanks to all the Clubs
who promoted League events this year.
Report by Andy Potts
Original report location here