Date: Saturday 2 September 2006
Event: Ulster MTB XC League
Location: Craigavon
Host club: Apollo CT
Apollo MTB
The penultimate round of the Ulster MTB XC League took place on Saturday at Craigavon MTB Trail, with a superb days racing somewhat spoilt by persistent rain showers. The well organised Apollo CT promotion defied the ugly weather to produce some of the best racing this year.
The Youth races saw the worst conditions of the day, yet as many of Ulster’s Senior XC riders stayed at home afraid of getting wet, our future stars served up a feast of action. In the U-8 race Banbridge CC rider John Buller scored his first Ulster win as he just edged out fellow Club riders, Richard and Joseph Baird. Points leader, Banbridge Lady Rachel Mayne was fourth,with fellow Bann lady racer Shenna McKiverigan fifth. Newry rider Cain McConvey completed the top six.
James Curry gave the Bann Club another win as he scored his customary success in the U-10 race. Runner up was Declan Mulholland of Clan Eirann. Jill Curry (Banbridge CC) took third, though she was challenged throughout by XMTB rider Aimee Ogilby who was having her best race to date. The U-12 race was an XMTB thriller. Series leader Robbie Lamont took his expected win, however Claire Oakley was simply superb as she pursued Robbie over one lap of the main course. At the finish the pair were separated by less than 2 seconds. This was Claire’s best performance by far, her form having been boosted in recent weeks after finishing third in Plymouth in round 4 of the British NPS. Chris Oakley thought the course was just a bit too long, however he was happy to take third with Bann rider Dan Runciman 4th.
The U-14 race was another cracker as East Antrim’s Jack Wilson held off a determined challenge from points leader Michael Runciman (Banbridge CC) to take his first ever MTB win. XMTB rider William Boyd was third with Banbridge newcomer Matt Adair in 4th. In the U-16 race, an all XMTB affair, Neil McGimpsey was a resounding winner over Johnny Beers and Jess Laird.
Apollo CT saw their rider Ali McSorley win the Junior race, his first true MTB outing after his long lay off due to injury. Young Ali started with the Experts and beat all them as well. Connor Campbell (Newry Wheelers), probably Irelands best all round rider, won the Experts race with New Ulster Champion Simon McConnell (MTB Rider) runner up, Simon also on course to take the league title. The Masters event was won by Michael Cutler, a South African rider currently based in England. Michael made his Ulster debut last week at the Champs, finishing a close second to Mr Muscles Gerry McCabe. Andy Layhe (Apollo), current Ulster Cyclo Cross Champ, was runner up as XMTB’s Gareth Adamson struggled with a gear problem to take third. Simon Curry was fourth as Steve Coogan (Ah Ha) finished fifth on his Masters debut.
Top lady on the day was Ciara McManus (XMTB), with Ann Duff winning the ladies Sports Class. The Sports Male Class was an all Dromara CC dominated affair. Gary Gray was the start to finish winner as Ross Galway took runner up. Derek ‘I need a map Hanna’ had to settle for third, and will have to beat Gary Gray next Sunday to snatch the league title. The Vets race was another excellent event. Robbie Lamont (XMTB) led all the way, however tucked in his slipstream throughout was East Antrim’s Gary Wilson. It was only on the closing stages of the last lap that Robbie was able to break away, taking victory by five seconds from a very mudded Gary. William Mulligan of Banbridge CC fame, settled for third, the league being decided next Sunday between messers Lamont and Mulligan. In another sprint to the line, Andy Burns (UA) just edged Bann’s Jon Runciman out of fourth. Apollo rider Cameron Burns had a rare MTB outing to take 6th, as Ban bridge CC’s Annalong based Vet, William Forsythe was overjoyed at his seventh place, indeed he described the course as superb. Best moment of the day came when our William rode of to shower in jovial mood. I happened to coment to his wife that he looked like a teenager on his bike, the reply—its time he realised that he is almost fifty!!!
Many thanks to Apollo for a great event at a superb venue, it certainly went down well with all the riders. Finally, from all at Cycling Ulster, congratulations to Mr and Mrs Fred McSorley who celebrate 25 years married on Monday.
For more pictures of today’s event click the link below.
Report and Pics Andy Potts.