Date: Saturday 23 September 2007
Event: Ulster MTB XC League
Location: Craigavon
Host club: Apollo CT
MTB Update – Sun Shines On Apollo
The penultimate round of the Ulster Mountain Bike Cross Country League took place on Saturday at the Craigavon Lakes course promoted by Apollo CT. The weather was superb, as was the course, what a pity some of Ulster’s mountain bike cross country community failed to support what turned out to be a thrilling day of action.
Racing got under way with the U-8 event which once again saw Banbridge CC rider John Buller in dominant form. Following four laps of a testing Underage course, John crossed the line ahead of fellow Banbridge riders Richard Baird and Stuart Dunlop, Stuart scoring his best finish of the year. One of the highlights of the race was the performance of Mark Buller, brother of winner John. Mark smiled throughout the race as he rode to a fine fourth, the youngest rider in the event clearly enjoying himself. Dromara CC’s Ben Hanna was fifth with Rebekah Ogilby (XMTB) in sixth.
James Curry (Banbridge CC) scored his usual win in the U-10 race, held over six laps. Runner up was XMTB’s Conor Nairn, the Newtownards rider coming to the end of his first season in mtb having made his debut at the Winter League in Bangor, Conor clearly one of the finds of the season. Banbridge’s Joseph Baird made up for a slow start to eventually finish in third, Joseph taking third from fellow Bann rider Rcahel Mayne with two laps to go. Having made his mtb debut last week, Dromara rider Chris Weir had another good outing to finish fifth and congratulations to Kelly Colton from Emyvale who finished sixth on her mtb debut.
XMTB’s Chris Oakley took the honours in the U-12 race with fellow Club rider Aimee Ogilby runner up. One rider missing from the U-12 line up was Dromara CC’s ace mtb rider and reporter Zak Hanna, Zak having to miss the Craigavon race after being selected to ride in an equestrian event at Balmoral. In a thrilling U-14 race which featured two Orchard Wheelers, Mantus Spirgius just pipped Andrew Turner to the flag, the pair having spent the two laps locked in battle. Third place went to Banbridge CC stalwart William Heslip, the young man delighted with his best performance of the season. XMTB collected another win as Chris Cameron took the U-16 class in which newcomer Ciaran Corgan finished runner up.
The Sports Men and Women races were dominated by the Carryduff based husband and wife duo, Phil and Valerie O’Neill. The talented pair, from an adventure racing background, had their first mtb races at Dromara the previous week. In the Mens race Phil had a great dual with Lakeland CC ace Michael Holland, the pair locked in a great battle for two of the three laps. On the last lap Phil pulled clear to take victory with Michael having to settle for second, as he gets ready for his next 24 hour race. The third place finisher received huge applause, popular Apollo road rider Junior McAuley having an excellent ride, then getting changed to go and marshal for the afternoon series of races, what a man! Clann Eireann’s John Heverin had his first mtb outing and did well to take fourth. In fifth was Ronan Corrigan with Banbridge CC’s Sports star Stevie Prentice grabbing a useful sixth, which will move him up the points table with arch rivals Ross Galway and Martin Grimley non scorers. Ross suffered a dnf due to a broken chain while Martin is still nursing an injured knee following last weeks race. XMTB rider Ronnie Ogilby looked impressive on his new bike as he finished seventh, followed across the line by motorcycle road racer Anthony McColgan, yet another mtb debutant.
The Sports Womens race saw Valerie O’Neill and Dromara CC’s Caroline Patterson have a great dual over two laps, Caroline cheered on by her blonde bombshell of a son, little William James, and not forgetting hard working husband Bob! At the finish less than a bikes length separated the pair, Valerie just getting the verdict. Banbridge lady Nicola Oldham rode her new bike to third place to maintain her grip on the points table.
Simon McConnell (MTB Rider) took victory in the Elite race, the only other entry being Dromara CC’s well known road rider Davy McKnight, and he suffered a dnf. Well done to Simon for again supporting the Elite Class, where did the rest of our Elites go? Not good enough folks. The Experts did little better, the only entry being Dave O’Neill from Swords CC.
The Masters race was a classic involving Andy Wallace (Northern/Dave Kane), Paul Anderson(Banbridge CC) and Clive Caldwell(Total Cycling). For three of the four laps Andy led the three way train, constantly appealing for the other two to take up the running. On the final lap Clive made the move, pulling clear and proceed to victory. This was more like the Clive we all knew from a couple of years ago. Paul finished runner up as the hard working Andy had to settle for third. Well done lads great race. Hero of the previous week, Dromara CC’s Derek Hanna was happy to take fourth place, still buoyant after last weeks result.
In the Vets race Paul McMenamin (Specialized/Leisure Lakes) was allowed back to the race scene after a little trip to Manchester the previous Saturday! Paul produced an awesome display as he won the three lapper for the ‘auld boys’. Simon Curry of Banbridge CC same, looked his old self as he took second with Apollo strongman Cameron Burns in third. In an all Banbridge CC battle for fourth, Willy Forsythe just got the measure of Maurice Mayne. Andy Burns was going well until he got a puncture and as he got an illegal wheel he disqualified himself after the race before the commissaire could get to him!!!!!
Well done to all the hard workers at Apollo especially to Dr Freds better half who did all the work while Fed carried cups of tea to everyone, tut tut. The final round of the league will be run by Banbridge CC, hopefully sometime in October. And finally, would riders please note, when you are releasing spittle from your mouth, please turn your head away from spectators, especially in front of the esteemed secretary of Cycling Ulster!!!!!
For some more pics of the the great action, click the gallery link below.
Report Andy Potts
Pics Marian Lamb