Date: Sunday 10 July 2005
Event: 4th round Ulster XC
Location: Big Wood, Warrenpoint
Host club: Apollo CT
BIG WOOD SCORCHER FOR MASON
John Mason (Cycleways) sent out a warning to his fellow rivals just a
week before the Irish XC Championships in Bray, as he powered to a runaway
success in the fourth round of the Ulster XC MTB League, held in scorching
conditions at Big Wood near Warrenpoint on Sunday.
Promoted by the Apollo Club the event drew a healthy entry in the Senior Classes as riders had their final run out before the Championships. The Senior races took place over a superb new
course and combined with the excellent weather it was one of those rare
perfect days.
The Pro/Elite race was a four lapper and from the moment the event got
under way John Mason showed his intentions. As the field tackled the opening
climb Mason burst clear, much to the bemusement of the rest of the pack. At
the mid way point of the first lap Team Worc’s Peter Buggle caught and passed
Mason only to retire moments later with a puncture. Having a rare MTB outing,
Banbridge CC rider Roger Aiken was another retirement following a nasty crash
in which he sustained nasty cuts to the legs and arms.
James McCluskey (Worc) held second place to Mason on the opening lap
with XMTB rider Tim Edgar making up for a slow start to power his way up to
fifth. On lap two Mason continued his demolition job as Edgar moved into second,
the Annahilt rider seeming to be hitting the right sort of form just before
Bray. McCluskey held third followed by fellow Worc rider Dave King-Smyth,
Peter O’Farrell and Dave Gill. As the spectators searched for much needed shade
from the sweltering sun Mason continued his awesome display and by the time the
chequered flag fell Mason had over five minutes to spare over runner up Tim
Edgar. In a last lap thriller for third James McCluskey just got the verdict
over Dave King-Smyth. Making a rare outing Peter O’Farrell was fifth as Team
Worc’s French rider Ivan Sogno completed the top six. It is true that Lewis
Ferguson, Glenn Kinning and Robin Seymour missed the event as they were away on
international duty, however even they might now have to consider the threat
from John Mason on Sunday.
Peter McConville overcame a puncture to win the three lap Masters
race. McConville(Newry Wheelers) punctured on the second lap letting Danny
Hylands into the lead. On the last lap McConville regained the lead to notch up yet
another Masters success. On the final lap Hylands(Team Madigan) lost out on
second place when overtaken by Paul Anderson, the Banbridge rider at last
finding his form of old. In the Junior race Connor McConvey had a narrow win over
Matt Ferguson, BHB rider Ferguson determined to defend his Junior title this
Sunday. Beth McCluskey took the Ladies race with Caira McManus second. Knud
Jensen was a convincing winner of the Vets race though his job was made easier
when arch rival William Mulligan punctured on the last lap. Behind Jensen
Johnny McCabe was runner up with Mulligan having to run the final part of the
race to claim third. Gerry McCabe took his usual win in the Sports event with
Connor Campbell runner up.
Andy Hunter took a remarkable win in the U-16 race, the XMTB rider
having to ride for six of the seven laps without a saddle, ouch! Neil McGimpsey
was runner up with another of the XMTB squad Graham Boyd in third. Michael
Gordon had no equals in the U-14 race as Jessica Laird finished an excellent
runner up. Claire Oakley took the U-12 Class, Markus Pagels the U-10 and James
Curry returned to winning ways in the U-8 race.
Report by Andy Potts
Original report location here