Date: Sunday 25 May 1997
Event: Redhall Open MTB XC Race
Location: Redhall Estate, Carrickfergus
Host club: Bann Wheelers
Sunday 25th May and Redhall Estate outside Carrickfergus was the venue for Bann Wheelers first major open mountain bike event of the year. As ever, Norman Atkins’ involvement in proceedings ensured scorching sunshine and although the record numbers of last year didn’t materialise, over 100 riders made the journey out the coast to try and temper one of the most technical and widely approved courses in the North.
There had been concerns that the traditional course wouldn’t be available for use due to major tree felling activity at the top end of the Estate but some major, back breaking work by Dale McMullan, Michaels Cowan and White, Tristan Forsythe, broken wrist and all, and Norman Atkins had seen an improved and faster flowing course developed which included all of the old favourites, the quarry descent, the cobbles, the river crossings and miles of singletrack.
Matthew Ferguson again showed the Under 10’s a clean pair of heels but Thomas Wray did his bit for the Promoting Club’s honour with a fine second. Connor McConvey, riding for McConvey Cycles (wonder what the relationship is there?) was third while Jessica Laird with her father in close attendance was fourth, getting a special prize for being the only girl competitor. Lewis Ferguson made it a family double by winning the Under 12’s from Philip McLaughlin while James Wray, brother of Under 10’s Thomas also made it onto the podium for third to complete another good day for family and Team.
Graham Laird was highlighting his consistent form and high finishing prowess with another fine win in the Under 14’s while Jamie Scott must be wondering what he has to do to better yet another second place. Mind you, given that Jamie has only just moved up to this age group his performances are more than impressive. William Corry was completing the third step position while the familiar sight of Duane McCreadie at the head of the Under 16 field was once again in evidence, seems he’s always there no matter what the course or weather. Behind him it was the inseparable Toyota North Down duo of Michael Dempster.
A depleted Junior field offered very little to challenge James McMaster from making it two wins from two starts in Mountain Bike races this year with Peter Murray and Grant McKeegan being the only other finishers in the class. It was hot and heavy in the Senior class and Colin Starritt was to take a much appreciated and overdue win for the promoting club after finally shaking off the last vestiges of a particularly bad dose of flu. Aidan McDonald was again flying the Apollo flag to the usual boisterous reactions from his team mates while team mate and English exile Andy Layle was taking the last of the prize money in third. Simon McLoughlin was keeping his hand in fourth while Davy Tommons was showing that he had lost none of his renowned downhilling ability. Andy Laverty was riding to his best ever cross country result on a new Giant cross country frame despite having suffered a small dunt on the way to the race, (learner driver), while Darren Quigg was also impressing his Scott/Not Just Sport sponsors who were present with seventh. Eamon Guilfoyle, Colin Gregson and Michael Cowan completed the top ten and then hit the chip van. Sod the health food, give us chips in lard after a race and we’re all happy. Another successful event from the Bann Wheelers stable, roll on August for their XC at Garvagh and Downhill at Coolaveely, both excellent events.
RESULTS
Under 10
1 Matthew Ferguson – Armstrong Bike Dock
2 Thomas Wray – Bann Wheelers Cycling Club
3 Connor McConvey – McConvey Cycles
4 Jessica Laird – Toyota North Down
Under12
1 Lewis Ferguson – Armstrong Bike Dock
2 Philip McLaughlin –
3 James Wray – Bann Wheelers Cycling Club
4 Thomas Baker –
5 Simon Goddard – Toyota North Down
6 Samuel McCreadie – Toyota North Down
7 Owen Watson –
8 Chris Jones – Armstrong Bike Dock
Under 14
1 Graham Laird – Belvoir Road Club
2 Jamie Scott –
3 William Corry –
4 Mark McKillop – Bamford Cycles-Glenarm CC
5 Neill McCallum – Toyota North Down
Under 16
1 Duane McCreadie –
2 Michael Dempster – Toyota North Down
3 Keith Leinster – Toyota North Down
4 Andrew Coupland – Apollo Cycling Team
5 Owen Jeffries –
Ladies
1 Gill Smith – Armstrong Bike Dock
2 Heather Anderson – Toyota North Down
Vets
1 Gareth Jones –
Juniors
1 James McMaster – Ards CC
2 Peter Murray –
3 Grant McKeegan – Madigan Cycles
Seniors
1 Colin Starritt – Bann Wheelers Cycling Club
2 Aiden McDonald – Apollo
3 Andy Layle – Apollo
4 Simon Loughlin – McConvey Cycles
5 David Tommons – North West CC
6 Andy Laverty – Giant UK
7 Darren Quigg – Bann Wheelers CC
8 Eamon Guilfoyle – McConvey Cycles
9 Colin Gregson –
10 Michael Cowan – Chain Reaction
11 James Laird – Toyota North Down
12 Robert Lamont – Phoenix CC
13 Clive Caldwell – North West CC
14 Lee Bowen –
15 Mark Welsh – Bann Wheelers CC
16 Andy McGibbon – Apollo
17 Mark Bartley – Armstrong Bike Dock
18 Russell Callaghan – Bann Wheelers CC
Report by: Uberdog
Original report location here