Date: Sunday 15 April 2012
Event: Ulster Series Round 1
Location: Ballykelly Forest, Limavady
Host club: Strabane / Lifford CC
The Ulster Cross-Country Mountain Bike Series for 2012 kicked off with the first round at Ballykelly Forest near Limavady. Host club Strabane / Lifford CC had only put forward the application to host a round of the series in late February and had their work cut out for them preparing the course and the rest of the event organisation. Many thanks to the Forestry Service for their assistance in sorting out the use of the venue.
Within the forest the race start was on the main fire road with lots of single track through the trees being utilised, parts of which were used for one of the first ever mountain bike races in Northern Ireland back in the early ’90’s. This venue has not been used since 2000 but it was still fondly remembered by many of those who turned up to take part this year. This first round attracted over 150 riders from age 6 and over. Once signed on the riders were able to practice on the course. The day had started blustery with a short shower which soon went away leaving a bright day if a bit nippy when standing out of the sun.
After discussion with the organisers the race route for the Under 8s course was amended as the parents and riders deemed it too hard for such young legs. After this delay the racing got underway with the Under 8s doing two laps of this new course. The course was still a challenge for them with lap times close to 5 minutes. The 12 boys and 4 girls lined up and they had separate starting whistles with the girls setting off 15 seconds behind the boys. Winner of the boys race was Neil Kelso (East Tyrone CC) with second place going to Lewis Armstrong (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) and third going to Shea O’Kane (Phoenix CC). In the girls race the winner was Eva Gordon (Carn Wheelers) who finished ahead of Sara Doyle (Spires CC) with Hannah Todd (Muckamore Centurians) taking third place.
Next up were the Under 10s who had to complete 3 laps of the same course. There were 13 boys and 5 girls in this race, again with separate starting whistles. Ben Wilson (Dromara CC) lead from the start to finish well ahead of Jack Baird (Banbridge CC) with fellow club rider Christopher Curry finishing third. In the girls race Kerry Beattie (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) finished first with a close battle between Sarah Elder (Carn Wheelers) and Ellie Kelso (East Tyrone) for second with Sarah getting ahead of Ellie.
The Under 12s then lined up for their race which was 4 laps of the same course as the other youth riders except they had the choice of taking on the twisty climb that was kept out of the earlier races. Eight boys and 5 girls lined up for this one. Craig McCarthy (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) came from 4th on his first lap to first on the penultimate lap and held it to the line. Drew Armstrong, also from Xmtb was second with Cathir Doyle (Carn Wheelers) dropping down to third. Kathryn Doyle (Carn Wheelers) lead from the start with Rachel McLean and Emma Elder, also from Carn Wheelers finishing second and third.
Just after 12 noon the Under 16s were set up on the start line with the Senior 4 men further up the fire road and then the Under 14s further back again. Among the 40 Senior 4 men was the solo entry for the Senior 3 women, Dianne Wilson (Dromara CC). The Under 16s and Seniors had 2 laps of the main course to complete. The Under 14s had to do 3 laps of the shorter course.
James Curry (Banbridge CC) dominated the 6 rider Under 16s race. Darnell Moore and Joseph Baird (Banbridge CC) chased hard but did not get near to James.
For the Senior 4 men’s race Mark Farrell was clearly in a league of his own dominating this category. Dermot McKeogh (Omagh Wheelers) was second with Gavin Treanor third. Paul Daly (Island Wheelers) was fourth with Damien Doyle (Spires CC) fifth and Richard Faloon sixth.
The Under 14s had 9 males and 3 females lined up. Calvin Moore won the males race with Banbridge CC’s John Buller and Richard Baird second and third respectivey. In the females race Shannon Buller (Banbridge CC) won comfortably ahead of a tight race between Niamh Skelly and Alise Mulholland, both from Carn Wheelers. Niamh taking second ahead of Alise.
After a prize giving ceremony the later races were lined up. There were only two entries for the Senior 1 race. Gareth McKee (Banbridge CC) and Lance McCarthy (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) who had just upgraded from Senior 2. They had 5 laps to complete and it was an expected win from Gareth.
The Senior 2 men lined up next with a field of 21 riders and they had 4 laps of the main course to complete. Marc Potts (Omagh Wheelers) dominated this round and actually managed to catch up with Gareth McKee and completed the extra lap with him. Marc is now keen to move up to Senior 1 at the next event. Finishing behind Marc was last years Senior 2 league winner Simon Curry (Banbridge CC) with junior riders Stuart Ballantine (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) and Angus Fyffe (Omagh Wheelers) finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. Veteran rider Robert Lamont (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) was 5th with David McIntyre 6th.
There were two entries for the Senior 1 women, Ciara MacManus and Claire Oakley (WXC Racing). Claire was unable to continue after the first lap which left Ciara to take the win in their 4 lap race.
In the Senior 3 men’s category there were 19 entries for the 3 lap race with Paul McCarter (Omagh Wheelers) taking the win ahead of Stephen Law (Carn Wheelers) with Barry Russell (Carn Wheelers) third. Ciaran O’Hagan and Darragh McCarter, both from Omagh Wheelers were 4th and 5th respectively. There was only one entry for the Senior 2 women’s race and that was Julie Rea (Phoenix CC) who had a good race against the Senior 3 men.
After the racing the host club had laid on a great spread of food in the marquee which the riders enjoyed as the final prize givings went on. Many thanks to the chief organiser Clive Caldwell and to the rest of the Strabane/Lifford club for putting on a great event.
For more details of the next off-road races see www.ulsterxc.com.
Commissaire(s): Martin Grimley
Full results here
Report by Martin Grimley
More photographs here