Date: Sunday 5 June 2011
Event: Ulster Series Round 4
Location: Magheramorne Quarry, Larne
Host club: Team Madigan
Round 4 of the Ulster Cross Country Mountain Bike Series 2011 took place at Magheramorne Quarry near Larne in County Antrim. This is the fifth year that host club Team Madigan have had access to this site to put on a race and the club is grateful to the landowners Lafarge. Unfortunately this was the first year that the race day was not a scorcher with driving rain since day break having an effect on the turn out as many riders just rolled over and stayed in bed. The brave ones who did come found that the limestone quarry holds up well under bad weather and there was little difference in the ‘grip’ found on the course.
The organisers had reviewed the course from last year and had reduced the lap length adding in some new sections near the Larne Lough coast and having all senior riders go through the tunnel which has been done up as part of the film set for Game of Thrones.
Racing got underway at 11 am with the twelve Under 8s lined up for their 2 lap race. Christopher Curry (Banbridge CC) lead from the start but a determined Shea O’Kane (Phoenix CC) came through to take the win. Christopher was second with Fraser Harrower (Dromara CC) third. Ryan Stewart (Phoenix CC) was fourth with Neil Kelso fifth and Adam McCaughtry (Dromara CC) sixth. Eva Gordon (Carn Wheelers) was the only girl to take part.
The Under 10s had 11 starters for their 4 lap race around the same circuit. Mark Buller (Banbridge CC) continued to stamp his authority and lead from the start to finish a clear winner ahead of Cathir Doyle (Carn Wheelers) with Drew Armstrong (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) third. Andrew Gordon (Carn Wheelers) was fourth with Jack Baird (Banbridge CC) fifth and Callum Stewart (Phoenix CC) sixth. Niamh McKiverigan (Banbridge CC) was the first girl to finish with Sarah Elder (Carn Wheelers) giving chase as was Ellie Kelso and Amy Roberts (3rd and 4th respectively).
The Under 12s had their own course laid out which the 9 riders had to do 2 laps of. This was the only category where the number of girls exceeded the boys, in this case 5 girls and 4 boys. With Mark Buller winning the Under 10s it was brother John Buller (Banbridge) who won this category finishing well clear of Craig McCarthy (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) with Max Anderson (Orchard Wheelers) third and Max Melville (Dromara CC) fourth. The top 3 girls finished in a bunch with Kathryn Doyle (Carn Wheelers) beating Rachel McLean for first place with Rebekah Ogilby (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) third ahead of Emma Elder and Lauryn Heaney both from Carn Wheelers.
At noon the next set of races were organised. The five Under 16s set off first for their two laps with the Senior 4 men and Senior 3 women going next and finally the eight Under 14s who had 4 laps of their own course to complete.
The Under 16s race was a close battle between David Montgomery (Banbridge CC) and Chris Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles). David managed to puncture and then ran with his bike back to the finish area to get a new wheel and then charged on to finish first. Daniel Runciman (Banbridge CC) was third with Alex Bell (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) fourth and Jonathan Collins (Dromara CC) fifth.
The Senior 4 mens race had the biggest field of the day with 19 riders lined up for 2 laps of the senior course. With the changes to the course length and the excellent condition of the track making for some fast racing, the Senior 4 mens race finishing in just over 30 minutes. This was much less than the riders were used to but given the damp conditions there wasn’t too many complaining!! The race was lead from early on by Stephen Kelly (Dromara CC) with Stephen Law and Ryan Walsh (both from Carn Wheelers) chasing hard but this was the finishing order. Martin Grimley (Dromara CC) was fourth with Darren Mulholland fifth and Shane Elder sixth, both of these riders from the strong Carn Wheelers club. Just two braved the rain for the Senior 3 women’s race and it was the more experienced Dianne Keys who took the win from rookie Roisin Hughes (Dromara CC).
The Under 14s race saw a close contest between James Curry (Banbridge CC) and fellow club mate Joseph Baird with James finishing the four laps just 5 seconds clear of Joseph. Richard Baird, also from Banbridge CC was third over a minute clear of Gareth Kerr (Xmtb McConvey Cycles). First girl was Shannon Buller (Banbridge CC) who was 5th overall with Shenna McKiverigan, also from Banbridge CC finishing as second girl and 6th overall.
The next races lined up at 1:30 and there were some very small categories for this event. There were just 2 in the Senior 1 mens race which was fought over 5 laps by William Mulligan and Gareth McKee, both from Banbridge CC with William finishing ahead of Gareth. With series leader Matthew Adair away in Donegal racing on the roads, Craig Rea (ChainReaction Cycles) was the only entrant and he had a bad start having to pit almost immediately to replace a wheel. Craig completed 3 laps of the course in 1 hour 6 minutes. There were no Senior 1 women entered.
The Senior 2 mens race was a much more tense affair with Simon Curry (Banbridge CC) in a tight contest with Brendan Doherty (V C Glendale) and Ross Blayney (North Down CC) but after 4 laps it was Simon, Brendan and Ross as first, second and third. Eamon McConvey of Xmtb McConvey cycles was fourth with Andrew Burns (Orchard Wheelers) fifth and Geoff Brown (Dromara CC) sixth.
The Senior 3 mens race had 15 entrants for the 3 lap race. David Neill (Orchard Wheelers) was just 7 seconds ahead of series leader Bob Talbot (Harps CC). Stephen Kelleher (Cuchulainn CC) was third with Barry Kellett (Dromara CC) fourth, host club’s Jason Coulter fifth and David Blevins (Harps CC) sixth. Four riders in this category pulled out with mechanical trouble.
As per the Senior 3 womens race the Senior 2 womens race had just 2 entrants for their 3 lap race. Series leader Gill Smith finished first ahead of Julie Rea (ChainReaction Cycles) who is also second in the league to date.
After the racing was over the riders were able to tuck into the superb grub laid on by the hardworking volunteers from the club. A podium had been erected and the prize givings took place. Many thanks to Team Madigan for putting on a great event despite the rain. Fingers crossed the sun returns for next year.
The next round of the Ulster XC MTB Series will be held on Sunday 2 July 2011 at Dunmore mountain. See www.ulsterxc.com for details. Before that IMBRC is hosting the next round of the Irish National Point Series (NPS) at Slade Valley, Dublin on Sunday 26 June 2011. There is also the Sperrin Mountain Bike Sportive hosted by Harps CC on Saturday 18 June 2011.
Commissaires: Martin Grimley and Ronnie Ogilby
Full results here
Report: Martin Grimley
Photos: Martin Grimley and Claire Oakley
More photos here