Round 2 of the Cycling Ulster Cross-country Spring Series took place at the Dundrod Motor Racing Pit area on Sunday 15 March 2026. The course had been changed from Round 1 to help with the flow. Like Round 1 the Saturday before the race was blue skies and sunshine with race day being overcast on arrival with plenty of mud around the course. For Round 2 there were some dense, dark clouds passing the event site which, when they came overhead, changed the spring conditions to wintery conditions with strong winds, sleet and hailstones. This happened a couple of times during the day causing spectators to find shelter, volunteers to hold down gazebos all while the riders kept on riding!
The race attracted 120 entries which was great seeing as it was Mothers Day. The event village was more condensed with the podium and registration in the same place; and Last Lap Café were back providing hot drinks and snack. Thanks again to Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club for the use of the venue.
The first race of the day was the Under 6s who were using their dedicated track just behind the registration tent. We had 7 riders on the start line, 5 boys and 2 girls, and they set off in a clockwise direction around the short course, over the ramps and the log. Goodie bags were provided at the finish. Well done to all the young riders.
The Under 8s lined up on the finish straight. They had 3 laps this time. Charlie McCarter (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) made it two wins from two in the boys’ race. Rory Manogue (Apollo Cycling Team) was second with Jacob Simms third, Charlie Johnston fourth and Joseph McGonagle (Un-Attached Ulster) fifth. Among the girls it was Lexa Clarke (Dunloy CC) who crossed the line first ahead of Alice Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) with Hope Corey (Apollo Cycling Team) third.
The Under 10s started down at the gate. They had 3 laps to complete which took them to the smaller tree line and back. Liam McGonagle (Un-Attached Ulster) improved on his second place at Round 1 to take first place at Round 2. Toby Heywood (Un-Attached Ulster) was second with Jack Corey (Apollo Cycling Team) third. There were no starters for the Under 10 girls.
The Under 12s started further back down the course and they used both the small tree line and the ‘big’ hump in the middle of the course. They had 4 laps. The main battle was between Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) and Jaxon Jennings (Bear Cycling) who were wheel to wheel for the first three laps with Lewis pulling away from Jaxon on the final lap to take the win. Logan McAreavey (Bellurgan Wheelers) was third with Josh Ruddell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) fourth and Thomas Crymble (Apollo Cycling Team) fifth. In the girls’ race Pippa Ruddell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) was the only rider to finish as Emily Jennings (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) retired after lap 1.
After a break for podium presentations it was time for the Under 14s, Under 16s and Women to race. In the Under 16 boys’ race the winner from Round 1, Kealan Doherty had arrived on site but a mechanical meant he didn’t get to start the race. This left just 3 riders competing over 7 laps of the full course. Darragh Murphy (Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club) made his debut at Dundrod taking the win ahead of Dylan Hughes (Carn Wheelers) with Darragh Young (Apollo Cycling Team) finishing third. There were no Under 16 girls registered. In the 4 lap Under 14 boys’ race we had the same podium as Round 1 with Billy Lord (Breffni Wheelers) getting his second win of the series, Rían Watkins (Galway MTB) finishing second (just rewards after another long trip to the venue) and Nathan Baker (Breffni Wheelers) third. Kiyomi Tosh (Ballymena Road Club) was back in the Under 14 girls race and put on another solid performance getting faster each lap.
In the women’s race Catriona Wheeler (Agivey Cycling Club) lead from start to finish over the 6 laps to take her second win of the series. Hazel Murphy (Cuchulainn CC) was second with Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles) third. Laura Birley (Un-Attached Ulster) was fourth with Rachel Jones (Ballymena Road Club) fifth and Selina Lewis sixth. It was during the finish of the Women’s race at the first wintery conditions arrived which included knocking over the finish line gantry.
The weather eased and we had the podium presentations. Next up was the Open race. This was held over 9 laps. Christopher Dawson (Dawson Racing) has been spending his season out in mainland Europe racing against the top international riders. He was home for a week and couldn’t wait to race at Dundrod! He swapped warm weather and dusty trails for cold conditions and mud but it didn’t stop him taking the win. Behind Christopher was Round 1 winner Curtis McKee (Spellman-Dublin Port), who finished second overall but was beaten on the finish straight by his dad David McKee (who was lapped). I’m sure David never mentioned this afterwards 🙂
Gary Donaldson (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) had a great weekend of racing after winning the C2 road race at the Lucan GP on Saturday and then finishing third at Dundrod on Sunday. Dean Harvey (McConvey Cycles) was fourth with Gareth McKee (Cycleology Racing Team) fifth and Darragh McCarter (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) sixth. Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) had been in the top 6 until lap 5 when a rear wheel puncture took him out of the race.
The final race of the day was for the Ebike men, Ebike women and the Retro race (bikes at least 10 years old, 26″ wheels, V brakes etc.) In the Ebike men’s race Barry Toland got his second win of the series. Richard McCartney (Agivey Cycling Club) was second with Carl Henry third and Keith Crymble (Apollo Cycling Team) fourth. Among the Ebike women Hannah McCartney improved on her 4th place at Round 1 to take the win at Round 2, Sara Whiteside (Agivey Cycling Club) was second with Gemma McNamara (Bangor City Bike Club) third and Rebecca Henry (Agivey Cycling Club) fourth.
In the Retro race Pj Hynes (Bellurgan Wheelers) dug out an old bike and showed it was still good to race on as he took the win. Steven Stewart (Team Madigan C.C.) was second with John McGuigan (Dromara Cycling Club) third and Michael Hamilton (Un-Attached Ulster) fourth. Derek Patterson (Castlereagh CC) had some mechanical issues with his old-timer machine and had to retire.
Thanks to everyone for coming along to support the race. A huge thanks to all the volunteers especially given the weather conditions. The third and final round of the Spring Series will take place on Sunday 29 March at the same venue. Expect some more course changes. Entries are now open. https://eventmaster.ie/event/qqbkCP7SQq
Commissaire: Maurice Mayne
Results
Series results after 2 rounds
Race report by Martin Grimley