Blessingbourne Estate in Fivemiletown was the venue for the 2026 Ulster Cross-county Mountain Bike Championships which took place on Sunday 30 August. The estate has had mountain bike trails for over 15 years but this is the first time the championships has been held there. A huge thanks to Nick and Colleen for the welcome. The course took in large parts of the trail network with the riders coming up though the main driveway to the house on each lap. Registration was held in the dining area within the courtyard with tea/coffee available throughout the day from the kitchen (Thanks Laura). The podium was in the courtyard as well. It was overcast for most of the day but we didn’t manage to see any rain.
The first race was for the Under 6s with Charlotte Elliott the only one who turned up. She was followed around by some of the Under 8s to keep her company on her one lap.
The Under 8s used the same bit of trail as the Under 6s but they had two laps to complete. The girls started about 20 seconds behind the boys. Coming round to the finish the first girl Alice Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) managed to outsprint the first boy Nathan Waterworth (Apollo Cycling Team). The same thing then happened for the second places. Sally Mowbray (Apollo Cycling Team) outsprinted Killian Logan (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) to the line. Completing the podium for the boys was Eoghan Gorman (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club). Completing the podium for the girls was Ava Mowbray (Apollo Cycling Team).
Next up were the Under 10s. They had a slightly longer course and have 3 laps to complete. As expected Ríonach Campbell (Square Wheels) managed to pass all the boys, despite starting behind them. Completing the girls’ podium was Elianna Logan (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) who was second and Sadie O’Hagan (Un-Attached Ulster) who was third. In the boys race Senan O’Brien (Square Wheels) took the win with Thomas Elliott (Apollo Cycling Team) second, Michael O’Hagan (Un-Attached Ulster) third and Reuben Alexander (Un-Attached Ulster) fourth.
The Under 12s course was longer again. They had 3 laps to complete. Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) stormed around the course to take the win in the boys’ race. Thomas Crymble (Apollo Cycling Team) was second with Rory Young (Apollo Cycling Team) third and Charlie Lord (Breffni Wheelers) fourth. Emily Jennings (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) was the only starter in the girls’ race.
The final race of the day contained 9 categories. The Under 14s completed 2 laps of the full course, the women and Under 16 girls completed 3 laps with all other categories completing 4 laps.
In the Under 14 boys’ race Billy Lord (Breffni Wheelers) was delighted with his win. Nathan Baker (Breffni Wheelers) was second, William Sunderland (Apollo Cycling Team) was third with Eoin Monteith fourth. In the Under 16 boys race Kealan Doherty (Foyle CC) was the only finisher when Darragh Young (Apollo Cycling Team) fell on lap one and cut his chin badly enough to need stitches in A&E after the race. In the Under 16 girls’ race Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) finished ahead of Aoife Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club).
There was just one rider in the Open category – it was good to see Peter Davison back bike racing again.
In the M50s race Barry Convery (Newry Wheelers CC) led from start to finish. Clive Caldwell (VTT) was second with Justin Doherty (Dunloy CC) third and Ciaran Campbell (Square Wheels) fourth. Wishing Niall McCarron a speedy recovery from his fall.
In the M40s race Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) took the chequered flag ahead of Colin Smith (Square Wheels) with Mark Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) third and Paul Hamilton (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) fourth.
Gareth McKee (Cycleology Racing Team) won the M30s race. Peter Davey (Un-Attached Ulster) was second with Anthony O’Hare (Armagh Down CC) third.
In the women’s race Catriona Wheeler (Agivey Cycling Club) crossed the finish line in first place. Rachel Jones (Ballymena Road Club) was second. Karen Coulter (The Feel Good Factor) crossed the line in third place but an illegal bike change left her disqualified. Laura Brown (Bangor City Bike Club) finished third. A big thanks to Laura and Gillian Kennedy (Agivey Cycling Club) who stopped to help Darragh Young.
In the Senior race David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port) completed a successful weekend, having won the Da Cooley Thriller on Saturday. David’s closest rival was Gary Donaldson (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) who crashed on lap 3.
Well done to all who took part in the race. Thanks to Blessingbourne Estate for having us, thanks to the council for the permission and to all the parents, spectators, marshals and timekeepers for their support.
Results here