15 September 2007 – Dunmore

The course, designed by Bob Patterson from our own Dromara club, proved to be a challenging one, with tough climbs, tricky down hills and even a small stream to negotiate. The long grass that covered the site proved to be quite energy sapping, as one rider put it “it is a real draggy course”. The course wound its way up and over the Dunmore mountain through routes that were carved out of the ferns. The course was well marked out with both tape and blue arrows as well as a dab of blue paint on the many rocks that protruded out of the grass. There were parts of the course that were sheltered from the cooling wind and with the good weather proved to be real sun traps. This was certainly a day to race in t-shirt and shorts despite being the middle of September.

The layout of the course included a grassy section near the start/finish line that was used by the junior riders for their races and was part of the senior course at the end of their laps. This section made it easy for the many spectators to watch the action, and give their vocal support. It was great to see that Dromara had laid on plenty of tea, coffee and snacks for both spectators and riders.

The Banbridge Club secured another title when Liam McGreevy added the Ulster Junior crown to the Irish version he won in July at Tollymore. The Juniors had six laps of the energy sapping, bike pounding course. Liam led from start to finish with Graham Boyd (XMTB) finishing runner up. Neil McGimpsey (XMTB) was forced out with a reoccurrence of the back problem that has thwarted his 2007 season, though until he retired he was locked in a great battle for second with Boyd. Ciara McManus (XMTB) took the honours in the Elite Ladies class.

One of the biggest shocks of the day was in the Experts race with well known road rider James McMaster (Dave Kane/Northern) performing as if he had been a seasoned mtb campaigner. In fact, many of Ulsters top Experts found the going too tough and retired as McMaster dominated proceedings throughout the five laps. Southern visitor Dave O’Neill (Swords CC) produced a strong ride to take second with Ross Blaney (Ards CC) taking the final podium slot.

Newry’s Martin O’Hagan took the Masters title with a narrow win over Clive Caldwell (Total Cycling), just over a minute separating the pair after five laps. For former Elite title holder Caldwell, it was a perfect first outing on a new bike. The battle for third was even closer and made more interesting by the fact it was a battle between two local rival Clubs. Entering the last undulating 500m section before the finish, Banbridge CC rider Paul Anderson narrowly held third from a fresher looking Derek ‘Deek’Hanna. While momentarily out of sight of the timekeepers and awaiting spectators, Hanna caught and passed Anderson. On the run to the finish it was a jubilant Hanna who raised his arms aloft to celebrate his first ever mtb medal. A notable entry in the Masters race was well known Irish Superbike rider Marshall Neill from Portadown. Marshall enjoyed the mtb experience but found the five laps a little too much.

The ‘old boys’ in the Vets race entertained all right from the start when an atmosphere of ‘chapness’ seemed to descend on the start line in a display of good manners rarely scene in cycling! The race was held over four laps with William Mulligan leading throughout to bring another title to the Bann Club. At the finish the ‘bronzed whippett’ was greeted by a Mexican wave from his own supporters club which stretched for most of the finish straight. Jovial Andy Burns (Orchard Wheelers) entertained spectators around the course in his usual way as he took a fine second. Newry’s Eamon McConvey took third and just about lasted the distance. Apollo’s ace Vet Fred McSorely was forced to run to the finish after he had another of his ‘triple F ‘moments, yes his chain broke again! Fred was overjoyed to have finished fourth and didn’t mind the pain as the two members of British Red Cross cleaned the little cut on his elbow.

Chris Cameron took the honours for XMTB in the U-16 race in which Irish U-16 Downhill Champion Davy Graham (Banbridge CC) finished runner up. Jack Wilson (East Antrim Audi) was a convincing winner in the U-14 class. Runner up Matt Adair (Banbridge CC) fought against the affects of a bad cold to finish second as his fellow Club rider Michael Runciman had to recover from a first lap puncture to eventually finish third. Mark Downey (Banbridge CC) took the U-12 title after holding off a determined challenge from XMTB’s Chris Oakley with Bann rider Dan Runciman a close third.
The underage races started seperately, which was a great idea a s each age group got a free run of the youth course.
The under 8s’ had a tough 2-lap race in which Ben Hanna thought the course was technical and tough. He was happy to finish 7th,  and he especially liked the downhill part.

 The under 12s’ was very tough with 6 laps .As most of you would know, the suspense before a race is about to start is fierce.  Zak Hanna started off in 2nd place, only to be passed by Mark Downey and Chris Oakley in which he maintained 4th place until he fell of in to a pile of logs. Zak was passed by Marcus Pagels, and after jumping on the bike and racing to the line to complete my 5th lap, he eventually passed him and went on to stay 4th
Although Zak  was passed by Mark Downey , the momentum was starting to pick up and he completed the race with plenty of vocal support from Dromara

James Curry as expected took the U-10 title, the young Banbridge rider still to be beaten this season. Behind James, XMTB’s new ace Conor Nairn took second with Banbridge lady Rachel Mayne in third. A great day for Banbridge was completed with John Buller taking the U-8 class, young John another rider who has enjoyed a superb 2007. In a Bann dominated podium, Richard Baird was runner up and Shannon Buller third.

Many congratulations to Dromara CC for such a well organised event, what a pity many of Ulsters MTB riders failed to support the event.