Date: Sunday 25 May 2008
Event: Round 3 NPS
Location: Magheramorne Quarry, Larne
Host club: Team Madigan
Sunshine MTB For Madigan
Round three of the Irish Mountain Bike Cross Country Series took place on Sunday at Magheramorne Quarry near Larne in County Antrim, the event proving a resounding success for the MTB crew from promoters Team Madigan. First used in 2007, the venue again provided superb action, proving that
MTB is not a ‘Forest Only ‘sport. Weather conditions were superb and the course ultra dry, what a great day!
The Elite Men’s race attracted a good entry, the riders facing six laps of the main course. How good it was to see Lewis Ferguson (Dave Kane/Northern) back in MTB action for the first time since last summer, Lewis having been playing with the roads in recent months. At the end of the opening lap a great battle had developed between Ferguson, Ryan Sherlock (Torq/MAD) and Peter Buggle (Team Worc). This mid afternoon dusty clash was shortlived when Ferguson crashed out on the second lap, retiring with a cut knee. With Ferguson out it was left to Sherlock and Buggle to dispute the lead with Joe McCall (Rocky Mountain/K-Capital) looking strong in third.
By the end of lap four the two leaders were being reeled in by McCall. Fourth was held by IMBRC’s James McCluskey while Richard Felle (Team Worc) and John O’Reilly (Epic) enjoyed a great battle for fifth. On the final circuit Sherlock broke clear of Buggle to snatch the win, his second of the 2008 series. Buggle took second with McCall a close third which keeps him at the top of the Elite points table. McCluskey was happy with fourth as Felle pulled clear of O’Reilly on the last lap to claim a good fifth. In the Elite Women’s race, a four lapper, Mel Spath (MAD) was a start to finish winner. Runner up was Cait Elliott (UCD), Cait back in Ireland after being based in South America for the last six months. Style guru Johnny Beers (East Antrim/Audi) took the honours in the Junior race ahead of IMBRC’s latest Junior ace Tadhg Griffin.
The five lap Experts race produced a brilliant win for IMBRC rider Luke Manning, the Dubliner finishing six minutes clear of runner up and points leader Oisin Boydell (UCD). For three laps Boydell had to contend with Newry’s Gary Henning until Henning was forced out with a puncture on the penultimate lap. Well known for his road racing and cyclo cross exploits, Gary Henning is a welcome new addition to MTB events. Ulster rider Michael Holland made up for a dnf at round two by finishing in third, with another of the IMBRC squad, Dave O’Brien, at last looking as if he has found form by taking a close fourth. Finishing just behind this pair in fifth was Swords CC’s Dave O’Neill. For Dromara CC rider Ross Galway sixth place was an excellent result, this after he was seen to be stopped by the police on the way to the event, Ross claiming he knew the policeman, we believe you Ross!
The four lap Masters encounter produced a fine win for Swords CC rider Mark Allen, the English exile as usual cheered on by his own personal fan club. Allen led for most of the way with Newry’s Conor Campbell a close second, the points earned putting Campbell at the top of the Masters league table. Team Worc’s Stewart Galloway, another rider enjoying a good spell of form, took third with fellow Club rider Gordon Lucas making up for a slow start to eventually grab 4th place, with yet another Worc rider, Noel Carr a close 5th. In the battle of the ‘oldies’, or sometimes called the Vets, Apollo’s Aiden McDonald was in a class of his own as he demolished the opposition. The King of Cooley led from start to finish and then did an extra two laps as a warm down! One of the ‘Bull McCabes’, Gerry , grabbed second place, the muscle bound Cuchulainn ace just doing enough to hold off Banbridge CC’s William Mulligan. In fact Mulligan had a real fight on his hands to stay ahead of Paul McMenamin (Leisure Lakes), the Omagh rider clearly enjoying the technical parts of the course. McCabe number two, Johnny, was happy with 5th place, especially as he is saving himself for the Trans Alps in July and stated that he wished Gerry would do the same. The other McCabe, number three Declan, just lost 7th to Team Worc’s Steve Nicolson, the pair producing an entertaining sprint to the line, great to see the old men enjoying themselves.
The Sports Men’s event, 3 laps, produced a good win for XMTB’s Ronan Corrigan however it was IMBRC’s Cornelius Duffy, runner up, who had cause to celebrate. Following round 2, Cornelius took a fair amount of flak from his fellow Club mates, so at Magheramorne he had a point to prove, and that he did! Joey Jones, also IMBRC finished just behind Duffy in third. Ulster based Davy Neill had a good ride to 4th with newcomer Martin O’Reilly in 5th. For Dromara CC’s Martin Grimley, sixth was a good result, though he was somewhat disappointed that arch rivals Stevie Prentice (Banbridge CC) and Ronnie Ogilby (XMTB) failed to show up, Martin reckons they are too scared to face him! In the Sports Womens class Sorrento’s Linda Haug proved too strong for Newry’s Anne Duffy.
Banbridge CC’s Matthew Adair took the honors in the U-16 race, this after Matthew travelled to the race after being unwell the previous night, apparently he was afraid to cough during the race! Runner up was another of the Banbridge squad, Michael Runciman, he was showing a return to form after early season injuries sustained while playing rugby. In the U-14 race, Claire Oakley (XMTB) produced an excellent ride to score a great win over her male rivals, Dan Runciman (Banbridge CC) in second and the ‘mighty atom’ Chris Oakley (XMTB) in third. Another rider going well of late is Dromara CC’s Zak Hanna who grabbed 4th after a good battle with XMTB’s Stuart Ballantine.
James Curry once again ruled in the U-12 class, the young Banbridge rider leading throughout the two lapper. Congratulations to young XMTB rider Alex Bell who had one of his best ever outings to snatch second ahead of Banbridge CC’ Rachel Mayne. Another rider having a best ever ride was XMTB’s Aimee Ogilby, the young lady fending off a couple of gentleman to snatch 4th, well done Aimee. In a brilliant dual for 5th, Banbridge CC’s Joseph Baird just pipped Eoghan O’Reilly (U/A). Keeping up the good run of results for Banbridge, John ‘JB’ Buller narrowly beat fellow Bann rider Richard Baird to win the U-10 outing. Newry’s Cian McConvey battled well to snatch 3rd from Bann girl Shannon Buller. Greg Bell took fifth for XMTB from Joel Smyth, also XMTB, with Ards CC’s number one MTB rider Matthew McBratney smiling all the way to 7th, which certainly pleased his coach, Mr. Danny!
In the U-8 class it was Banbridge lady Shenna McKiverigan who took victory, leading throughout the two laps. U-8 riders should note that K-Capital U-8 Champion, Stuart Dunlop, is well on the road to recovery after a practice crash that saw his arm in plaster. From everyone in MTB, get well as soon as you can Stuart, we all miss your non stop talking! Banbridge CC’s super smiler, and coolest rider on the circuit, Mark Buller finished runner up, as one of the biggest cheers of the day went to Kendal Mackness of the promoting Madigan Club. The battle for fourth was an epic, as newcomer, Drew Armstrong from Killyleagh, just edged out Newry’s Fergal McConvey.
Yes folks, it was a most enjoyable day down at the Quarry, a good course, well organised and good fun. To those who stayed away because it was not a MTB race in a forest, you are a shame to the sport. Many thanks to Team Madigan for the après race nosh and to Chain Reaction Cycles for sponsoring the spot prizes. If anyone has any pics from the race could they please email them to marianlamb@cyclingulster.com.
The next round of the Irish NPS is promoted on Sunday 15th June by Epic at the superb Djouce Woods course, Epic working hard at present to put in a few new trails.
Report: Andy Potts
Original report location here