Date: Saturday 6 September 2008
Event: Round 2 Ulster MTB League
Location: Craigavon Watersports Centre
Host club: Apollo CT
Today Apollo CT hosted the second round of the Ulster MTB XC league at the popular Craigavon Watersports Centre. It was a damp day when the first competitors arrived to sign on but as predicted by the weather forecasters the day brightened, the rain stopped however the wind did not.
The junior course was based on the nearby field behind the centre with a steep muddy climb through wet grass and then downhill along the muddy bank and back to the start/finish. The senior course used the same field but then headed out around a four mile loop around the lake with many off road bits through the trees off the main tarmaced cycle paths. These off-road bits were muddy and full of puddles but they flowed really well and riders enjoyed “skiing” through the trees. The course included a steep drop from one bridge and under another, however due to the recent rains the river had swollen until the path under the bridge was submerged. We were given assurances on our practice lap from the marshall on the bridge that there was a path below the water just “stick to the right hand side and you will be fine”. Overall, this was a fast course and suited the road racers who have switched over to off-road cycling for the winter.
The event attracted approximately 70 riders and it was great for the mountain bikers to meet up after a long period without any mtb races in Northern Ireland. Dromara Cycling Club did well with young Ben getting 3rd in the under 8’s, Martin getting 2nd in the Sports category (3 laps) and Ross winning the 4 lap Expert race. Dromara also had newcomer Kieran Thomas in the sports event. Although Kieran was unable to complete the course this time he is determined to stick at the mountainbiking.
Apollo had provided some excellent trophies and Fred McSorley from the club was prompt to have the first prize giving for juniors and sports riders very quickly after the sports race. A bit too quick as Fred was awarding Nichola Oldham (Banbridge CC) her trophy while Nicola was only halfway around her final lap !!
“I had a great race and throughly enjoyed the event. I started from the front row of the grid and took off quickly ahead of the other chasing 9 riders. I remained ahead going through the field and out around the lake. It was only until the end of the tarmaced road at the far end of the lake (close to the hill over the concerte builing) when 5 riders came past me in a tight bunch. I battled to stay with them and managed to get past some of them by the end of lap one especially after one of the riders crashed in front of me and I nearly cycled over him!!. It was on the second lap that I had got my breathing right and passed more of the riders. On the third and final lap I found myself on my own for most of the 4 miles but continued pushing to make sure I wasn’t caught. I was very pleased with my 2nd place the highest I have ever achieved. I was without my two main rivals as Stephen Prentice was acting as course commissaire (well done Stevie) and Ronnie Ogilby, after seeing a note up at sign on that Sports and Masters were both doing 3 laps, he chose to do Masters. He must of had second thoughts when Michael Holland asked the organisers to increase the laps for Masters etc up to 4 laps. Unfortunately Michael retired early due to mechanical problems but Ronnie went on to get 2nd. (Great going Ronnie!)” Martin
Food and showers were provided in the Watersports centre. A big thank you to Fred McSorley, Derek King and the rest of the Apollo members for putting on a great event. A great, flat, fast but mucky course. All will be very different at Dunmore next Saturday!
Full results given below
UNDER 8
1. Mark Buller (Banbridge CC)
2. Shenna Mc Kiverigan (Banbridge CC)
3. Ben Hanna (Dromara CC)
4. Jack Baird (Banbridge CC)
5. Drew Armstrong U/A
6. Rebekah Ogilby (Xmtb)
7. Anna Russell (Carn wheelers)
8. Niamh McKiverigan (Banbridge CC)
UNDER 10
1. Richard Baird (Banbridge CC)
2. John Buller (Banbridge CC)
3. Shannon Buller (Banbridge CC)
UNDER 12
1. James Curry (Banbridge CC)
2. Joseph Baird (Banbridge CC)
3. Rachel Mayne (Banbridge CC)
4. Aimee Ogilby (Xmtb)
5. Rory Thompson U/A
UNDER 14
1. Kyle McEwan (Xmtb)
2. Claire Oakley(Xmtb)
3. Daniel Runciman (Banbridge CC)
4. Chris Oakley( Xmtb)
5. Robbie Lamont (Xmtb)
6. Stuart Ballantine(Xmtb)
7. Zak Hanna (Dromara CC)
8. Daniel Gordon(Banbridge CC)
UNDER 16
1. Matthew Adair (Banbridge CC)
2. Michael Runciman (Banbridge CC)
3. William Boyd (Xmtb)
4. Mantas Spirgius (Juiced Orchard)
5. Nick Lannooti U/A
SPORTS WOMEN
1. Nicola Oldham (Banbridge CC)
SPORTS MEN
1. J J Conway (Harps)
2. Martin Grimley (Dromara CC)
3. Camron Burns (Apollo CT)
4. Ian Buchannan U/A
5. Andy Millar U/A
6. Andrew Adair (Banbridge CC)
MASTERS
1. Danny Hylands (East Antrim Audi)
2. Ronnie Ogilby (Xmtb)
3. Stephen Coogan (Xmtb)
EXPERTS
1. Ross Galway (Dromara CC)
2. Colm Mullen U/A
3. Ronan Corigan (Xmtb)
VETS
1. Robert Lamont (Xmtb)
2. Paul McMenamin (Leisure lakes)
3. John McCabe (Cuchulainn CC)
4. Andrew Burns (Juiced Orchard)
5. Simon Curry (Banbridge CC)
6. John Runciman (Banbridge CC)
7. Paul Anderson (Banbridge CC)
8. Jonathan Buller (Banbridge CC)
9. Maurice Mayne (Banbridge CC)
10. William Forsythe (Banbridge CC)
ELITE
1. Aiden McDonald (Apollo CT)
2. Simon McConnell (Real Cycles)
Report by: Martin Grimley
Original report location here