Date: Sunday 24 June 2007
Event: Round 3 Ulster MTB XC League
Location: Bangor
Host club: XMTB
ULSTER MTB XC LEAGUE AT CASTLE PARK
Castle Park in Bangor was the setting for the third round of the Ulster MTB XC League, Sunday’s race organised by XMTB. The course was well laid out around the wooded and open areas of the park and as usual the venue lent itself to some superb racing.
The days action began with the Youth races, Banbridge CC’s John Buller claiming the first win of the day with victory in the U-8 race, John yet to be beaten in the U-8 class in 2007. Runner up to John was his sister Shannon with fellow Bann rider Richard Baird a close third. James Curry (Banbridge CC) notched up another U-10 win as XMTB’s Conor Nairn fended off fast finishing Rachel Mayne (Banbridge C) to claim second.
Chris Oakley gave XMTB their first win of the day when he came from behind to win the U-12 event. For the early part of the race Chris held second place to Banbridge’s Dan Runciman, but on the final lap Chris made his move to snatch the win form great rival Dan. Dromara CC’s rapidly rising MTB star Zak Hanna took a well deserved third. The U-14 race provided one of the best contests of the day as East Antrim’s Jack Wilson fought a mega dual with Banbridge CC’s Matt Adair. Held over four laps of the main course, Matt and Jack rode in nose to tail formation for three laps in a tense battle of wits. Setting out on the final lap Jack attacked on the long grassy climb and managed to break clear from Matt, managing to hold the lead until the finish to grab a brilliant victory. Matt finished a close second with Bann rider Michael Runciman third and XMTB’s Claire Oakley in fourth.
The U-16 race was an all XMTB affair, the six lapper bringing a dual between William Boyd and Chris Cameron, William attacking on the final lap to grab the win. Lakeland CC’s Michael Hamilton scored another success in the Sports race the lanky ace leading from start to finish. Ronan Corrigan , like Hamilton another great addition to the racing scene this year, took the runner up position and still on a high following his Saturday success at Richhill, Banbridge’s Stevie Prentice took his best ever finish in a league race as he crossed the line in third. Stevie, slightly chubby and rapidly going grey, told his fans that he will finish the year in the Sports Class and decide whether to move up to the Masters or Elite classes next year! Newry’s Anne Duffy won the Sports Womens Class inspite of suffering from a nasty cold with Nicola Oldham (Banbridge CC) runner up.
Lewis Ferguson made a welcome return to MTB action and did so in style as he won the 10 lap Elite race. Aidan McDonald (Apollo) took a break from the Vets class to finish second as Club MTB Rider’s Simon McConnell produced a strong ride to take third. Conor Campbell (Newry Wheelers) scored a runaway win in the Experts Class as cheeky chappy Matt Ferguson somehow finished second, this after almost retiring at one stage and also having water squirted in his face by brother Lewis, though Lewis must be commended for doing so!!! Matt Blaney had no such trouble as he finished on his own in third.
Former top motor cycle racer Maurice Ruddock won the Masters race which immediately sent most of us searching the record books, when was the last time a Phoenix rider won an MTB XC race? This was a great success for Maurice in what is his debut season in MTB. Banbridge CC’s Paul Anderson was runner up after winning an epic dual with the regular ‘thorn’ in his side Andy Wallace (Dave Kane/Northern). Special mention must go to Dromara CC rider Derek Hanna who finished fourth, his best league result on the day after he made his open road race debut. The old mens event, better known as the Vets, was won by XMTB’s Robbie Lamont, a start to finish winner. After a slow start, Paul McMenamin (Specialized/Leisure Lakes) made rapid progress through the field to take a close second to Lamont. A great battle for fourth saw Andy Burns (Orchard Wheelers) just snatch third from East Antrim’s Gary Wilson while William Mulligan and his alleged fake sun tanned legs just did enough to hold fellow Bann rider Simon Curry out of fifth! Neil McGimpsey won the Junior race.
Report by Andy Potts