Date: Sunday 22 April 2007
Event: Round 4 K-Capital Cup
Location: Castlewellan
Host club: XMTB
K-Capital MTB Final – Results Added
The International K-Capital Cup series came to a superb end at Castlewellan Forest Park, the fourth and final round promoted by the XMTB Club attracting an entry of 190, the highest of the series. Once again the weather was kind with the forecasted rain thankfully staying away and following the recent dry spell the course was in immaculate condition.
Irish number one Robin Seymour (Team Worc) came to the final round holding a slender two point lead in the overall standings from Dubliner Niall Davis (IMBRC), Seymour having scored one victory to the two of Davis. Having suffered mechanical problems at rounds two and three, Irish Champion Seymour arrived at Castlewellan with a new bike provided by his British team Singletrack/Pipedream.
The Elite Mens race was a seven lap affair and after a first lap skirmish involving visiting riders Adrian Lansley (Pedalon), Gareth Montgomery (Singletrack/Pipdream), Bennjamin Sonntag (Team Fuji Bikes), and Irish riders Niall Davis,Connor McConvey (XMTB) and Peter Buggle (Team Worc), Robin Seymour took control of the race on lap two, launching an attack which paved his way to glory. With each lap that passed Seymour looked like his old confident self as he continually increased his advantage over a second place battle involving Davis and Montgomery. German rider Sonntag enjoyed a brief dual with 46 years old Buggle, in the latter stages the Fuji rider made fourth place his own.
At the end of seven laps it was a jubilant Seymour that was greeted by the applause of the large crowd as he crossed the finish line to clinch the K-Capital Elite title. In the closing stages Davis had broken clear of Montgomery, the winner of the previous two rounds taking second place and runner up in the overall points standings. Following third placed Montgomery was Sonntag, the ever smiling German professing to having enjoyed his second trip of the year to Ireland, but admitting to having an ‘off’ day. The amazing Buggle, the oldest rider in the race, grabbed fifth ahead of the youngest rider in the race, McConvey, though the young Belfast rider scored enough points to take third overall. For the second race in a row, Club MTB Rider’s Simon McConnell collected more world ranking points as he finished in ninth.
The Elite Womens race provided Beth McCluskey (U/A) with her fourth win from four starts, giving her the Elite Womens title. Runner up in the race and the series was Tarja Owens (Team Worc), she at last seems to be finding form after struggling with illness at rounds two and three. Scottish rider Ruth McGavigan took a fine third as XMTB’s Ciara McManus finished in fourth.
Team Worc’s French exile Yvan Sugno wrapped up the Experts title with another runaway success. Dave Barry of IMBRC, one of the most improved riders on the Irish scene, finished a superb second to clinch the runners up slot in the series. Third finisher was the multi talented Conor Campbell (Newry Wheelers). Third place in the points standings went to Team BHB’s Matt Ferguson, though the young Ulster rider retired from the race at half distance. Ulster based rider Luke Ireland had an excellent race as he finished in 9th, Luke also well known at DH events. A surprise entrant in the Experts race was Clive Caldwell, a former Ulster Elite Champion, and responsible for the glory days of racing at Ballykelly Forest. It was good to see Clive back in action even though he didn’t make it to the finish. Clive reported that the Ballykelly course is still in great order, so, anyone fancy having a race there?
Joe McCall was confirmed as Masters champion following his win over the Team Worc trio of Dave King-Smith, Gordon Lucas and Dave Gill. For McCall (Rocky Mountain/K-Capital) it was his second win of the series. Athough he suffered a DNF at Castlewellan, Damian Mulchrone (Epic) finished runner up in the final points tally, with Lucas third. Best Ulster finisher was Andy Wallace (Dave Kane/Northern), Andy celebrating as he crossed the line knowing that he had again beaten his arch rival, Banbridge CC’s Paul Anderson, ‘Mr Buns’ taking 13th. East Antrim’s Danny Hylands was 17th, Dromara CC’s quiet spoken ace Derek Hanna 18th (nice celebration Deek), and in another super battle, Gareth Adamsom just beat his mentor and fellow XMTB rider Jim Laird to 20th place.
The Vets race saw Aidan McDonald notch up his fourth win of the series, the Apollo Club rider from the Cooley peninsula literally a class above the rest of the ‘old men’ at each round. Runner up in the race and the series was Gerry McCabe (Cuchulainn), for once the ‘muscles of Dundalk’ finishing without any blood spewing from his limbs! Andy Burns (Orchard Wheelers) achieved his best ever finish by taking third, however third overall went to race organizer Robbie Lamont (XMTB) who suffered a retirement in his own race due to a puncture. Banbridge CC rider William Mulligan came through the field from a bad start to salvage fourth place, with Paul McMennamin (Leisure Lakes/Specialized) fourth and Gary Wilson (East Antrim/Audi) a close fifth. Jon Runciman (Banbridge CC) overcame a little confabulation with a rider from another class, or as Jon put it, “some English so and so”, to finish seventh. Simon Curry (Banbridge CC) is looking good again after his illness at the end of last year, Simon in 11th place. In the battle of the two Eamon McConveys, it was glory to the Newry version as he snatched 12th from the more friendly Belfast (XMTB) version! (only joking Eamon Newry version). Banbridge CC’s Thomas Magnum lookalike, Willy Forsythe was 17th with birthday boy Maurice Mayne 18th, Maurice being presented with a special birthday cake after the finish. The all smiling Dr Fred McSorley (Apollo) is not listed as I finisher though I am aware he did finish.
The Junior event saw a race long contest between two Banbridge CC riders Sean Downey and Liam McGreevy. The pair circulated together for the entire five laps with Downey grabbing victory by one second. For Downey it meant the overall title, which he adds to his Junior title which he won at the recent Tour of the North road race. McGreevy’s second place gave him second in the series. IMBRC ‘s Paul O’Reilly finished a close third to the two Banbridge riders, though third overall went to fourth finisher on the day, Cuchulainn’s Robert McCabe. XMTB ‘s Graham Boyd had yet another K-Capital disaster, puncturing on the opening lap. Graham made it to the technical zone for a new wheel and rejoined the race salvaging 6th place. Fellow XMTB rider Neil McGimpsey was not so lucky. After having his rear wheel come loose on the opening lap, he recovered to climb up to fourth only to suffer a reoccurrence of back problems which forced his retirement.
The Sports Mens race was won by Cathal McCarthy (MBCC) as XMTB’s Matt Casey snatched a brilliant second with Seamus Byrne(Cuchulainn) third. Robert Magee (Nomad) had his worst result of the series, finishing fifth, however with two wins and a second from the previous rounds he took the overall title. Dromara CC’s Ross Galway was an excellent eighth. Banbridge CC’s Paul Bell was 13th, Liam Baxter (Newry Wheelers) 17th, Cameron ‘Black Belt’ Burns (Apollo ) 18th, Martin Grimley (Dromara CC) 20th, Stevie Prentice (Banbridge CC) 28th, Ronnie Ogilby (XMTB) 31st, and how good it was to see Conor Graham smile for mile after mile on his way to 32nd.
Sadhbh Baxter made the long trip from Galway to score her third win in a row and clinch the Sports Ladies series. Newry’s Ann Duffy was runner up with Inga Doak (M.A.D.) third. Joanne McCallum (Banbridge CC) rode her dads antique MTB to sixth place.
XMTB’s Jonny Beers scored a fine win in the U-16 event, Jonny also taking the title. In his best outing for a long time, Chris Cameron took second, as the all XMTB podium was completed by Willam Boyd. The U-14 race was won by Banbridge rider Michael Runciman, though the result could have been different had runaway leader Matt Adair not had to run for much of the last lap after a crank broke off. Matt just lost to Michael in the short sprint to the finish. Dubliner Robert Scanlon took third, a young rider with a bright future. Banbridge rider Mark Downey took the U-12 race from fellow Bann rider Dan Runciman and XMTB’s Chris Oakley.
James Curry completed his domination of the U-10 class with his fourth win in a row. Newry riders Luke Hanna and Cain McConvey were second and third. John Buller clinched the U-8 series with his third win, crossing the line just ahead of fellow Banbridge riders Richard Baird and Shannon Buller.
The K- Capital Series proved a huge success and has raised the level of XCO MTB in Ireland. Congratulations must go to all the riders who supported the four races, to the four promoting Clubs, Team Worc, Banbridge CC, Cuchulainn and XMTB. Congratualtions also to series organiser/inventor. Robin Seymour and his team, Robin finishing every race and then rushing to tally up the points positions in each class for the wards ceremoney. And lastly to the sponsors, a huge thanks, firstly to Mark Kenny of K-Capital, a name that will now be synonymous with Irish MTB, and to the sponsors of the leaders jerseys, McConveys Cycles, Giant Cycles, H
The full results can be downloaded by clicking the link below
Full Results
Report by Andy Potts