Date: Saturday 24 June 2006
Event: Round 4 Ulster MTB XC League
Location: Tievenadarragh Forest
Host club: Dromara CC
Round four of the Ulster Mountain Bike Cross Country League was held on Saturday at Tievenadarragh Forest, Seaforde, promoted by Dromara CC, the first ever MTB race to be hosted by the popular County Down Club.
The course was quite simply brilliant, and was enjoyed by every rider, however the race could have been better supported by the MTB community. This great venue will host the Ulster Champs on Sunday 27th August.
The first ever winner at the new venue was Banbridge CC’s James Curry who blitzed the opposition in the U-10 race, the U-10 /U-8 riders having their own mini course. Jill Curry, sister of James, took runner up, as Dromara CC newcomer,Jordan Patterson overcame a nasty tumble to just edge Aimee Ogilby (XMTB) out of third. The well supported U-8 race saw Cain McConvey (Newry Wheelers) score a narrow win over Banbridge rider Richard Baird. In an all lady battle for third, Rachel Mayne got the better of fellow Banbridge rider Shenna McKiverigan. Young Jack Lamont (XMTB) was fifth, and followed over the line by Joseph Baird (Banbridge CC) and Newry’s Fergal McConvey.
The U-12 riders raced over one full lap and it was XMTB’s Robbie Lamont who took the honours. Banbridge rider Dan Runciman had one of his best races in recent weeks to finish second. Claire Oakley (XMTB), continued to show a new found confidence with a superb third place, as her brother Chris was fourth. Markus Pagels (XMTB) had a good run to fifth, ahead of Dubliner Dylan Byrne, who made a guest appearance in the U-12 race after missing the start of the U-10 event. Stuart Ballintine (XMTB) was seventh.
The two lap U-14 race produced another thrilling dual between William Boyd (XMTB) and Michael Runciman (Banbridge CC). Ending the first lap William just held the lead from Michael, however by the finish the positions had changed as Michael took the victory with William having to settle for second. Jack Wilson (East Antrim Audi), a new recruit to the Cycling Ulster MTB Academy, was third as Banbridge lady Harriet Mayne was well pleased with fourth. Well done to XMTB newcomer Chris Millar on finishing fifth, the young rider doing well after not having time to get a practice lap.
The U-16 race, a three lapper, saw Banbridge rider Liam McGreevy score an emphatic start to finish win. Known in local circles as ‘the whippet’, Liam crossed the line well ahead of XMTB duo Johnny Beers and Jess Laird. The U-16 entry suffered due to riders being on holiday and Banbridge rider Sean Downey was a non starter due to injury.
The well supported Sports race, held over three laps, was dominated by riders from Dromara CC. Davy McKnight, known for his interesting hair style and road racing exploits, was a surprise start to finish winner, though he had to work hard to fend off fellow Club rider Ronnie Smyth, another top road rider, who holds dual citizenship with Dromara CC and Banbridge CC!. A superb result for the promoting Club was completed with Richard Bell in a good third. XMTB rider Gareth Adamson made a guest appearance in the Sports Class and finished fourth. Darren Weir, yet another of the Dromara crew, enjoyed a multi crash opening lap, but recovered to take fifth as David Smyth from Loughinisland was well pleased with his first ever race as he finished in sixth. Derek Hanna of Dromara fame, was seventh, and not at all pleased, but as he was told by fellow club members, if he did some training he might get a better result! Martin Grimley was 8th with Dromara rider Dennis McMullan overcoming a spectacular crash to finish 9th in his first ever race. Newry’s Ann Duff took the ladies Sports award from Joanne McCallum, the XMTB lady fighting off sickness throughout the race. Special mention must go to Banbridge rider Stephen Prentice who had to retire after an incident on the opening lap when he injured a certain part of his body, a hint would be onions and tears!
James McCluskey (Team WORC) made the trip up from Dublin to win the Elite race, five laps, James using the race as a final workout before the next round of the British series. Tim Edgar of XMTB fame was runner up.
Apollo CT’s MTB ace, Aidan McDonald, continued his remarkable return from injury to win the five lap Experts race. Aidan led from start to finish, though he had to work hard to keep Cuchuliann rider Ray O’Shaughnessy behind him, Ray having one of his best ever outings to finish runner up. The first two lap saw great battle for third between Simon McConnell (U/A),Paul Bell (Banbridge CC) and Gary Cranston (East Antrim Audi), the trio entertaining the spectators with close formation racing. In the closing laps it was Banbridge CC’s latest signing Bell who made the break to secure third place. Road ace Cranston took fourth with McConnell only six seconds back in fifth. Steven McKenna (East Antrim Audi), better known for his road racing, did well to finish sixth. The McSorely brothers, Ali and Peter made a welcome return to the local MTB scene, the pair giving all a laugh as they rode around, Ali taking 7th and Peter 8th.
Paul Anderson (Banbridge CC), notched up yet another Masters win and then proceeded to feed the entire entry with his famous buns! Runner up to Paul in the five lapper was his arch rival, Andy Wallace (Dave Kane/Northern). Banbridge rider Simon Curry took a brave third as he suffered from severe leg pain.
The four lap Vets race produced a start to finish win for a very tanned William Mulligan, the Banbridge rider having just returned from a three week trip to France where he rode all the famous ‘Tour’ climbs in the Alps, it must have been thirsty work! Robbie Lamont (XMTB), had to settle for second, the popular Vet still suffering from a finger injury sustained at the Pog, though will soon be heading of to Spain to give the finger some rest,could be thirsty work! Third place went to John O’Reilly of Epic Club fame, John a very welcome inclusion in the Vets class this year. Gary Wilson (East Antrim Audi) continued to enjoy his MTB rejuvenation with a good fourth as course designer Bob Patterson made up for a slow start to take fifth. Banbridge rider Jon Runciman scored more useful league points with sixth place as Newry’s Eamon McConvey took 7th. Maurice Mayne enjoyed his ride to 8th, cheered on by his own huge supporters club. And then came Trevor Annett. Yes the Dromara CC stalwart enjoyed a few over the bar excursions as he completed the three laps, during which he conducted interviews and posed for photographs. Well done for finishing Trevor.
Graham Boyd of XMTB was the sole Junior rider, so he scored a great win, and in the Ladies Elite race Beth McCluskey made a welcome return to win from XMTB’s Ciara McManus, Ciara lucky to finish after suffering a nasty asthma attack at the end of the opening lap, brought on by hay fever.
Well done to all at Dromara CC, a great course and great atmosphere, so come on all you mtb riders, come along to Tievenadarragh at the end of August for a great days racing and craic.
To end, a special mention to two MTB legends. Raymondo Beers of the XMTB Club, recently celebrated his 50th birthday, best wishes from us all Raymond. Spectating at Saturday’s race was Apollo’s MTB legend Geoff Coupland. Geoff has just returned from Italy where he was working as a ski instructor. Welcome back Geoff, now lets see you back out on the bike again!
For more of Andy’s action shots click the gallery link below.
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Results
U-8 (small course)
1 Cain McConvey
2 Richard Baird
3 Rachel Mayne
4 Shenna McKiverigan
5 Jack Lamont
6 Joseph Baird
7 Fergal McConvey
U-10 (small course)
1 James Curry
2 Jill Curry
3 Jordan Patterson
4 Aimee Ogilby
U-12 1 lap
1 Robbie Lamont 28.48
2 Dan Runciman 31.12
3 Claire Oakley 32.32
4 Chris Oakley 34.19
5 Markus Pagels 37.32
6 Dylan Byrne 40.20
7 Stuart Ballintine 41.11
U-14 2 laps
1 Michael Runciman 43.32
2 William Boyd 44.22
3 Jack Wilson 50.04
4 Harriet Mayne 1.10.56
5 Chris Millar 1.14.44
U-16 3 laps
1 Liam McGreevy 54.07
2 Johnny Beers 1.04.30
3 Jess Laird 1.10.50
SPORTS 3 laps
1 Davy McKnight 1.03.30
2 Ronnie Smyth 1.04.16
3 Richard Bell 1.05.31
4 Gareth Adamson 1.06.34
5 Darren Weir 1.07.20
6 David Smyth 1.09.13
7 Derek Hanna 1.11.13
8 Martin Grimley 1.11.50
9 Ann Duff 1.20.31
10 Joanne McCallum 2 laps
Ross Galway dnf
Stephen Prentice dnf
JUNIOR 4 laps
1 Graham Boyd 1.20.06
VETS 4 laps
1 William Mulligan 1.17.45
2 Robert Lamont 1.20.03
3 John O’Reilly 1.22.19
4 Gary Wilson 1.23.04
5 Bob Patterson 1.25.33
6 Jon Runciman 1.28.30
7 Eamon McConvey 1.36.33
8 Maurice Mayne 1.44.12
9 Trevor Annett 1.57.53
MASTERS 5 laps
1 Paul Anderson 1.38.27
2 Andy Wallace 1.39.40
3 Simon Curry 1.45.05
LADIES 4 laps
1 Beth McCluskey 1.21.03
2 Ciara McManus 1.31.02
EXPERTS 5 laps
1 Aidan McDonald 1.27.08
2 Ray O’Shaughnessy 1.30.04
3 Paul Bell 1.35.27
4 Gary Cranston 1.37.33
5 Simon McConnell 1.37.39
6 Steven McKenna 1.43.26
7 Ali McSorley 4 laps
8 Peter McSorley 4 laps
ELITE 5 laps
1 James McCluskey 1.22.22
2 Tim Edgar 1.28.44
Report and Pics Andy Potts