Date: Sunday 28 May 2006
Event: Round 3 Ulster MTB XC League
Location: Big Wood
Host club: Banbridge CC
Return Of The Mac At Big Wood
Banbridge CC promoted the third round of the Ulster MTB XC League on Sunday, the County Down Club using Big Wood near Warrenpoint for the first time. Ninety riders signed on and the weather was excellent, with the main, four mile course in superb order.
Of all the stories and tales from an exciting day, the one that rose above them all was the return of Aidan McDonald to the MTB scene, just as Mark Morrison’s song said “return of the Mac”. And making the headlines this week again was XMTB’S Gareth Adamson, shortless last week, tubless this week!!!.
The Experts race was a thriller involving three riders, Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers), Damien Mulchrone (Epic) and Aidan McDonald (Apollo). McConville led at the end of the first of four laps before Mulchrone took over on the second lap with McDonald in a close third. Mulchrone looked to be pulling clear of his two rivals, however as he went through the start/finish area to start his last lap he nervously looked around to see McConville and McDonald only six seconds behind. On the final lap it was McDonald who took the advantage, passing Mulchrone and surviving a determined attack from the Epic rider in the closing single track section. Having overcome a number of health problems over the past year McDonald was a very popular winner, with Mulchrone a superb second only a few bike lengths down on the winner. McConville dropped back on the final lap to finish on his own in third. Dubliner Nial Quinlan ((My home.ie) was fourth and the ever improving Ray O’Shaughnessy (Cuchuliann) completing the top five.
After almost loosing his shorts the previous week, XMTB’s Gareth Adamson had to walk the entire last lap after puncturing, Gareth eventually finishing tenth, what will happen this popular rider next?
Gerry McCabe ‘the muscles of Cuchuliann’ totally destroyed the opposition in the Masters race leading the four lapper from start to finish. Banbridge rider Paul Anderson was runner up with his arch rival Andy Wallace (Dave Kane/Northern) in third. Banbridge CC got their only Senior win when William Mulligan took the three lap Vets race. At the end of the first lap Mulligan enjoyed a thirty second lead over his main rival, XMTB’s Robbie Lamont. Disaster struck Lamont early in the second lap when he had to retire after ripping a tyre. So intense was Mulligan’s concentration that he didn’t notice that one of those cheering him on at the end of the second lap was none other than Robbie Lamont!
On the final lap Mulligan never eased up, still believing that Lamont was in second, the Banbridge Vet powered across the finish line performing a giant skid in celebration of his first win of the season. William rushed home from Big Wood to prepare for three weeks of altitude training in France, mixed with a little wine tasting no doubt! Epic’s John O’Reilly continued his fine form to take second as Banbridge rider Jon Runciman scored his best result in ages as he finished third, perhaps it was because his team boss remembered to give him bottles this week! The ever popular Andy Burns took fourth ahead of Cuchuliann’s Declan McCabe with Bob Patterson (Dromara CC) having a superb last lap to pass the two Eamon McConveys, the Belfast version beating the Newry one. Banbridge CC rider Maurice Mayne was tenth as Fred McSorley had his first outing of the season to take tenth, this was after injuring his knee on a multiple crash first lap!
Tim Edgar was the only Elite to enter, the XMTB rider doing four laps, finishing with a severely mangled front brake lever. Graham Boyd was a start to finish winner of the Junior race, the XMTB rider taking the four lapper well clear of runner up Robert McCabe (Cuchuliann) as Andy Godfrey (XMTB) ran out of water on the last lap and limped home on third. Ciara McManus once more won the Ladies race, and then won a bike frame in the raffle! Jes Laird chose to ride the Ladies race instead of U-16, the XMTB lady finishing a fine runner up. Joanne McCallum continued her comeback, this time out taking third.
Epic rider Cormac Power was a convincing winner of the two lap Sports race, though this was only after his main threat Richard Felle (IMBRC) punctured on the final lap, in fact Felle just ran over the line to snatch second from Dromara’s Gary Gray. Newry’s Liam Baxter needed medical attention for a badly cut leg after finishing fourth, just ahead of the latest Dromara sensation Richard Bell.
The U-16 riders had to race over two laps of the main course with Banbridge rider Sean Downey taking a start to finish win, with fellow Club rider Liam McGreevy runner up. Neil McGimpsey (XMTB) was third with Johnny Beers(XMTB) fourth. Christy Brown (XMTB) was fifth as Dromara’s Sam Patterson just sprinted over the line to grab sixth from Chris Cameron (XMTB).
William Boyd (XMTB) scored a fine win in the U-14 event, which took place over one full lap. Banbridge’s Michael Runciman was second and Epic’s Liam Brophy took third, having to ride the last downhill section with a flat front tyre.
Held over three laps of their own course, the U-12 race was lead throughout by Robbie Lamont(XMTB). Mark Downey was second as fellow Banbridge rider Dan Runciman had his best outing in recent weeks to take third. Top U-12 lady was Claire Oakley (XMTB) riding a new bike to beat brother Chris for fourth. On the Small Course, James Curry had no equals in the U-10 race, the little Banbridge rider a clear winner with Madigan’s Ty Mackness runner up and Team Worc rider Dylan Byrne in third.
Newry rider Cain McConvey won a superb U-8 race as he held off a determined challenge from Banbridge pair Richard Baird and John Buller. Series leader Rachel Mayne (Banbridge CC) came from her sick bed to take a brave fourth, with Shannon Buller (Banbridge CC) just getting the verdict in a sprint for fifth with XMTB’s Jack Lamont.
Banbridge CC would like to thank all who supported their race and to St. Johns Ambulance Banbridge for providing first aid cover.
Pictures of the event by Eric Blayney can be viewed by clicking the link below.
See pics by Eric Blayney by clicking below
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Report Andy Potts