Date: Saturday 4 September 2010
Event: Ulster Series Round 6
Location: Craigavon Lakes
Host club: Apollo CT
Round 6 of the Ulster Cross Country Mountain Bike League took place on Saturday 4 September 2010 at the Craigavon Lakes hosted by the Apollo Cycling Team. Race headquarters was in the excellent Watersports Centre which had a room set up for sign-on, a café and shower facilities.
Pre-registration for this event attracted 82 names with a total of 130 riders showing up in total despite the overcast conditions on the morning of the event. The club has been running races at this venue for many years but were staggered by the large entry. Comparing this event to the one held in the same location at the same time last year shows the fantastic increase in numbers attending off-road racing events.
| Category | 2009 | 2010 |
| Under 8s | 6 | 29 |
| Under 10s | 4 | 14 |
| Under 12s | 5 | 8 |
| Under 14s | 4 | 6 |
| Under 16s | 0 | 7 |
| Sport Men | 11 | 33 |
| Sport Women | 2 | 7 |
| Juniors | 3 | 2 |
| Experts | 0 | 2 |
| Masters | 5 | 9 |
| Vets | 5 | 9 |
| Elite Men | 7 | 3 |
| Elite Women | 2 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 54 | 130 |
The weather deteriorated just before the start of the youth races with heavy persistent rain which lasted for 1½ hours. The club had set up two race courses, the youth course which was contained within the grassy hill section of the park and then the senior course which took in the youth course plus the loop around the lake including the established sections of off-road trails through the trees.
The Under 12s were the first away and they had to complete one full lap of the senior course. Next away were the Under 10s who had to complete 4 laps of the youth course and one minute behind them came the big field of Under 8s who had to complete two laps of the youth course. Given the fact that there were 43 young riders on the youth course, all with various laps to complete and in heavy rain, the time keepers were overwhelmed and were unable to provide full placings for all riders.
In the Under 8s it was Cathir Doyle (Carn Wheelers) who took the win making this his fourth win in a row in the series. Behind him was fellow club member Andrew Gordon with his highest placing finishing ahead of league leader Jack Baird (Banbridge CC).
In the Under 10s race it was the ever-present Mark Buller (Banbridge CC) who has won every round of the series to date. Fellow club rider Stuart Dunlop was second with Dromara CC’s Drew Armstrong taking third.
In the Under 12s race it was no surprise when John Buller (Banbridge CC) took the win, as he has won all the other rounds of the series. Richard Baird and Shannon Buller, both from Banbridge CC took the next two spots which replicates the current series standings for these three riders.
Once the Under 12s had finished the next set of riders gathered up at the start line. In the front row were the Under 16s who had two laps of the senior course to complete. Setting off one minute later was a large bunch of Sports riders, both male and female, and they had three laps to complete. Behind them came the smaller bunch of Under 14s riders who had to complete one lap of the senior course. When these riders were underway the prize giving for the first three races took place.
In the Under 14s race it was newcomer to the series, Ryan Orr (Orchard Wheelers) who took the win ahead of Joseph Baird (Banbridge CC) and Alex Bell (XMTB McConvey Cycles).
In the Under 16s race it was the current league leader Stuart Ballantine (XMTB McConvey Cycles) who took the win, this despite having taken a tumble the previous week at the Scottish XC Round at Laggan and ending up injuring his wrist and hand. Fellow club members Chris Oakley finished second ahead of sister Claire Oakley.
In the Sports men race it was current league leader Cathal Doyle (Carn Wheelers) who took the win, his second of the series. Christopher Beattie (Ballymena Road Club) made his debut to the series with a fine second place ahead of Gary McKee (VC Glendale). Time trial specialist Simon Stockton (Team Madigan) was fourth ahead of Gary Shields (Cuchulainn CC) with Camron Burns finishing sixth.
In the Sports Women’s race it was one of the Bikedock Belles, Julie McCorry (Dromara CC) who took the win with Wendy Barry (Orwell Wheelers) in second and league leader Gill Smith in third.
Thankfully the weather improved for the next set of races. Up first were the Elite men with Matthew Blayney (North Down) making the move up from Experts to complete 5 laps of the course. The 2 Junior riders started next followed by the Experts both sets having to complete 3 laps. With no specific race for the one Elite Women, Val O’Neill (Dromara CC) raced with the Masters who had 3 laps to complete. Finally the Vets were the last to set off for their 3 laps.
In the Elite Men’s race Matthew had the perfect start to his upgrade as he won the race comfortably ahead of Myles McCorry (Bikepure) and Graham Boyd (XMTB McConvey Cycles).
Matthew Adair (Banbridge) made it 6 wins out of 6 in the Junior race with newcomer Mark Cantley (Dromara CC) happy to complete the testing course.
In the Experts race it was Matthew Casey (XMTB McConvey cycles) who took the win ahead of Winston Copeland.
In the Master’s race Conor Campbell (Revolution) finished first ahead of Liam McKiverigan (Banbridge CC) and Paul Ferguson (North Down) with Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers) in fourth. Phil O’Neill (Dromara CC) took a nasty tumble and had to be taken to Craigavon hospital for treatment.
In the Veteran’s race it was series leader William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) who took the win ahead of John Bogues (Phoenix CC) with Andrew Burns (Orchard Wheelers) finishing third ahead of fellow club member David Neill.
After racing was complete the riders were able to shower and then enjoy the sandwiches and tray bakes laid on by the club whilst Fred MacSorley conducted the prize givings.
Many thanks to Fred, Derek King and to all the Apollo CT members who helped set up and organise the race. The final round of the UlsterXC series is also the Ulster Championships and will be held on Sunday 12 September 2010 at Tollymore Forest Park hosted by Banbridge CC. For more details see www.ulsterxc.com
Full results here
Commissaire(s): Martin Grimley, Raymond Beers
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos by Michael Armstrong, Joanne McCallum and Martin Grimley