Dromara Cycling Club promoted the 4th round of the 2007 Ulster Cyclo Cross League, on Sunday 4th November. The race was held at the excellent surroundings of Lisburn Island Centre and Lagan Tow Path. This was the third time the event was run at this venue and the river banks were showing there finest autumn splendour. Dromara CC members put a big effort into course design, marshalling, sign on and refreshments. The event was supported by Lisburn City Council who also provided the use of their 'facilities' in their praise-worthy civic centre.
A crowd of youth riders gathered in the car park to watch the start of what was to be a very exciting under 8 race. When Trevor Annett blew the whistle, they made their way down the towpath flat out with Ben Hanna (Dromara CC) starting in 3rd position and Dad Derek tracking along behind him. He managed to hold that position throughout his lap and raced up the steep steps up to the civic centre carrying his bike on his shoulder (with a little from Zak). At the top, he jumped back on and headed towards Trevor and the finish line. He was amazed to finish 3rd, his first podium position and was rewarded with a price of £5!
Around 10 riders made their way to the start to take part in the under 12s battle which consisted of 2 laps of the main course. Surprisingly Zak Hanna (Dromara CC) had started in last place, but gradually clawed his way up through the ranks to finish 4th . The start was a bit of surprise as everyone was just getting into their positions when Trevor blew the whistle. There was a tremendous sound of pedals being clipped in and cheers from spectators. Zak said that the grass field was the hardest energy sapping part of the track and he especially enjoyed the grass hills which he kept slipping on.
Junior Results
Under 14
1 Matthew Adair (Banbridge CC)
2 Manta Sargas (Orchard Wheelers)
Under 12
1 Mark Downey (Banbridge CC)
2 Chris Oakley (XMTB)
3 James Curry (Banbridge CC)
4 Zak Hanna (Dromara CC)
Under 10
1 Conor Nairn (XMTB)
2 Robertus Cijunelis
3 Scott Hylands (East Antrim)
Under 8
1 Joel Smyth
2 Shenna McKiverigan (Banbridge CC)
3 Ben Hanna (Dromara CC)
The senior races started as they did last year, in the field. The 'going' was much better than last year as there has been less rain, but the long grass was still a challenge for the riders. The field also benefited from a new course design including a climb up the rise before plunging into the trees and up the steep path onto the bridge. At the top of the climb the course was very quick across the bridge and onto the new section up towards the housing development which included a slippery climb (many of the riders having to get off and push). This then lead to a quick downhill then in through the trees before getting back onto the tow path. The riders enjoyed some fast flowing sections of path before a technical climb up through the grass and another tight slippery section through the nettles. This lead to another bank of grass, through a gap between two trees, a sharp right turn then a fast section back towards the civic centre. All in all an excellent, fast flowing course.
The MTB race had 22 competitors lining up for 8 laps of the main course. Derek Hanna, Martin Grimley, Ross Galway and Ronnie Smyth were the Dromara contenders who lined up for the race. A mass start filled the large grass field with riders sprinting across the long, wide and bumpy track. Derek started off in 10th place and went on to finish the race 5th!!!, with Ross a brilliant 4th. Dromara's other riders retired, with Martin having a puncture and Ronnie through injury. Well done to all who competed. The MTB race started as a three man battle between Paul McMenamin, Paul Ferguson and Philip O’Neil but the two leads steadily increased the gap over 3rd place Philip, who has only been racing a few weeks. The lead changed hands a number of times over the race but on the last lap it was Paul McMenamin who won by a few bike lengths over Paul Ferguson. The women's race was won by Val O'Neill, who had to fight off a great challenge from under 14 rider Claire Oakley, a talent for the future.
1. Paul McMenamin
2. Paul Ferguson
3. Philip O'Neill
4. Ross Galway (Dromara)
5. Derek Hanna (Dromara)
Ladies MTB
1. Valerie O'Neill
2. Claire Oakley (under 14)
The Cyclo cross race had 39 contenders who set off to do 9 laps of the main course. The riders from the south did well to finish high up the grid with the winner being Phillip Roches from Team WORC. The race was a close run thing with the time keepers tested for the first few laps recording everyone's number as they passed. The race then settled into a thriller with five riders including Banbridge Juniors, Liam McGreevy and Sean Downey, staying within seconds of each other. As the laps rushed by only Liam McGreevy managed to stay on the wheel of Dublin's Phillip Roche, with Phillip putting in a final spurt to cross the line as Liam reached the top of the steps. Lewis Ferguson was a tiring 3rd, with 4th Glenn Kenning, who had been closing in. 5th place went to Sean Downey, who has just returned from track racing in Switzerland. The only lady to take part was Louise Harinton who had come all the way from New Zealand to put up a sterling performance.
1. Philip Roach
2. Liam McGreevy (junior)
3. Lewis Ferguson
4. Glenn Kinning
5. Sean Downing
6. Graham Boyd (junior)
7. Evan Ryan
8. Gerry McCabe (vet)
9. Alan Clogher
10. Peter McConville.
Ladies
1. Louise Harinton
A massive thanks to all from Dromara CC who helped organise the race, to Nicola (Banbridge CC) for help with the time keeping, to the Red Cross for first aid cover (and thankfully they had little to do). Dromara CC would also like to thank Lisburn City Council for the use of their building and grounds and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for the use of the Lagan Towpath.
After the race the riders enjoyed a cup of soup and a roll while they stood around discussing the trills and spills of a great days racing. Many thanks to all for supporting the race. This event continues to grow in numbers and prestige. Long may it continue.