Round 1
2009
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Apollo's Wee Series Round 1 2009 |
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| Saturday 14 November
2009 Silverwood, Craigavon Apollo Cycling Team held the first of their "MTB Wee Series" events at the Silverwood site in Craigavon. The course was based on the excellent night series that the club had held here in September and early October. The club have received the support from the local council who are only too pleased that the area is being put to good use. The previous nights rain had left the course saturated but the early morning sunshine was perfect for both riders and spectators. The main aim of the series was to provide cycling events for youth riders but the club had also organised an adults event as well to give everyone the opportunity to race. The course had been designed by Derek King who was able to demonstrate a variety of course lengths to suit all riders. Racing got underway at midday with the under 8s race and it was the impressive Drew Armstrong who streaked ahead to finish the two lap race in first place. Next year Drew is looking forward to moving up to the under 10s race. Behind Drew was a young star from Phoenix Cycling Club, Shea O'Kane who kept his dad Finbarr busy trying to keep up with him. Dromara's Kayla Grimley was happy to finish third which gave her confidence a boost as this was only her second race. There were no under 10s signed on. The under 12s and under 14s were started around 12:30 and it was an all Juiced Orchard event in the under 12s with just one under 14 rider, Dromara CC's Christopher Weir. The under 12s had 2 laps of the big course to complete but through a slight mix up all 3 managed to skip the big hill climb on the first lap. The course was rectified for the subsequent laps. In the Juiced Orchard battle it was Ryan Orr who took the win ahead of Jake Gray with Conor Boyle finishing third. The race organisers felt that Jake should be awarded 'rider of the day' for his determination to complete the race in which he had carried his bike more often than rode it. Well done Conor. Claire Oakley was the only under 16 to show up and she happily lined up with the senior riders at 1:20 pm. The senior race had also a small field with 3 Apollo CT riders again 3 Banbridge riders and one from Newry Wheelers. Matthew Adair was positioned in the second row of the grid but it didn't take long for this talented rider to slip to the front and stretch out a comfortable lead. Giving chase was veteren of the sport, Fred MacSorley who lead the rest of the pack from the first lap onwards. Behind Fred was another Apollo rider Campbell Armstrong who finished third. Apollo CT had worked hard to create this event and it was unfortunate that more cyclists had not supported them. The club are holding the next round on Saturday 5 December in the same location and they would love to see more young (and not so young) riders enjoying the venue. The club have organised some prizes that will be awarded at the end of the 3 events on Saturday 19 December in time for Christmas. Under 8s - 2 laps mini course
Under 12s - 2 laps main course
Under 14s - 3 laps main course
Under 16s - ? laps main course
Senior riders - 10 laps main course
Photos by Martin Grimley |
Photos by Martin Grimley
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