Seacourt, Larne
Round 2 of the Ulster Cyclo-Cross Series took place today around the Seacourt Community Centre in Larne. The venue had been used two years ago by East Antrim Cycling Club but this time around it was Team Madigan who were hosting the event. The site has seen quite a bit of development in the two years including extensions to the old community building, new football pitches, changing rooms, extended car park, greenhouses etc. which made it obligatory to amend the original course. The venue was excellent in terms of facilities with the club getting use of the changing rooms, showers etc as well as the excellent hall with kitchenette which was used for sign on and prize giving. The organisers had been able to set up most of the course the previous night which cut down the work on the day itself.
There had been quite a bit of rain in the two days leading up to the event but the day of the event was bright sunny day, although cold, but the ground had drained well to make for a fast course. Overall numbers of attendees were lower than expected (76) partly due to an off-road duathlon being held on the same day in Belfast.
Apart from the main course, the organisers had set out a 'mini-course' for the Under 8s, 10s and 12s which was a loop around the grass area to the right of the centre which was ideal for the parents and spectators to watch the action and a perfect terrain for the young riders to negotiate.
Racing started at 10:40 with the Under 8s who had to complete 2 laps of the 'mini course'. The 13 riders took off at the whistle but didn't get far before there was a crash at the first corner. All up quickly and back on their bicycles to charge around the course. It was a well deserved win by Shea O'Kane (Phoenix CC) who held off Daniel Donnelly (Newry Wheelers) and Fraser Harrower (Dromara CC). Sarah Elder (Carn Wheelers) was fourth and the first female rider home, finishing ahead of Adam McCaughtry and Zak Tsoutsas, both from Dromara Cycling Club.
At 10:50 the Under 10s lined up for their 4 lap race on the 'mini-course'. The 11 riders got safely underway and it was Dromara CC's Drew Armstrong who took an early lead. Drew was never threatened and came home a worthy winner ahead of Cathir Doyle (Carn Wheelers) and Stefan Wills (Ballymena Road Club). Michael McNicoll was fourth with Adam Hawthorne (Dromara CC) fifth and Kathryn Doyle (Carn Wheelers) sixth and the first female finisher. There was only one entrant in the Under 12s race, Greg Bell (XMTB McConvey Cycles) and he raced with the Under 10s. The organisers made use of the time slot to hold a prize giving for the first 3 race categories. All of the riders in these categories were rewarded with a cyclo-cross keyring for taking part. This gift was well received.
At 11:30 the next set of races started, these being the first to use the main 1.2 mile course. Lining up first were the riders for the mountain bike support race. The 13 riders (only one female) had 6 laps of the course to complete. The majority of the course was on grass with just a short section of tarmac and a tricky gravel path section. Winner of the event was Mark Bartley (Cols Sport) who took the win ahead of Cathal Doyle and Ryan Walsh, both from Carn Wheelers. Danny Hylands (Team Madigan) was fourth, Martin Grimley (Dromara CC) fifth and Henry Lynn (East Tyrone CC) sixth. Claire Oakley (XMTB McConvey cycles) finished 11th.
The Under 14s and Under 16s were set off together, one minute behind the mountain bike support race. The Under 14s had 3 laps to complete, the Under 16s had five. There were 8 in the Under 14s race and it was won by Ryan Orr (Orchard Wheelers) with Aaron Donnelly (Newry Wheelers) second and Aaron Swan (TSC) in third. There were only two riders in the Under 16s race, Chris Oakley and Curtis Bell both from XMTB McConvey Cycles and it was Chris who took the win. The organisers then had another prize giving for the MTB support race and the Under 14s and Under 16s.
Just after 1pm the main cyclo-cross race began. The event had attracted 28 riders, the 27 men had 10 laps to complete and the single woman had 7 laps to complete. From the whistle Matthew Adair (Banbridge CC) took the lead pulling away from a small group behind him which included BikePure riders Ray O'Shaughnesy and Aiden McDonald, and Glenn Kinning (East Antrim) who themselves had opened up a good lead on the rest of the riders. Matthew however was on a charge and was taking 10 seconds a lap out of his nearest rival Ray. At the plank obstacle Matthew was among the few to 'bunny hop' the boards, much to the enjoyment of the spectators, but he didn't always clear them cleanly and had a couple of big crashes here, which also amused the spectators! However, the falls at the planks and another one on the gravel descent did not slow Matthew down and he finished well over a minute clear of Ray. Glenn held onto third place ahead of Aiden. Behind them there was a great battle for fifth place between Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers) and Ray Brownfield (North Down) who battled it out for all 10 laps, with Peter finally finishing ahead of Ray. Myles McCorry (BikePure) had a great race to finish 7th with John Bogues (Phoenix CC) 8th and Stephen Jackson (Glasgow United) 9th and the last rider to complete all 10 laps. Gill Smith enjoyed her first cyclo-cross race and was pleased with her finish, although she admitted that she needed more practice with the "portage" side of the sport (i.e. bike carrying).
After the race the riders were able to enjoy the great spread of sandwiches, cakes, buns, tea & coffee laid on by the hardworking club members. Prize giving was again conducted by Bill Mackness and Steven Stewart from the host club. The club wish to thank Burtie Shaw and the management of Seacourt Community Centre for the use of their excellent facilities.
Many thanks to all the hard working club members of Team Madigan for an excellent event. The next round of the Ulster Cyclo Cross series will be held by Dromara Cycling Club on Sunday 7 November 2010 in Lisburn at a new venue beside Aberdelghy golf course. For more details see www.UlsterCycloCross.com.
Commissaire: Danny Blondell
Full results here
Report & photos: Martin Grimley
More photographs here
