Dromara Fill the Podium spots at a cold Ormeau Park

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We can certainly agree that the winter snap hit this weekend but that didn’t stop the hardy cx riders getting the bikes out of the garage/shed. The XMTB team certainly know how to put a challenging course today and that didnt change with a fast twisty start followed by tough climbs and technical single track just needed a bit of rain to make the grass a tad slick.

Currently there are rumours circulating that Eoin Foley smashed the Under 6 race to take the win but im awaiting confirmation on that. Aoife Kellett proved that a bit of cold wouldn’t stop her putting the Dromara CC Kit on and blasting the under 8’s race taking 4th place. Lexie Broome and James Armstrong were next up in the Under 10’s with Lexie taking a tremendous 6th place in the girls race and James battled to a brilliant 9th place. Benjamin Quigley has kept plugging at the U12 race and his times are getting faster each week as he took a great 12th place. Fraser Harrower had a tough race in the Under 14s but kept the head down and the wheels turning even with the puncture to take 15th place. In the under 16 Race Ben Wilson proved yet again what a warrior he is as he dug very deep to take a superb 5th place.

As you can see below Dromara CC Junior squad dont just stop when their race is over but help out with the lap board and last lap bell. A top performance from all.

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The MTB race would be the start of the Dromara Podium fest but first to show that they are starting to love this off-road lifestyle was young Neil Armstrong who put in a savage performance to take 7th place. Next up was the ladies MTB race which saw Andra Ungureanu who initially had second thoughts about racing but thankfully made the right decision as she cut through the course like a hot knife through butter to take 3rd place on the podium. Her last two laps suggest there is more t come from this young lady.

Speaking of fast ladies the Cyclocross Ladies race saw Diane Wilson back in the saddle to take a well deserved 6th place with Wannita Broome getting faster each week with a brilliant 11th place and finally a fast finishing Jackie Wade taking 13th.

The B Race riders have been goading each other all week about who was going to beat who there were several very focused riders that took to the start line. Brian Wilson who has been a consistent top 10 finisher came straight out of the blocks to take the early lead. Behind him there was real battle as Gibson Chambers, Robert Davison and John Shanks. Gibson clearly has been secret training arrived fully focused at teh start line and having got rid of Robert from his back wheel stormed around the course to take 15th place. Robert took 21st with John Shanks running out of laps but still took 24th place. Mike Barton battled through to take 38th and poster boy Bryce took 53rd. But the Brian Wilson who was out front on his own for more than half the race was reeled in with 2 laps to go but dug very deep to hold on to a brilliant second place and a free upgrade the A race.

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That left the main race of the day to take place with Barry Kellett leading the overall series it would be interesting to see how he would fair with Roger back on the start line as well as Glenn Kinning.  As it turned out he must have been watching Brian Wilson’s tactics in the B race as he to would lead the race for the first 3 laps only to be passed by Roger Aiken however this was the only rider to pass him. Having held a decent lead from the rest of the field one bad lap almost cost him second place as Graham Boyd keot him very honest right the line. The rest of the Dromara CC lads put in some great performances with Davy Broome taking 20th, Nathan Mullan 25th, Graham Smyth 27th, Derek Graham 38th & Richard Cowan 39th. No luck with the team prize as Team XMTB produced a fabulous performance to pip us for the top spot.

Many Thanks must go to all the volunteers and organisers for putting on a great race. Next week will be up at Moneymore for a brand new course to test the skills of everyone. See you there.

To finish the report I thought I’d add a wee video of how to podium a B race 😉

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