Barton makes Podium as Dromara CC host Nationals

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What a day of racing was had at Tollymore Forest Park for the 2017 Irish Cyclocross Nationals. When the planning and organising of this event started last year you never quite know how it will turn out but with the superb help from all at Team Dromara CC a very professional Nationals was hosted at Tollymore Forest Park.

The day started with the M40’s and M50’s kicking off the show at 10:15am and Dromara CC had Brian Kellett, Richard Cowan and Brian Wilson for the M40 race with Derek Graham, Paul Watson, Stephen Nugent, Robert Davison and John McGuigan in the M50’s race. To say it was competitive was an understatement and The M40’s race it was Robin Seymour who took the hard-fought victory with Alan Bingham taking silver and Brendan Doherty completing the podium. The Dromara men placed 21^st Richard Cowan, 25^th for Brian Kellett and Brian Wilson took 55^th after suffering a puncture just before the final lap.

The M50’s was always going to be a close affair with Des Woods and Peter Mcconville battling it out. In the end, it was Des who would reclaim his National Championship jersey with Peter taking silver and John Doris completing the podium. For Dromara Derek Graham claimed he was only making up the numbers but produced a brilliant ride to take 18^th, Paul Watson has been producing some excellent performances all season and his form didn’t let him down finishing 22^nd, Stephen Nugent, Robert Davison and John McGuigan all finished one after the other in 25^th/26^th/27^th place.

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The next race on the cards was the juniors/ladies/M60’s with Dromara fielding riders in the ladies and the M60’s. In the juniors JB Murphy would put in a dominant performance to take the win with John Buller and Thomas Creighton completing the top 3. The ladies field contained 20 riders and it was clear that it was going to be very competitive. Diane Wilson and Wannita Broome would take to the line for Dromara CC and both would end up putting in some of their best performances. The race for first place was never in doubt as Beth McCuskey pulled away from the rest of the field however the battle for 2^nd and 3^rd place would not be so straight forward. Maria Larkin had been holding a safe 2^nd place but Fiona Meade but in a tremendous effort to haul her back and managed to get into second position before the last lap. Alas Maria would find whatever was left in those legs to fight back and claim a silver medal with Fiona taking bronze. Certainly, one of the most exciting races I have had the pleasure of following. For the Dromara CC ladies it was Diane who would battle through to take 7^th place and was unlucky not to secure 6^th as she hunted down the Ulster CX Champion, alas she would run out of laps.  Wannita Broome who certainly looked nervous before taking to the start line would prove that she is a lady with plenty of Cyclocross skills as she produced an awesome effort to take 16^th place on a very tough course.

This would leave us with the M60 race which would also lead to some exciting racing as Mike Barton fought around the course. The first place was never in doubt as Terence O’Neil produced a superb performance however the next podium places would be up for grabs. Mike had been sitting in 4^th after the first 2 laps but started to make in roads on lap 3 taking his 3^rd position and continued to hunt down Raymond Beers and like Diane he would run out of laps. Raymond claimed the silver medal with Mike taking the bronze medal.

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The final race of the day is the elite men and Dromara CC would be defending their team title from last year. Barry Kellett would lead the line with Davy Broome, Nathan Mullan, Peter Davison and Graham Smyth. The man to beat was last year’s champion Roger Aiken and besides his mishap over the log on the first lap he was unstoppable. Roger would dominate the race as he has done all season to take the National Jersey. Behind Roger it was all to play for and after Gareth McKee’s early lead had been reeled back it was Christopher McGlinchey  who looked to have the second place wrapped up. Clearly no one had told Glenn Kinning who would first catch Gareth McKee but then finally catch Christopher on the last lap. With a final sprint finish Glenn took the Silver medal followed by Christopher McGlinchey taking the bronze. Barry Kellett had one of his best races this season and was tantalisingly close to the podium positions however 6^th place is a remarkable achievement for a man who claims he doesn’t train but just commutes.

With the team prize up for grabs it was Team Worc who would take the honours from Dromara as Nathan, Davy, Graham and Peter gave absolutely everything to try and overhaul them. They would finish with Davy Broome taking 23^rd, Graham Smyth 27^th, Nathan Mullan 28^th and Peter Davison completing the team in 31^st.

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With the final rider over the finish line and the podiums finished it was time to tidy the course. It was thanks to all who helped take the course down from Dromara CC members to all the others who chipped in that made this task and awful lot quicker. Many thanks to all the marshals who gave up their time to come down make the event the great success it was as well as all the people that helped in the background to allow this Irish Cyclocross Nationals to happen.  A special thanks to the Order of Malta Ambulance Service that covered the event at late notice.

A final thanks needs to go to Martin for captaining the ship and making a lot of thinks just happen like they should. The timekeeping was spot on and the results out pretty much as soon as everyone had finished dinner and cleaned their bikes. Neil Armstrong did a sterling job as Marshal co-ordinator on the day, Davy Broome and Derek Minnis creating the “Belgium Step” and pretty much everyone who marshalled for an hour or all day need a pat on the back. The final good news is that everyone at Dromara is getting a cyclocross bike for next season. See you on the start line.

Photos of elite men

Photos of elite women

Photos of Juniors

Photos of M60

Misc Photos and Podiums

Photos by the Belgium Project – Many thanks to them for some of the photos used in this report

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