Seymour (Team WORC) and McConvey (McConvey Cycles/FELT International) were regarded as the clear pre-race favourites and so it turned out, with the duo breaking clear of the rest of the field on the opening lap and slugging out the remainder of the race between them.
37 year old Seymour and 19 year old McConvey were very evenly matched on the fast, flowing course, both unable to open up a decisive lead over the other. The result came down to the final 100 metres, where the Wicklow man had enough speed and determination to get the better of his younger rival.
Third place today went to Newry rider Conor Campbell, with Seymour’s team-mate Richie Felle in fourth. The latter had been running third until the final lap but lost time due to a puncture. IMBRC’s Paul O’Reilly was next home, sewing up the junior title with his fifth place overall, while Glen Kinning (Castereagh) completed the top six. Aidan McDonald (Apollo) was seventh and first veteran. Francine Meehan (Tullamore CC) was best of the women, and the efforts of Seymour, Felle and Dave Gill earned the team title for WORC.
The race was run off in pleasant conditions, and the only significant mud was encountered in the drainage ditch section. It also had two plank obstacles, one of which was on a hill, but these did little to slow down the top riders.
As expected after the non-start of 2008 champion Roger Aiken, the battle for gold today was all about two competitors. McConvey is seen as the up and coming off-road rider and is tipped by many for a big future, while Seymour is a triple Olympian who had taken fifteen cross titles in seventeen years, as well as fifteen successive mountain bike championships. He has now added yet another medal to that stunning haul.
Some pictures from the event courtesy of Myles Mc Corry
Seymour leads from the startline
|
Race organiser Fred McSorley
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connor McConvey finishes second
|
Conor Campbell happy to take the bronze medal
|
National cyclo-cross championships, Lurgan Park:
1, Robin Seymour (Team WORC)
2, Conor McConvey (McConvey Cycles/FELT International)
3, Conor Campbell (Newry)
4, Richie Felle (Team WORC)
5, Paul O’Reilly (IMBRC)
6, Glen Kinning (Castlereagh)
7, Aidan McDonald (Apollo) – vets champion
Team: Team Worc (Seymour/ Felle/ Dave Gill)
Junior:
1, Paul O’Reilly (IMBRC)
2, Matt Adair (Banbridge)
First woman: Francine Meehan (Tullamore CC)
First veteran: Aidan McDonald (Apollo)
------------------------------------------------------------
IMAGES COPYRIGHT:
Any images included in this article remain the property of the photographer, by whom all rights are retained, 2009 ©. Use of images for electronic or print purposes is may be possible with the express, written permission of the photographer.