Banbridge CC rider Roger Aiken grabbed the Ulster Cyclo Cross title at a wet and windy Kilbroney Park on Saturday. The promoting Newry Wheelers Club had revised the course from previous years to add extra spice to the JC Campbell backed event.
Thirty four riders lined up for the seven lap Ulster Cyclo Cross Championship, the entry featuring an excellent mix of Ulster and Irish riders. The only name missing from the entry was that of Irish Champion Robin Seymour, the Wicklow rider missing out on the action due to having an operation on a tooth two days before the race. From the start the riders made their way around the caravan section of the course before tackling the fast descent down to the bottom of Fairy Glen. At this point on the opening lap Aiken took the lead from Joe McCall (Rocky Mountain/K-Capital), by the end of the opening lap it was Aiken and McCall that had broken clear as the riders passed through the new start/finish area for the first time.
Behind the leaders a brilliant battle had developed for third featuring Liam McGreevy (Banbridge CC), reigning Ulster Champ Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB), Philip Roche (Team Worc), Dave Gill (Team Worc) and Irish Junior Cyclo Cross Champion Sean Downey (Banbridge CC). On lap two Aiken attacked McCall to quickly move into a commanding lead. Behind McCall the battle for third continued with Gill dropping out of the group only to be replaced by English exile Mark Allen (Swords CC). Ending lap two Newry rider Mark McKinley had to pit after sustaining a rear wheel puncture, which saw him drop from 9th to 16th place. Notable movers up the leaderboard at the end of lap two included Robbie Lamont (XMTB), Richard Felle (Team Worc) and Luke Manning (IMBRC).
Former Irish Champion Aiken further strengthened his lead on lap three with the mega battle for third not making any impression on McCall in second place. Behind the third place encounter was another top class clash, Gill, Lamont and Conor Campbell (Newry Wheelers) contesting 8th place. On lap four the third place group began to visibly close on McCall, the pace of the group driven on by an impressive Mark Allen. For Irish Junior Cyclo Cross Champion, Sean Downey, the race ended on the fifth lap. During practice the young rider had damaged the rear derailleur on his bike, which he mended before the start of the race. After having been part of the amazing third place group, Downey was forced to retire when the derailleur broke.
The fifth lap also saw the third place group split when Allen launched an attack with only McGreevy responding. By the end of the lap it was McGreevy in third, the Irish Junior MTB XC Champion breaking clear when Allen made a rare mistake and slid off. With the wind gusting and rain driving across the lush green expanses of Kilbroney no one really complained as the action on the course got better and better. Setting out on the final lap Aiken was the clear leader with McCall bravely hanging on to second place. Cheered on by a large gathering of home supporters, McGreevy still held third with Allen only a few seconds back. The other main battle in the top ten was that for 7th between Gill and Lamont.
The 2007 JC Campbell Ulster Cyclo Cross Champs came to an end with Roger Aiken and those awful yellow tights crossing the line to take a resounding victory, made all the more astounding by the fact that the Dromore based rider was suffering from the cold! Two and a half minutes down on Aiken, McCall finished second, a superb ride from one who is rapidly approaching the grand old age of 40. Everyone stood well back as the battle for third entered the finish arena, young Liam McGreevy just holding off Mark Allen as the pair sprinted to the flag. A fine result for the lightly built Banbridge rider who at times must have thought he was going to be blown off his bike by the gusting winds! Lewis Fergsuon, the 2006 Ulster Cyclo Cross Champ, finished on his own in fifth after breaking clear of Philip Roche on the last lap, Roche taking sixth.
Dave Gill won his battle for 7th with Robbie Lamont, though Lamont did have the pleasure of taking the Vets title. Team Worc rider Richard Felle made up for a slow start to eventually finish in 9th , just two seconds down on Lamont, and just over 30 seconds ahead of fellow 'Worc' rider Evan Ryan. Ryan had set off on the final lap amidst a four way scrap for tenth and attacked the other three riders to claim a well earned tenth. Of the other three riders, Neill Delahaye (Usher RC) broke away to claim 11th with Luke Manning just pipping Newry's Conor Campbell to the line for 12th. Graham Boyd (XMTB) was 14th and second in the Junior Class as early puncture victim Mark McKinley eventually finished in 15th. Another ultra close sprint finish saw Gary Henning (Newry Wheelers) just claim 16th from Downhill ace Alan Clogher (TC Racing), this pair the last of the riders not to be lapped by winner Aiken.
In the Ulster Championship placings, Aiken took the gold, McGreevy silver, plus the Junior title, with Ferguson lifting the bronze. Behind Junior winner McGreevy, Graham Boyd was runner up with Newry rider Ronan Byrne the bronze medal winner. As for the old men, Robbie Lamont took the Vets title from Banbridge CC's William Mulligan with an overjoyed Fred McSorley (Apollo CT) grabbing the bronze. Completing a good day for the Club, Banbridge CC took the Ulster Cyclo Cross Team award.
The four lap MTB support race provided Banbridge CC's Phil O'Neill with a runaway success with fellow Bann rider Paul Anderson in second. To huge cheers from local supporters, Newry's John Harty finished third. First lady to finish was Banbridge CC's Val O'Neill. XMTB's Jony Beers won the U-16 class before rushing off to see Kanye West in concert. Banbridge CC collected another win with Matthew Adair taking the U-14 race with Mantus Spirgus (Orchard Wheelers) a close second. Mark Downey took the honours in the U-12 race with another Banbridge rider,Dan Runciman in second. Conor Nairn took the U-10 race for XMTB from Banbridge rider Joseph Baird with John Buller once again dominating the U-8 proceedings, winning from his sister Shannon.
Well done to all involved with the JC Campbell Ulster Cyclo Cross Championships, especially the marshals who manned the course in such terrible conditions. Many thanks to Chief Time Keeper Wilbur Aiken and to all at Rostrevor GAA for the excellent apr's race buffet. Next race on the calendar is at Banbridge Academy on 15th December promoted by Banbridge CC.
01/12/2007 KILBRONEY PARK, ROSTREVOR
Full Results:
Cyclo Cross 7 laps
1. Roger Aiken (Banbridge CC) 57.18
2. Joe McCall (Rocky Mtn/K-Capital) 59.43
3. Liam McGreevy (Banbridge CC) 1.00.12
4. Mark Allen (Swords CC) 1.00.13
5. Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB) 1.01.12
6. Philip Roche (Team Worc) 1.01.38
7. Dave Gill (Team Worc) 1.01.45
8. Robert Lamont (XMTB) 1.01.54
9. Richard Felle (Team Worc) 1.01.56
10. Evan Ryan (Team Worc) 1.02.45
11. Neill Delahaye (Usher RC) 1.02.50
12. Luke Manning (IMBRC) 1.03.01
13. Conor Campbell (Newry Wheelers) 1.03.07
14. Graham Boyd (XMTB) 1.03.37
15. Mark McKinley (Newry Wheelers) 1.05.28
16. Gary Henning (Newry Wheelers) 1.06.27
17. Alan Clogher (TC Racing) 1.06.27
18. William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) 6 laps
19. Ronan Byrne (Newry Wheelers) 6 laps
20. Dave O'Brien (IMBRC) 6 laps
21. Will Byrne (Kilcullen CC) 6 laps
22. Mark Kenny (Rocky Mtn/K-Capital) 6 laps
23. Fred McSorley (Apollo CT) 6 laps
24. Kevin Lynch (Newry Wheelers) 6 laps
25. Kevin Murdock (Newry Wheelers) 6 laps
26. Liam Baxter (Newry Wheelers) 6 laps
27. Ivan McConville (Newry Wheelers) 6 laps
28. William Forsythe (Banbridge CC) 5 laps
29. Andy Ruck (Newry Wheelers) 5 laps
30. Maurice Mayne (Banbridge CC) 5 lap
Ulster Cyclo Cross Championships
Senior
1. Roger Aiken.
2. Liam McGreevy.
3. Lewis Ferguson
Junior
1. Liam McGreevy.
2. Graham Boyd.
3. Ronan Byrne
Vets
1. Robert Lamont.
2. William Mulligan.
3. Fred McSorley
U-16
1. William Boyd (XMTB)
MTB RACE 4 Laps
1. Phil O'Neill (Banbridge CC) 37.24
2. Paul Anderson (Banbridge CC) 43.18
3. John Harty (Newry Wheelers) 45.31
4. Val O'Neill (Banbridge CC) 47.31
5. Stephen Prentice (Banbridge CC) 48.16
6. Chris Smyth (Banbridge CC) 3 laps
7. Harriett Mayne(Banbridge CC) 3 laps
U-16 3 laps
1. Jonny Beers (XMTB) 30.55
U-14 2 laps
1. Matthew Adair (Banbridge CC) 19.13
2. Mantus Spirgus(Orchard Wheelers)19.32
3. Sam Barr (Orchard Wheelers) 25.23
4. Cormac Clarke (Newry Wheelers) 26.47
U-12 1 lap
1. Mark Downey (Banbridge CC) 11.14
2. Dan Runciman (Banbridge CC) 12.14
3. Nathaniel Smyth (Ards CC) 13.26
4. Aimee Ogilby (XMTB) 14.35
5. Dan Gordon (Banbridge CC) 15.45
6. Rachel Mayne (Banbridge CC) 17.15
U-10 1 small lap
1. Conor Nairn (XMTB) 9.37
2. Joseph Baird (Banbridge CC) 10.35
U-8 1 small lap
1. John Buller (Banbridge CC) 9.37
2. Shannon Buller (Banbridge CC) 10.13
3. Richard Baird (Banbridge CC) 10.15
4. Stuart Dunlop (Banbridge CC) 11.40
5. Mark Buller (Banbridge CC) 12.20
6. Callum Nairn (XMTB) 13.53
7. Dean Chambers (XMTB) 15.45
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(Nov 29) Ulster Cyclo Cross Championships This Weekend
J.C Campbell Kilbroney Cyclo-Cross
This Saturday the Ulster Cyclo Cross Championships take place at one of Ireland's most popular venues, the Kilbroney course in Rostrevor. Promoted by Newry Wheelers for the second year in succession, the race promises to be a feast of cyclo cross racing. For 2007 the course has been modified to add to the excitement of both riders and spectators.
The Newry Club are once again glad to announce that J.C. Campbell Citroen/Honda will sponsor the event, for the sponsors Colin Campbell said: "I am delighted with the way the event was both organized and recognized in 2006. Cyclo cross is a great sport to watch as well as take part in."
The prize list is impressive for the race with prizes for underage races and no less than 12 prizes in the senior event totaling �300, including a team prize with Ulster medals also on offer for all the various categories. The main cyclo cross event is open to all riders, though only Cycling Ulster riders can win medals; the same applies to the team prize. So who are the main riders to look for?
The 2007 Cyclo Cross season has been largely dominated by Team BHB's Lewis Ferguson, the defending Ulster Cyclo Cross Champion, the young Holywood based rider having scored top three finishes in all his races including wins at Larne and Carrickfergus. Ireland's 'big two', Robin Seymour (Team Worc) and Roger Aiken (Banbridge CC) have yet to clash this season, Seymour is down to ride on Saturday with Aiken hopefully getting back in time for the race from a trip to Belgium. Seymour has two wins under his belt this season in the only two races he has competed in, Tymon Park and Corkagh Park. For Aiken his only win was at Castle Park in Bangor where he totally demolished the opposition.
The promoting Newry Club will have their own favourites in the race. Conor Campbell is having a superb season and could spring a surprise on home soil. Mark McKinley missed last years Ulster Champs due to illness, though he did do an excellent job as race commentator! Mark rode in the first race of the season at Lurgan, but was then forced to sit out a number of events due to an injury sustained at work. The other Newry hopeful is Gary Henning who is enjoying his second cyclo cross season and capable of producing a very strong ride. Apart from Aiken, Banbridge have two young rising stars, Liam McGreevy and Sean Downey. McGreevy has had a great season so far and should feature on Saturday. For Downey, the reigning Irish Junior Cyclo Cross Champion, this is an ideal opportunity to add the Ulster title to his rapidly growing trophy cabinet.
One name missing from cyclo cross action so far this season has been Ray Brownfield (North Down), last year at Kilbroney Park it was Brownfield who pushed Ferguson all the way, will history be repeated? Other riders to look for include, Graham Boyd (XMTB), Glenn Kinning (Castlereagh CC), Ross Blaney (Ards CC) and as an outside bet what about Irish Downhill ace Michael Cowan (Chain Recation Cycles). The entry will of course be boosted by riders from the South which will add extra spice to the occasion. Joining Seymour in the Southern attack should be Phil Roche and Dave Gill (both Team Worc), Paul O'Reilly and Luke Manning (both IMBRC) and, English exile Mark Allen who currently rides for Swords CC.
The Vets contest always creates plenty of attention. Having returned to the fold last weekend in Dublin, XMTB's Robbie Lamont should be amongst the list of contenders, which includes Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers), William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) and the ever jovial cyclo cross loving doctor, Apollo's Fred McSorley.
For the Newry Club, race organizer Drew McKinley declared: "It is great to have a local sponsor on board. Cyclo cross races have been taking place in Kilbroney Park for 20 years and to have a sponsor of the prestige of J.C. Campbell on board is great for the race and the sport. Last year the race attracted one of the best entries in Ireland, the racing and the weather were both superb. With the facilities, Kilbroney is an excellent venue."
The programme will include youth races and a mountain bike race. Following racing, Rostrevor GAA will be the venue for the presentations and apr's race food.
The order of events is as follows:
11.45am U8/U10/U12
12.15pm MTB Race/U16/U14
1.15pm Ulster Cyclo Cross Championship