2014 Ulster XC Round 4 -- Full Report
Just like to say a big
thanks to everyone who helped out with the running of the Carn Wheelers MTB
race today at Garvagh. All marshals,
time keepers, sign on crew, course set up and tidy up crew and off course the
ladies and kids who helped with the catering. These events just don't happen
without all these people working away in the background - club members and non club members.
And also a great
thanks to the competitors who travelled from all corners of Ireland I hope you
all had a good day.
Shane.
Full report to follow.
Sunday
saw Carn Wheelers mountain bike crew host round 5 of the NPS which also doubled
up as round 4 of the Ulster league.
The course was in
excellent condition thanks to a dry week and behind the scene maintenance
carried out weeks before hand by the team of volunteers.
First race of the day
was the U6s who did 2 laps of a fairly flat course with a few bumpy roots
through in for good measure. For U6s this race was frantic and flat out from
the whistle, the determination in these wee guys from such an early age is
unreal!
Carn Wheelers had 3
riders in this category. Patrick Elliott claimed 3rd step on the podium closley
followed by James Russell and Miley Gibson who wern't far behind.
It's worth noting that
wee Patrick is a regular attender of the kids training days in the local forest
where his skills is starting to show real well now.
Next race was the U8s
who did 3 laps on another brilliant course. Carn Wheelers had 2 riders in this
race. Eimer Skelly and Aimee Taylor. Eimer again doing the club proud (and her
dad) by claiming 3rd place on the podium. Aimee also did well in her ever race.
Well done girls.
U10s next with 4 laps
of the same course. 5 Carn Wheelers in this race with Travis Harkness, the
Russell twins Frank & Tom, Curtis Neill and Eva Gordon, who claimed top
spot on the podium, Well done Eva.
U12s next with another
different course which would test their skills well, 2 laps this time. 6 Carn
Wheelers in this race, Ryan Skelly & Shea Taylor doing well in the boys
race. In the girls race there was 2 podium spots going to Sarah Elder claiming
2nd, Katie Neill 3rd followed closley by Darcey Harkness and Sinead McGuigan.
U14s next with yet
another different course doing 2 laps. 3 Carn Wheelers in this race. Andrew
Gordon & Niall Skelly having a strong race on the boys race and Emma Elder
on the top step of the podium in the girls race, well done Emma!
U16s moved on to the
adults course where they did 2 laps. 2 Carn Wheelers in this race, Sean Bradley
finished well in a very strong field in the boys race with Niamh Skelly on the
podium again with 2nd place.
Thats a clean sweep
for the girls with podium spots in every race. Come on boys, your taking a
battering here!
12pm saw the start of
the adults racing with the S4s taking on 2 laps. 5 Carn Wheelers in this race.
Paul Taylor was the best of them claiming 3rd spot in a nail biting sprint to
the line. Paul has had little time on the bike this year due to an injury and
already he is showing promising signs. Gareth Skelly had 1 of his best placings
to date finishing 8th and thats after competing at the European Marathon
Championships the week before! Norman Atkins, Matt McCombe & Aidan Higgins
all finished well.
2:00 saw the start of
the main races S1s, S2s & S3s. 2 Carn Wheelers lined up for 4 laps of the
S2 race, Barry Russell & Ryan Walsh. Unfortunately luck wasn't with them as
Barry had mechanical trouble while in a strong posisition on lap 2 while Ryan
also suffered the same fate. Hard luck men.
S3 tackled 3 laps with
6 Carn Wheelers lining up. Martin Bradley showing great form this year finished
7th followed by Tommy McElwee in 8th. Tommy was a bag of nerves before the race
debuting his new bike and under strict instructions from the Mrs not to be
breaking anything! Auld Tommy McKenna was next having another strong finish,
followed by Nigel Gibson, Darren Mulholland and Graeme Elliott all finishing
well in a very strong field.
After the event there
was nothing but praise from all the riders complementing what is the best xc
course in the country and the hospitality. With tea, sandwiches & home made
baking which everyone has become accoustom to when attending a Carn Wheelers event.
These events couldn't
be run without the help from the marshals to tea ladies etc.. There is
too many to name so I would like to give a massive thanks to everyone who
helped in any way, you know who you are.
Ryan
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