CX Round 4 - Bangor
In 2013 North Down Cycling Club revived off-road racing at Castle Park
in Bangor, a location that has seen many races over generations of cyclists. Last Sunday the club hosted
Round 4 of the 2014 Ulster Cyclo-cross series building on their experience from
2013. The race timing had been moved up onto the hill above the Aurora
Leisure Centre close to the trees. The course was mostly set within the
trees but with finish area out on the exposed grass where a spiral had been put
in to test the riders and make them a little dizzy! As per 2013 the
weather had remained mostly dry all day but there was a strong south-westerly
which was playing havoc with the course marking tape. Sign on took place
in a room within the Aurora leisure centre where the catering and prize giving
also took place. The centre naturally had great changing facilities as well.
The usual CX enthusiasts made their way up the M2 and across Belfast to take on another sunday of mud, sweat and gears! As usual with the underage races they came thick and fast, up first in the under10's was Eimear Skelly, another solid performance saw the young lady finish the day with a top 5 place. Next was Eimears older brother Ryan in the under12 boys race. Ryan kept the pressure on again this week coming home with another podium place, claiming 3rd at the chequered flag. The under14's were next to the line with Sarah Elder and Niall Skelly competing for the club. In the girls race Sarah came home with another silver medal, a great race with little denying her gold. Niall fought hard in a competitive field over a tough course finishing strongly with a great time just under the 25minute mark, an added bonus for the day was Niall winning the raffle prize!
In the under16 girls race the dynamic duo of Emma Elder and Niamh Skelly again were in fine form, claiming another 1st and 2nd place. The girls continued dominance of the league sees them well ahead at the half way point in the series and judging on current form are looking like strong contenders for the league and the championship. Stephen Halferty and Sean Bradley were in action in the MTB support race. Both of the young Carn men did themselves proud around the challenging course, Sean was again in the mix with yet another close finish in the end missing out on a podium spot by a fraction of a second. Sean has maintained 3rd in the overall standings at the mid point and is looking forward to the conclusion of the series and the championships in December
The CX races were the only matters of the day left to settle. In the B race Garth Skelly, Carl McWilliams and Nigel Gibson were as usual in the thick of the action. Despite the tricky conditions the boys acquitted themselves admirably as usual with a fine effort by the trio over the 6lap race. Also out in this race was the ladies, Mairead McGurk again was in action for the fourth week in a row. Another fine performance from the Kildress woman saw her finish well again claiming 3rd in the overall rankings at this stage thanks to persistently racing well.
The A race was the final matter to be settled, Johnny Taylor, Shane Elder and Joe McCrory were again in action for Carn Wheelers. Johnny's race ended prematurely when a mechanical ended his race during the first lap. Shane and Joe raced well in the always competitive event finishing strongly in another classic CX race.
Well done to NDCC for promoting a great event, next week is round 5 in Moria Demesne
