Phoenix Trofee Cyclocross Race
Sunday the 11th of October saw the Carn Wheelers off road crew make the trip to Lady Dixon Park in Belfast
for the Phoenix Trofee cyclocross race although not a league round this year this is one of the best venues on Ireland for cyclocross racing and with all the senior races selling out in a matter of hours the scene was set for a great days racing .
The morning races as always were for the youth riders and start from the under 6 riders up to under 16,in the under 6 race we had a newcomer in Conor Russell and he certainly enjoyed his first race with a great midfield finish next were the u8 and James Russell took to the line and just missed the top ten with a very determined ride.We had 4 boys in the u12 race the best finisher on the day was Travis Harkness although Curtis Neill and Frank Russell were hot on his heels unfortunately Tom Russell had a mechanical and was unable to finish it was then the turn of the under 14 girls who had to contend with a very different course due to the now persistent rain making it a lot tougher than the early morning practice katie Neill and Sarah Elder were on the line with Katie taking a strong 4th place unfortunately Sarah had a heavy crash which ended her race in the under 16 race Anna Russell and Emma Elder were involved with Emma taking the win and Anna taking 4th overall .Well done to all the youth riders once again on some really strong performances.
It was now time for the 2 main adult races the A and B races for the men first of was the B race with Rodney Young flying the flag for the Carn Wheelers this was only Rodney 2nd cross race and a completely different race than the previous week due to the mid morning rain making the surface like ice in places however Rodney had another strong race and placed well in a strong field of 90 riders .
Another 90 riders took to the line for the A race with Barry Russell,Johnny Taylor Stephen and Ryan Walsh and Shane Elder among them this field of riders included a host of National Champions and the pace was really hard with the Carn men holding their own in all the mini battles through the field Stephen Walsh was the best placed for carn on the day followed closely by Johnny botj men in the top 20 next home was Barry Russell with Ryan next followed by Shane .Well done to everyone who took part and represented the club so well in very tough races.
A big thanks to Phoenix cc for a superb day both on and of the track because as always the club laid on a fantastic spread of food for all riders after the races .