XCO NPS 2007 Round 6
Penultimate round of Irish XC NPS
The superb setting of Djouce Woods in County Wicklow was the venue for the sixth and penultimate round of the Irish Cross Country NPS, last Sunday’s 01-July-2007 event promoted by the Epic Club.
The sometimes wet conditions failed to put a damper on what was a great event, well run and well supported with the added bonus of commentary from the quiet spoken Epic General, Richie Byrne.
The youngest looking ‘old boy’ on the MTB scene, Team Worc’s Peter Buggle, dominated the Elite race, held over four laps of the main course.
Although still recovering from a anasty shoulder injury sustained at the Ballinastoe round of the NPS, Buggle led throughout, crossing the line to score a comfortable win over fellow Worc rider James McCluskey and M.A.D rider Ryan Sherlock.
Beth McCluskey scored another success in the Elite Womens Class, the Epic rider winning comfortably from the rapidly improving Cait Elliott (UCD).
The Experts race was an all Worc podium, Phil Roche at last showing some form as he took the lead on the last of the three laps from Yvain Sugno. Evan Ryan completed the podium for Worc with a very strong third.
IMBRC rider Dave Barry had to settle for 4th and going into the final round Dave holds a 10 point lead over Yvain with each rider dropping their two worst scores.
Worc’s Richard Felle was a first lap retirement at Djouce due to illness, however he too is in with a chance of the Experts title.
Taking a break from his Downhill exploits, Damian Duggan finished sixth much to the delight of the Epic crew.
Following a long lay off due to exam commitments, Banbridge CC’s Liam McGreevy returned in style as he took the three lap Junior race.
Behind whippet legged McGreevy, XMTB’s Graham Boyd bounced back to form with a superb second place. Paul O’Reilly(IMBRC) was third after a troubled race which saw him have to walk to the pits following a first lap puncture.
Neil McGimpsey(XMTB) had to pit to fix a loose saddle rejoining the race only to retire on the last lap following a puncture.
Joe McCall(Rocky Mountain/K-Capital) produced what can only be described as an awesome ride as he completely dominated the three lap Masters race.
Joe led from start to finish, his task made easier when Worc’s Gordon Lucas spluttered to a halt at the end of the first lap, retiring due to the effects of a chest infection.
Niall Quinlan (myhome.ie/Cycleways) scored his best NPS result of the year by finishing second as Team Worc’s Ian Sutton completed the podium with a great third.
Craig Brady (U/A) was 4th ahead of Stuart Galloway (Team Worc) and Epic’s Rory Walsh.
For the second NPS running John O’Reilly (Epic) won the Vets race, an amazing achievement by John who had to have a shattered elbow rebuilt after crashing at the Rostrevor K-Capital race. Robbie Lamont (XMTB) was runner up with Worc’s Paul Coyne in third. Banbridge CC’s William Mulligan had his first NPS outing after sustaining a knee injury in May, William returning from a high altitude wine tasting trip to the French Alps to finish in 4th. The ever smiling Andy Burns (Orchard Wheelers) was 5th, the top six completed by Paraig Bonnie (U/A)
Making a rare MTB trip to the South, East Antrim Audi rider Ben Morrow won the Sports Mens race, held over two laps. For much of the race the leader was Lakeland CC’s new mtb star Michael Hamilton, however in the final climb to the finish Michael ran out of steam, eventually finishing in 3rd, as pint sized muscle man Paul Foley collected a fine runners up spot. Anne Duffy took her now traditional win in the Sports Womens Class, Epic’s Natalie Jeddah runner up with Banbridge CC’s Nicola Oldham in 3rd.
Sorrento rider Conal Higgins Jr scored a fine win in the U-16 race, Conal crossing the line ahead of XMTB’s Jonny Beers. Chris Cameron was third with fellow XMTB rider William Boyd in 4th. Michael Runciman (Banbridge CC) took the honours in the U-14 race, this after his main threat, fellow Bann rider Matt Adair, had to pit to fix a broken front mech. Matt rejoined the race in last place and with only the use of the middle ring he eventually finished in second. In a superb battle for third, Worc’s Jordan Sutton just piped XMTB’s Claire Oakley in a thrilling sprint to the line.
Chris Oakley(XMTB) led from start to finish to win the U-12 event. In an epic dual for second involving Ben Gregory (Epic) and Banbridge CC’s Dan Runciman, it was Gregory who succeeded, though this only after Runciman crashed at the start of the final lap, by the time he remounted he had lost the tow on Gregory. Banbridge CC rider James Curry easily took the U-10 race with fellow Bann rider Rachel Mayne copping well with the tricky conditions to finish second. Going faster all the time after his radical haircut, Newry rider Cain McConvey finished a close third. Banbridge CC dominated the U-8 proceedings, John Buller remaining unbeaten with another great win ahead of his sister Shannon and Richard Baird.
Well done to all at Epic for a great event, especially the amount of marshals provided on both the road and around the course. The final round of the NPS is this Sunday at Tymon Park in Dublin which should be a high speed mtb extravaganza.
Race report by Andy Potts.
Race results and overall NPS 2007 standings: Excel file | HTML |