Irish MTB XCO National Champs 2007
15 titles in a row for Seymour
Robin Seymour (Team Worc) confirmed his status as Ireland’s Mountain Bike Cross Country king by claiming his 15th Elite National title in a row on Sunday at Tollymore Forest Park in County Down. Promoted by Banbridge Cycling Club, the 2007 national champs attracted an entry of 170 riders and throughout the day the weather was superb.
Resting in the foothills of the world famous Mourne Mountains, Tollymore Forest provided an ideal setting for the champs, the Bann Club preparing a technical course which measured 3.1 miles in length.
The Elite Mens race was an eight lap affair, and after a first lap challenge from IMBRC rider Niall Davis, Robin Seymour had little trouble in defending his title, the Wicklow rider clearly delighted as he crossed the finish line. For the organising Banbridge Club there was great celebration as Roger Aiken grabbed third place, just over a minute down on Davis. There was disappointment early in the race for XMTB rider Conor McConvey. He had been chasing Aiken for third, however a puncture on the third lap saw him drop down the leaderboard. The young Belfast based rider eventually finished 6th. Peter Buggle (Team Worc) once again performed superbly to take fourth. Ryan Sherlock (MAD) had a good ride to fifth.
Beth McCluskey (Epic) captured the Elite Womens title taking the six lapper comfortably from reigning champion Tarja Owens. The bronze medal went to UCD’s Cait Elliott, who completed a great debut season in the Elite ranks, Cait also winning the Irish Elite Womens NPS title.
One of the most popular wins of the day came in the Junior race. The six lapper was controlled from start to finish by Banbridge rider Liam McGreevy, a contrast to the same time two weeks earlier as he lay in Tallaght Hospital following a crash at Tymon Park, with what was a suspected broken leg and thinking that his season had been wrecked. Cheered on by a very partisan crowd, young McGreevy was overjoyed as he crossed the line to take his first ever Irish title, thus continuing a long family tradition in the McGreevy family. Behind the Banbridge rider a superb battle took lace for second which went all the way to the finish, XMTB’s Graham Boyd just out sprinting IMBRC rider Paul O’Reilly to the line.
French exile Yvain Sogno took the Experts title in style, the Team Worc rider ending the six lap event with over four minutes to spare over runner up, IMBRC’s Dave Barry. Evan Ryan(Team Worc) took a close third with his fellow Worc front runners Phillip Roche and Richard Felle both early retirements. As expected, Joe McCall (K Capital Source) captured the Masters title, the popular rider having no equals as he cpmpleted the six laps with almost seven minutes to spare over runner up, Englishman Mark Allen (Red Kite Cycles). Peter O’Farrell was third and Niall Quinlan(myhome.ie/Cycleways) fourth. With Allen being a BCF licence holder, O’Farrell took the Irish silver medal and Quinlan the bronze.
Cuchulainn’s Gerry McCabe as expected wrapped up the Vets title, the old men only having to face four laps. The result may have been different had XMTB’s Robbie Lamont not crashed out on the second lap, at the time he was in the wheel tracks of McCabe. Lamont was taken from the course with a suspected broken bone in his ankle, the latest news is that hopefully it may be badly damaged ligaments. Former Downhill ace, Paul McMenamin (Specialized/Leisure Lakes), took an excellent second place, the Omagh rider having been a welcome addition to the thriving Vets Class this year. The final podium position went to Newry Wheelers all rounder Peter McCConville.
A week after winning the Irish Masters DH title, Chain Reaction’s Michael Cowan stood on top of the podium at Tollymore to receive his award for winning the Sports Mens event. For two of the three laps the leader was Lakeland CC’s Michael Holland with Cowan setting off for the final circuit only a few seconds down. Holland ran out of gas on the final circuit and it was Cowan who took a fine win. A very tired Holland did well to finish second with Brain O’Driscoll in third. Anne Duffy as expected took the Sports Womens race though Jenny Kilbride (U/A) was a very close second. Making the long trip from Galway, Sadhbh Baxter (West Coast Wheelers) completed the podium.
XMTB rider Jonny Beers easily took the U-16 race, the young Antrim rider finishing well clear of runner up, fellow Club rider William Boyd. Sorrento’s Conal Higgins was third with newly crowned Irish U-16 DH Champion, David Graham (Banbridge CC) taking fourth on his XC debut. The U-14 race was a great achievement for the top three, all who rode the previous day in the fourth round of the British NPS in Plymouth. East Antrim’s Jack Wilson took the crown, this after having overcome a nasty crash in Plymouth to finish in eighth. Banbridge rider Michael Runciman was runner up, he was sixth in Plymouth with fellow Bann rider Matt Adair third, Matt having finished fourth in Plymouth and only having arrived back in Dublin Port at 6am on Sunday morning! Another member of the Cycling Ulster Squad on duty in Plymouth was XMTB’s Claire Oakley, the young Newtownards lady did well to take fifth.
Having recently swept the board at the Irish Youth Road Race Champs, Banbridge rider Mark Downey added to his medal collection by taking the U-12 race at Tollymore, Mark overcoming a determined challenge from fellow Bann rider Dan Runciman. XMTB’s Chris Oakley was third. Aimee Ogilby was the best lady finisher in 5th place. Banbridge scored again with James Curry winning the U-10 title for the second year in succession. Runner up was Newry’s Cian McConvey with XMTB rider Conor Nairn taking third.
In an all Banbridge dominated podium in the U-8 class John Buller won from Richard Baird and Shannon Buller. Banbridge rider Shenna McKiverigan was best of the lady riders taking fifth, the same position achieved by her dad Liam on his mtb debut in the Sports Class!
Banbridge CC would like to thank all the riders who supported the event, an event that almost didn’t take place due to ridiculous red tape set by a few governmental departments. A big thanks to the staff at Tollymore Forest and to medic Mary Hardy.
Report by the one-and-only Andy Potts!
Big thanks to Andy from all MTB clubs nationwide for his excellent support, energy, reports and enthusiam for the sport, it's very much appreciated!