XMTB Winter XCO League – Round 2 – Castle Park, Bangor.
Another excellent turn-out
The second round of XMTB’s Winter League attracted another excellent entry to Castle Park in Bangor on Sunday, and once again it was very encouraging to see so many new faces out on the course. In spite of a wet week prior to the event, the course remained in excellent condition, with the organisers using the reverse direction of the opening round route.
Having finished runner up in the opening Fun/Senior race, XMTB’s Robbie Lamont easily won Sunday’s race, leading the eight lapper from start to finish. Behind the tree trunk legged Vet, the action centred on a Youth versus Age battle for the remainder of the top placings. The opening lap saw Lamont rocket into an early lead, leaving his fellow ‘oldies’ Gary Wilson (East Antrim), Jon Runciman (Banbridge CC) and Paul McMennamin (Omagh Wheelers) to battle against ‘youngsters’ Graham Boyd, Neil McGimpsey, Jonny Beers (all XMTB) and Stuart Henry.
The battle for second soon developed into a three way encounter between Wilson,Boyd and McGimpsey, as opening round ultimate crash victim Jon Runciman had a great scrap with Stuart Henry, the young North Down rider a revelation in toe clips!
As the race entered the closing stages, Boyd escaped from Wilson and McGimpsey to establish himself in a strong second. Meanwhile, Runciman and Henry continued their battle with McMenamin just doing enough to stay clear of Beers.
At the end of the very entertaining eight laps, a very pleased Lamont crossed the line to runaway win. Runner up, Boyd, finished over a minute down on Lamont. The noise level of the spectators increased as they looked up the BMX section to see McGimpsey and Wilson sprinting for third. Wilson edged passed McGimpsey at the final hairpin proceeded to grab a superb third. In an almost repeat encounter, Runciman overtook Henry at the same final hairpin, and sprinted down the final section to snatch fifth. What a day for the ‘oldies’, three inside the top six.
Omagh rider McMenamin once again rode well, especially entertaining over the BMX jumps, and at the finish he took seventh, just ahead of U-16 rider Beers. Ninth place went to newcomer Ronan Corrigan who crossed the line just 3 seconds behind Beers. Jess Laird (XMTB) once again had a superb outing, finishing tenth overall and best of the Womens contingent. Lisburn rider Martin Grimley showed just how much he is improving as he held off seasoned campaigners Eamon McConvey (Newry version) and Anthony Mitchell (North Down ) to take 11th.
Newry’s Ann Duff had her first outing of the season to finish second in the Womens Class and 17th overall, a fine result. Special mention must go to XMTB’s Phil Weston, the all smiling, all spinning, totally enjoying himself, finishing 18th. Also mentioned in dispatches must be Annalong’s Thomas Magnum look-alike, William Forsythe. Having shaken off a cold just in time for the Bangor race, William was going well until he came to grief at the downhill entrance to the BMX section. The popular Vet rider remounted and finished the race, and as a bonus he caught and passed arch rival, fellow Banbridge rider Maurice Mayne. As he left for home, William displayed his blooded elbow and knee, but his main concern was how he was going to explain the rip in his new cycling tights to…’the boss’!!!!! And finally, well done to Dromara CC’s Basil Colhun, making his race debut, and finishing 27th.
Once again the Youth races provided brilliant action, the entertainment level raised by the vocal encouragement provided by the parents on the sidelines! In the U-8 class Banbridge CC took the top three positions, John Buller repeating his win of the opening round, with his sister again runner up. Shenna McKiverigan had one of her best ever results as she finished 3rd. XMTB have discovered a great new talent in the form of Conor Nairn, for the second week in succession he romped to victory in the U-10 class. Runner up was Cain McConvey (Newry Wheelers) who just held off Banbridge’s Rachel Mayne. Attracting much of the attention once again was young Chris Curry, the three and a half year old in total control as he rode to ninth.
The U-12 and U-14 races saw the introduction of timed handicaps, based on the positions in the opening round. Chris Oakley gave XMTB another success with a great ride in the U-12 event, Banbridge riders Dan Runciman and James Curry taking the next two places. Ty Mackness (Madigan) had a great battle with XMTB’s Markus Pagels to snatch fourth, the pair separated by just a second. Aimee Ogilby (XMTB) was the best Lady finisher, taking sixth.
Having missed the opening race due to illness, Banbridge rider Matthew Adair easily won the U-14 race, helped by the fact that all his main rivals had to battle against a time handicap. Jack Wilson (East Antrim) , the first round winner, was the fastest rider on the course, ending the race in second, with Michael Runciman (Banbridge CC) in third and Robbie Lamont (XMTB) in fifth. This should be a superb race at the next round which will again be handicapped.
Congratulations to XMTB on another slick event, and well done to all those having their first taste of MTB action. What a pity the event is not supported by more Youth from Cycling Ulster Clubs, after all the road season is over two months away. The next round of the XMTB series takes place on Sunday 11th February. This Sunday Apollo CT stage the first of their two MTB Winter Series races, the venue Craigavon Lakes, though not based at the Watersports Centre Car Park, instead the course will be at the Lurgan end of the Lakes, the same location as used by Apollo for their mini series last January. More details at the end of the week.
Results:
U8s
1 John Buller
2 S Buller
3 S McKiverigan
4 J Lamont
5 F McConvey
6 B Colhoun
7 K Mackness
8 C Stewart
9 C Curry
U10s
1 C Nairn
2 C McConvey
3 R Maine
4 J Curry
5 J Baird
6 N McKelvey
U12s H,Cap
1 Chris Oakley
2 D Runciman
3 J Curry
4 T Mackness
5 M Pagels
6 A Ogilby
7 D Colhoun
U14s H'Cap
1 M Adair
2 J Wilson
3 M Runciman
4 R Lamont
5 K McEwan
6 C Millar
7 C Oakley
8 B McKelvey
9 S Ballentine
Fun
1 R Lamont
2 G Boyd
3 G Wilson
4 N McGimpsey
5 J Runciman
6 S Henry
7 P McMenamin
8 J Beers
9 R Corrigan
10 J Laird
11 M Grimley
12 E McConvey
13 A Mitchell
14 D Tweed
15 A Rea
16 C Kay
17 A Duffy
18 P Weston
19 W Forsythe
20 N Kelly
21 M Mayne
22 C Cameron
23 R Ogilby
24 N Oldham
25 B Mackness
26 H Mayne
27 B Colhoun
Report by Andy Potts.