Contributed by: Andy Potts

The third round of the K-Capital MTB XCO Series took place on Sunday 1st April at Carlingford Forest in County Louth, with Niall Davis (IMBRC) taking maximum points in the Elite race for the second week in succession. The venue was literally a last minute choice, and congratulations must go to those who set out a superb course in such a short time. The mixture of non stop sunshine and great action on course made it another K-Capital day to remember.

The Elite race was an eight lap affair and from the start Niall Davis looked a picture of composure. The opening three laps saw Davis lead an all Irish quartet, the Dubliner joined by Irish Champion Robin Seymour(Team Worc), Belfast teenager Connor McConvey (XMTB) and the very ‘youthful looking 46 year old Peter Buggle (Team Worc). By the end of lap four, the halfway point, Davis had made his move as Seymour began to struggle with slipping gears and an injured knee which he hit while having a trip over the handlebars.

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During the second part of the race Davis, his face almost frozen in pure concentration, continued to pull clear of his rivals. Seymour did all he could to stay in touch with the leader as McConvey dropped off the pace, Bugle still in fourth but slowly coming under threat from Welsh rider Lee Williams. For Buggle the descisive moment of his race came at the end of lap six when his chain broke, luckily just as he passed the technical zone. By the time Buggle had fixed his chain Williams had taken over fourth place. At the head of the field Davis looked in total control, it was only after crossing the finish line to claim his second K-Capital win, that he allowed himself a small smile. For Seymour, his never give up attitude was clearly evident on the last lap. On the final single track section he took 40 seconds out of Davis’s lead, finishing a mere 25 seconds down. Connor McConvey had slipped off the pace in the closing stages yet still took a magnificent third and he is clearly one of Ireland’s best future prospects.

Welshman Lee Williams was well pleased with fourth place, as the ever calm, ever smiling Peter Buggle overcame his chain problems to finish fifth. South African rider John Paul Pearton enjoyed the Carlingford course, finishing sixth. Team BHB rider Lewis Ferguson took 7th and Team Worc’s James McCluskey 8th. Belfast rider Simon McConnell was overjoyed with ninth, the first rider from Club MTB to score ranking points in a XCO race. The most unfortunate rider of the race had to be former basketball star Ryan Sherlock (M.A.D.). In the early part of the race Ryan was in fifth place an enjoying a great battle with Lee Williams. Unfortunately Ryan then suffered three punctures, never before had he ever had a puncture in an MTB race. Ryan did however make it to the finish, this after quite a bit of running, crossing the line in 10th place.

The five lap Elite Ladies race saw Beth McCluskey take another resounding win, Beth already having won the first two rounds of the series. Tarja Owens (Team Worc) was second and Ciara McManus (XMTB) third.

Whether it was the sun or the course, it has to be stated that the support programme of races provided high class action and entertainment. French exile, Yvain Sugno (Team le Worc), fended off a very determined Matt Ferguson (Team BHB) to take the honours in the Experts event, Sugno only breaking clear of Ferguson on the final lap. Finishing a close third was Conor Campbell (Newry Wheelers) who in turn crossed the line just ahead of IMBRC rider Dave Barry. Team Worc’s Evan Ryan took fifth and what a fantastic result for Irish DH ace Glyn O’Brien, the Newry based rider in sixth.

The Masters race was another thriller. The early action involved series leader Joe McCall (Rocky Mountain), Peter O’Farrell (U/A) and Damien Mulchrone (EPIC). Mulchrone saw his chances expire early when he had to stop top fix a broken chain, this leaving O’Farrell and McCall in their own very personal dual. At the finish it was O’Farrell who took maximum points, though second was good enough to keep McCall in the leaders jersey. Sorrento’s John Dorris took an excellent third, as the unlucky Mulchrone headed a very close contest for fourth, the Epic rider closely followed over the line by Worc riders Dave Gill and Gordon Lucas.

The Vets race was another excellent affair, with Apollo CT rider Aidan McDonald claiming win number three of the series. The Cooley rider had spent most of the week building the course, his right wrist bandaged as a result of all his fine work. Runner up to McDonald was XMTB ‘old boy’ Robert Lamont, as Gerry McCabe of the promoting Cuchulainn Club finished a close third, his limbs in their usual blooded state! The quiet spoken Paul McMenamin (Specialized/Leisure Lakes) slotted into fourth , ahead of race organiser Johnny McCabe and Team Worc’s Paul Coyne. Banbridge Cycling Club’s Liam McGreevy led the Junior race from start to finish to take his first ever win in the Junior ranks. Cuchulainn’s Rab McCabe finished runner up and took over the leaders jersey. Inspite of mechanical problems, IMBRC rider Paul O’Reilly took third, and very happy to score his first points of the series.

Robert Magee(Nomad) maintained the lead in the Sports Mens Class with an emphatic start to finish win. In a close run race for second, Seamus Byrne (Cuchulainn) just crossed the line ahead of IMBRC’s Colm Keane. The Sports Ladies race provided yet another success for Sadbh Baxter (West Coast Wheelers), Ann Duffy (Newry Wheelers) a close second and third place going to Inga Doak (M.A.D.).

William Boyd (XMTB) put a long lay off due to injury behind him as he scored a brilliant win in the U-16 race, the young ace finishing with a very comfortable margin over Shane Geoghegan and his fellow M.A.D. rider Ciaran Corson. A frantic U-14 race had three different leaders before victory finally went to Jack Wilson (East Antrim Audi). Banbridge CC’s Matt Adair overcame chain problems and five broken rear wheel spokes to take second. Unluckiest rider was Michael Runciman (Banbridge CC), he punctured while leading, and after running to the finish had to settle for fourth, third place going to newcomer Robert Scanlon (U/A). The U-12 race was won by Dan Runciman from Banbridge with Dromara CC’s Zak Hanna a good second, with the newest of the McCabe Clan, Andrew, happy with third. Banbridge CC rider James Curry dominated the U-10 race, his third win in a row, Newry’s Cain McConvey runner up from Banbridge’s Joseph Baird. Banbridge CC celebrated yet again when John Buller took the honours in the U-8 class ahead of fellow Bann riders Shannon Buller, Richard Baird and Shenna McKiverigan.

The K-Capital Cup comes to an end on Sunday 22nd April at the superb Castlewellan Forest course, the event organised by XMTB. Hopefully whoever has been in charge of the weather at the last two races can do the same again at the final round.

Full results and photos to follow.

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Category: Mountainbike » |

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