Lewis Ferguson inflicted a rare defeat on multiple cross champion Robin Seymour at Castle Park today. The two riders rode together for much of the race with any attacks being countered or thwarted by mechanical or technical troubles (falling off, in other words). Lewis got the decisive gap with about two laps to go and managed to hold it until the finish despite a major effort by Robin. Ray Brownfield continues an impressive comeback with a comfortable third and could be a serious contender for medals at the championships. (Just hope you don’t retire again Ray!).

Photos should be up by tonight, with a bonus of some video!!!, if Ricky pulls his finger out.

View Photos »

For full report by Andy Potts including results follow the link below.

Report by Andy Potts

Team BHB rider Lewis Ferguson took the honours in Sundays XMTB Cyclo Cross, held over a short and tricky course in Castle Park in Bangor.  This was Ferguson’s second win in succession, the main feature being his first ever success over Irish Champion Robin Seymour.

The Bangor race attracted yet another superb entry, 60 for the main Senior event, with a well supported program of Youth races.  Most pleasing of all the wide array of talent on display, representative of all cycling disciplines, once again the downhill clan showed great enthusiasm for the event.

The eight lap Senior race began with the riders charging down the all weather pitch and onto the BMX track section, the mass of riders led by downhillers Rick Lawerence and Glynn O’Brien.  As the riders entered the woodland section for the first time the sheer traffic caused a few log jams, from which cries of “ excuse me old chap would you move out of the way please “ could be heard. (or words to that effect!)  One early retirement was Apollo’s Junior McAuley, the young ace forced out when a crank came off!

The opening lap ended with Ray Brownfield (North Down) leading from Robin Seymour (Team Worc), Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB) and Alistair McSorley (Apollo CT), this quartet already pulling clear of the chasing pack.  On the next circuit Ferguson and Seymour broke away leaving McSorely and Brownfield to dispute third.  Having his first Ulster outing of the season, the newly bearded Dave Gill (Team Worc) looked very strong in fifth.  Next came Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers) and Robbie Lamont (XMTB) having their weekly battle for the Vets prize.  Glyn O’Brien (U/A) was still going well after his good start, having a good battle for eighth with Neil Delahaye (Usher RC) and Mark McKinley (Newry Wheelers).

As the Ferguson, Seymour battle for the lead continued on lap three, Brownfield made third place his own as McSorley slipped back into the clutches of Gill.  McConville found himself a clear leader in the Vets contest after Lamont was forced out due to illness.  At this stage the top ten had been joined by Connor Campbell (Newry Wheelers), and leading rider in the MTB Class, Glenn Kinning (Castlereagh CC), who suffered an early blow due to a puncture.

The race reached the halfway point with Seymour looking to have broken clear from Ferguson, and as far as the large crowd of spectators was concerned, that was the race over, they awaited a Seymour win.  On a dramatic penultimate lap Seymour was forced to pit for a new font wheel after his front tubular tyre had been ripped off by a tree root.  Ferguson was the new leader, almost one minute up on Seymour.  The last lap proved frantic, Ferguson battled thorough the tail end traffic knowing that behind him Seymour was making a huge effort to catch him.  At the finish Ferguson scored a popular win as Seymour crossed the line 30 seconds  down, with Brownfield an excellent third in front of his ‘home’ supporters.  Watching the action from the side of the course was former Irish Champion Roger Aiken.  The Dromore rider has yet to ride a cyclo cross race this season, hopefully he will join the current pace setters at the Irish Champs in Banbridge in January.

On the last lap Dave Gill grabbed fourth with Mark McKinley a close fifth.  Glenn Kinning took the MTB class and sixth overall.  The big looser on the last lap was Alistair McSorley, he dropped from fourth to seventh.  Peter McConville won the Vets Class, taking eighth overall, with Neil Delahaye ninth in what was his first Ulster outing of the season.  Newry rider Conor Campbell completed the top ten. 

Graham Boyd (XMTB) took the Junior award, finishing 12th overall.  Tarja Owens won the Ladies class . Ciara McManus (XMTB) was runner up as well known fell racer Anne Sandford took third on her cyclo cross debut.  Nicola Oldham took fourth ahead of her fellow Banbridge rider Harriet Mayne.  It is encouraging to see the entry in the Ladies class increasing, let’s hope the trend continues.

A few other mentions to the following: Michael Hamilton was 16th just ahead of fellow North Down rider Keith Millar.  Michael Cowan, the downhill ace, once again enjoyed a good dice with Banbridge Vet riders William Mulligan and Jon Runciman, giving rise to rumours that he is trying to get the two old men to have a go at downhilling next year!

The action in the Youth races provided a great spectacle.  In the U-8 race Banbridge rider just pipped fellow Bann riders Stuart Dunlop and Richard Baird.  Team Madigan rider Ty Mackness looked awesome as he took a worthy win in the U-10 class. A great dice for second saw Bann rider Joseph Baird just hold off Apollo’s Sean McCormick. XMTB rider Chris Oakley took the U-12 class from Banbridge’s Dan Runciman.  The U-14 race saw Banbridge rider Matthew Adair return to form following his nasty spill at Lisburn last week, Matthew a convincing winner over XMTB’s Robbie Lamont, who just held off a late challenge from fellow Club rider Claire Oakley.  Johnny Beers gave XMTB another win as he looked very strong in his U-16 victory.  William Boyd (XMTB)was runner up with North Down’s Stuart Henry in third.

Next weekend there are two Cyclo Cross events on the calendar.  On Saturday IMBRC stage their event in Tymon Park in Dublin, a superb venue which is just off the M50.  Hopefully a good number of Ulster riders will give their support to the race.  On Sunday Team Madigan hold their race at a new venue, a sports ground near Kilroot Power Station, and not Woodburn Reservoir as on the calendar. Details of these events later in the week.

On behalf of all involved on Off Road Cycling, I would like to send best wishes to Gloria Boyd of XMTB fame.  Gloria is currently in the Royal Victoria Hospital recovering from a major operation.  Wishing you a very speedy recovery Gloria,

Andy

View Photos »

Castle Park Cyclo Cross results

SENIOR RACE

Name - Club @ Time
1 Lewis Ferguson - BHB @ 44.12
2 Robin Seymour - WORC @ 44.32
3 Ray Brownfield - North Down @ 45.47
4 David Gill - WORC @ 46.55
5 Mark McKinley - Newry Wheelers @ 47.00
6 Allister Macsorley - Apollo @ 47.17
7 Peter McConville - Newry Wheelers @ 47.44
8 Neill Delahaye - Usher @ 48.19
9 Conor Campbell - Newry Wheelers @ 48.58
10 Gary Henning - Newry Wheelers @ 49.57
11 Graham Boyd - XMTB @ 50.03
12 Liam McGreevy - Banbridge @ 50.14
13 Glyn O’Brien - U/A @ 50.30
14 Michael Hamilton - North Down @ 1 lap
15 Keith Millar - North Down @ 1 lap
16 Michael Cullen - Plush @ 1 lap
17 Ross Blayney - Ards CC @ 1 lap
18 Drew McKinley - Newry Wheelers @ 1 lap
19 William Mulligan - Banbridge @ 1 lap
20 Jon Runciman - Banbridge @ 1 lap
21 Tarja Owens - WORC @ 1 lap
22 Fred Macsorley @ Apollo 1 lap
23 Anthony Mitchell - North Down @ 1 lap
24 Liam Baxter - Newry Wheelers @ 1 lap
25 Ross Galway - Dromara @ 1 lap
This is all thats available for now, more to follow when we get the full results sent through…

UNDER 16 RACE

Name - Club @ Time
1 Jonny Beers - XMTB @ 27.28
2 Stuart Henry - North Down @ 28.22
3 William Boyd - XMTB @ 29.40
4 Chris Cameron - XMTB @ 30.30

UNDER 14 RACE  

Name - Club @ Time
1 Matthew Adair - Banbridge @ 14.32
2 Robbie Lamont - XMTB @ 15.22
3 Claire Oakley - XMTB @ 15.30
4 Gareth McCormac - Apollo @ 22.13

UNDER 12 RACE 

Name - Club @ Time
1 Chris Oakley - XMTB @ 9.16
2 Dan Runciman - Banbridge @ 9.20
3 Dean Colhoun - U/A @ 9.59
4 Owen McCabrey - Apollo @ 11.54
5 Aimee Ogilby - XMTB @ 12.23

UNDER 10 RACE 

Name - Club
1 Ty Mackness - Madigan
2 Joseph Baird - Banbridge 
3 Sean McCormac - Apollo 
4 Zak Hanna - Dromara 
5 Rachel Mayne - Banbridge 

UNDER 8 RACE 

Name - Club
1 John Buller - Banbridge 
2 Stuart Dunlop - Banbridge 
3 Richard Baird - Banbridge 
4 Shannon Buller - Banbridge 
5 Jack Lamont - XMTB 
6 Scott Hylands - East Antrim 
7 Kendall Mackness - Madigan 
8 Rebekah Ogilby - XMTB 
9 Ben Hanna - Dromara

Category: Cyclo-Cross » |

...........................................................................................................................................................................