Contributed by: Andy Potts

International Cross Country Mountain Biking came to County Down Riviera on Sunday, Rostrevor to be precise, as Banbridge Cycling Club promoted the second round of the K-Capital Cup. The venue was Rostrevor Forest with the caravan site in Kilbroney Park serving as the main arena. Weather conditions were superb and helped produce a sunshine day to remember the 157 riders of all ages who took part.

The main event was the Elite Mens race which drew entries from Scotland, England, Ireland, Germany and South Africa. The race took place over eight laps of the 3.96km course, which meant the riders had to face the tortuous opening 1km climb eight times. Pre race favourite, Robin Seymour from County Wicklow, had to borrow a bike shortly before the start of the race after his own bike was damaged during practice.

For the opening three laps the large crowd was entertained by a four way scrap for the lead involving Seymour, Dubliner Niall Davies, Conor McConvey from Belfast and German rider Benjamin Sonntag. On lap four Seymour was forced to stop for almost three minutes to fix a broken chain, also loosing a place to English rider James Fraser Moodie. The battle for the lead became a dual when Sonntag had to pit for a wheel on the sixth lap after getting a front wheel puncture.

Race Photos »

MORE »