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Chain Reaction Cycling Club Winter Series 2008
Round 2 Race Report
Feb 08
On a dry but bitterly cold day Moneyscalp Wood played host to the second and final round of the 2008 DH Winter Series. The first round was a resounding success with 159 riders signing on and the second round was even better subscribed to with 169 riders of all ages signing on to do battle. It was great to see an even bigger turnout of girls/ladies with 6 girls signing on which we think is the best ever turnout of solely local riders in this cat – and there’s still more to come!
Slightly shorter than the round 1 course the mixture of fast rooty sections, big berms and rock sections, combined with some energy sapping pedally sections created a not overly challenging course but one that still had a few “natural” tricks up it’s sleeve with two Elite riders, Paul Cummings and Dan Wolfe (who won the 1 st round) both taking nasty falls and putting them out of the main event. The weather, which was generally Baltic was particularly bitter in the trees towards the bottom of the course where any sunshine wasn’t getting through and the wind was whipping up the chill factor. It didn’t however stop riders cheering on other riders and a large spectator turnout helped raise the atmosphere and encourage the riders on course. Shouting was the order of the day as most people’s hands were in their pockets keeping warm! The start time was unfortunately delayed due to a glitch in the timing system but once it was up and running it once again proved its worth with riders getting their times as they crossed the line, both vocally and on screen.
U14
Nineteen, yes 19 turned out in the U14s, 8 more than in the first round, and proud parents were seen up and down the course watching their boys make their way down the course and there were many hoots of relief when they made it safely to the bottom! It was an amazing turnout and they’re all a credit to DH. First round winner Dan Sheridan (EPIC MTB) proved once again that he is the “man” to beat this year and his time of 1.20.877 was just too good for Lewis McIntosh 1.23.156 and first run leader Christopher “Kipper” McGlinchy (CRC) who was only fractionally slower on 1.23.684.
U16
Gavin Carroll (Flow Racing) is lit, pure and simple, and it is going to take a very good ride from someone to beat Gavin this year in the U16s. Gavin’s time of 1.12.929 would have placed him 6 th in a very strong junior category in what is his first year in the U16s. Eoghan Priestly (IMBRC) did however make Gavin sweat in the first run by taking fasted time but in the end he had to settle for very respectable second place with a 1.16.484 with the ever consistent Michael McCann taking third in 1.17.106. Another very impressive turnout with 24 riders signing on!
Women/Girls/Ladies….don’t want to insult anyone
The first round saw 4 of the girls taking part and it was an outstanding 6 girls that signed up for the second round. Team Revolution’s (and part time cheer leader) Maeve Baxter 1.33.848, absent from the first round, made a triumphant return to take first place by over 5 seconds from another returnee Joanne McCallum (Banbridge CC) 1.39.173 with EPICs’ Natalie Jedda filling the final podium spot on 1.42.514. First round winner Aoife O’Donoghue and Una Mollin (EPIC MTB) took 4 th and 5 th spots respectively. With a few other girls yet to compete this year we’re getting close to the magic 10 figure!
SUPER VETS
The evergreen Peter Popham (Flow Racing) and Tom Sheridan (EPIC MTB) fought out the battle for the half century + class and it was Peter who once again came out just ahead of Tom with Peter on a 1.33.628 and Tom a few seconds behind on 1.37.015.
VETS
The status quo was retained in the Vets class with the top 4 riders - Stevie Davidson (CRC) 1.15.826, Carl “Banana Man” Young 1.19.428, Colin Finley 1.20.440 and Steven Graham 1.22.638 finishing 1 st to 4 th as in the first round although the top 3 will be looking over their shoulders as Steven is closing the gap. It was also great to see one of the characters of Irish DH/XC, Richie Byrne (EPIC MTB) making a welcome return to the “competitive” DH scene and whilst he was a bit off the pace (just a bit ginger…sorry rusty) he brings a bit of colour, humour (dark), madness and savageness to the event – as well as his commentating qualities. Welcome back Richie.
SPORT
Thirty two riders competed in a very competitive field and a few of them should seriously think about moving to the Senior cat where they wouldn’t be out of their depth. Gareth Johnston 1.12.612 and Nigel Glynn (Hollingsworth) 1.13.138 finished 1 st and 2 nd and would have finished 4 th and 5 th in the Senior cat! Darren Cox (IMBRC) took the final podium spot with a 1.16. 217 and Keith McMann was 4 th on 1.18.911.
SENIOR
The Castlewellan flyer aka “Speedfreak” aka James Burns was a revelation in the senior cat and quite simply blew the opposition away with a blistering 1.06.571 which was also the second fasted time of the day overall – do you hear the Elites calling James?
For those of you who don’t know James he was the bright yellow blurrrrr flying past! First round winner Ciaran O’Donaghue 1.11.068 took second place and James O’Carroll (021 Racing) 1.11.948 took third. Ciaran and James’s times would have placed them 6 th and 7 th in Elites!
MASTERS
No return yet for expectant father Joe Ward, but aside from Joe the Masters was up to full strength with the return of CRC duo of Michael Cowan and Dale McMullan who were released from their organisational duties – well nearly.
Michael took the honours with a very respectable 1.09.645 followed by rookie Dale McMullan on 1.11.089 and Ian “Mac” McIntyre made it a 1-2-3 for CRC with third 1.12.755. Winner of the first round, Sean “The Happy Fairy” Herlihy (EPIC MTB) finished just off the podium in 4 th and Dammo Duggan (Flow Racing) took 5 th. Does this mean that Herlihy St. will be reverting back to O’Connell St. ?
JUNIORS
Another massive turnout of 33 riders in the Juniors makes this talented category of “young pretenders” one of the most exciting and competitive with some of the top riders like Jason Murphy and Ewan Doherty yet to make a competitive appearance for one reason or another.
Irish U16 Champion, David Graham 1.09.041(Banbridge CC) bounced back from a 5 th place 2 weeks ago to take 1 st place from the pre-race favourite and Irish Team rider Seanan O’Riordan (Flow Racing) who was pipped by a mere 0.667 on 1.09.708. The fast improving Dave Keenan (Flow Racing) was only a fraction slower on 1.10.019 to improve on his 4 th place in the first round. Paul McGrady (CRC) finished 4 th on the same second as Dave with a 1.10.313 showing just how close this cat is. Less than 6 seconds separated the top 8 riders – roll on the NPS.
ELITE
This cat was dealt a blow before the racing started with first round winner Dan Wolfe (Flow Racing) and his fellow Dubliner Paul Cummings both crashing out in practice. The racing was however fierce and it was Dan’s brother Ger (Flow Racing) who kept it in the family by taking victory and fasted time of the day with a 1.06.453. That “veteran” of Irish DH Glyn OB (Kona/Sombrio), still riding with the quick young boys, pushed Ger all the way, proving he’s still got the capacity to compete with the young uns and he posted a 1.06.8687 only 0.415 from the top of the podium. Colin Ross made his second appearance of the season and was only a further 0.340 behind in third on 1.07.208 and we’ll hopefully we’ll see Colin at the NPS events this year. A very tight cat saw local rider Gareth McKee (Banbridge CC) finish in 4 th on the same second as Colin with a 1.07.328. Less than a second separated the top four!
Once again is was great to see so many riders from all over Ireland making the effort to travel and race and it’s a great testament both to the DH community and the organisational skills of the CRC Team who once gain pulled off a memorable and enjoyable event. The usual suspects Tina, Michelle, Michael, Dale and Ian Mac deserve special mention as well as Mrs. Mac (Leslie) at the bottom of the course and Ian and Stevo “Big Tree Joinery” Beattie at the start. Stevo, who finished 3 rd in the first round, sacrificed a ride to help with the organisation . Thanks also to the Marshals and any others that I’ve neglected to mention – not forgetting the Paramedic and FS who we hope will continue to work along with race organisers in all biking disciplines and develop the sport of DH/XC in our forests. Nearly forgot to thank Richie Byrne and the big good looking guy with the hair (grey) who did the commentary – Nicola Ward they’re not, but thanks guys. Next stop…….1 st round of the Irish NPS!
Words and pictures by George Doherty |
