Bigwood is also a track which has been around for many a year. Its also an extremely enjoyable track. Nothing to extreme, but enough to keep you on your toes, and also to leave you indecisive of if your downhill bike or short travel bike should be raced. Without doubt a definite test to see who has been doing there winter training. It may show who has been squatting the deepest or doing the most bicep curls or possibly even wrist curls. Who knows!

Heres how the racing went:

In U14 we have a fresh bunch of riders in this year, with the top 3 from last year moving up to U16 it will be interesting to see who comes out on top this year.

U14:

In 3^rd place was Kyle O Carroll riding for OC Tuning/Solid Bikes, this was Kyle’s first ever podium finish so a big congrats to him. In 2^nd place was Tommy O Sullivan, Im not 100% sure but I think its Tommys first podium too, so it’s clear there are a fresh bunch of young guns coming threw. On the top step riding for 021/Weldon Suspension was Jack Crowley who took the win by 9 seconds. One to watch this season for sure.

The U16 Category had a huge turnout this weekend of 29 riders, A tribute to our sport and nation.

U16:

Ben Kennedy took 3^rd spot on the day on board his box fresh Nukeproof Scalp received just the day before the race, Just 1 second ahead was Plush/MBW Rider Jacob Dickson in 2^nd place, taking the win on the day was local legend  Luc Hanna riding for Plush and Revolution Bike Store. Luk took his first ever win by 3.2 seconds, so big shout out to Luc!

Womens:

In the Womens category unfortunately it was a small turnout of just 2 riders. But 2 new names on the scene by the looks of it so hopefully as the year goes on the category will have better turnouts.

In 2^nd Place was Tara O Boyle with a time of 2.54 but clear winner on the day and 1^st place went to Erika McDermott with a time of 2.24.

Supervets:

This category had a larger than usual turnout with a total of 6 signing on. In 3^rd place was Laurence Peile stopping the clock at 2.39, a distance ahead of him was Victor Mcminn with a 2.22 and taking his first win of 2012  and I am sure wont be his last of 2012 is Nukeproofs Tom Sheridan who crossed the line with a time of 2.18.

Sports:

This category usually has one of the largest turnouts at the races but a relatively small turnout this weekend with just 16 signing on.

In 3^rd place stopping the clock at the 2.00 mark on the button was Gerard O Boyle, 2 seconds faster and under the 2 minute mark was Clarence Ballintine who took 2nd place on race day. Winner on the day with a clear 3 second margin was Oisin Mooney.

Seniors:

In 3^rd place was Colin Rowntree who posted a  respectable 1.47, 3 seconds faster was Nathan Hamilton, Hamilton is a bit of a weapon who posted the fastest time in the Ulster Series in Yellowater. Remember him?  Yeh thats him. He finishe in 2^nd spot on the day. (Thank god it was Gavin O Connell coming 2^nd again, He manned it and moved up to Elites. Good on yourself Gavin. Your nothing but a tribute)

In first place taking his first ever win is Colin ‘The Gard’ O Leary. Rumour has it Colin is in the process of setting up a new race team. He told fans it will be called ‘’ Colin O Leary, you know him ye? The big muscly lad and the lads Racing’’. He left it at that and watch this space.

Vets:

In 3^rd place on race day was John Glover who completed the course in just under 2 minutes with a time of 1.59, in 2^nd place riding for PLUSH MTB was No.1 of the Graham trio Stephen Graham. Clear winner on the day taking the win by a huge 10 seconds was CRC/Nukeproofs Ian McIntrye.

Masters:

Riding for Epic DH and finishing in 3^rd spot on the day was Dublins finest Sean Herhily who crossed the line with a time of 1.48, just ahead of him with a 1.47 was Conor Campell and taking the top step of the podium was Nukeproofs Michael Cowan who posted a fast 1.43. Im sure thats not the last of these guys you will see on the podium this year.

Juniors:

Taking his first top 3 finish in the Junior category was the ever factory Craig Rea, riding for One Ghost Industries, Gamut USA, Powerbar and Schwalbe Tyres. Craig finished in 3^rd spot with a time of 1.52, just ahead of him was Bespoke Cycles/ Epic DH rider  Adam Tarbett (really sexy, cool guy by the way) who managed to scrape a 1 second faster time than Craig with a 1.51. Local weapon and Revolution Cycles Rider Thomas Mccoy took the fastest Junior time on the day and took his first ever win in the Junior Category on board his brand new Specialized bike with a time 4 seconds ahead of the pack a 1.46.

Elites:

In 3^rd spot on race day was OC Tuning/Solid Bikes rider Greg Callaghan who posted a 1.32, Greg wasn’t actually planning on racing but changed his mind at the last minute, I am sure he is glad he raced now! In 2^nd place was local hero Glyn O Brien who took his first podium finish on board his new Nukeproof Mega. Glyn stopped the clock at the 1.36 mark. Winner on the day  and also posting the fastest time was Scottish weapon Greg Williamson who will be joing Dan Sheridan and Kipper on the Nukeproof race team for 2012. His time 1.32 was 4 seconds faster than anyone on the day.

^ Greg Williamson, Fastest Time of the day.^

 So that’s the craic from Winter Series Round 1, well done to all organisers, marshalls and of course the fantastic athletes who competed on the day. Lets hope the second round is as successful as the first.  The 2^nd round is in the same spot, Bigwood, Newry on the 26^th of Febuary. Dont forget to sign up online before hand as there will be no entries after this. THANKS TO UBERDOG MAGAZINE FOR SUPPLYING IMAGES FOR THIS REPORT! 

Thanks for reading sport fans.