Ferguson wins Woodburn tester!
 

Without doubt the toughest round of the Cyclo Cross series so far this season! Holywood rider Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB) notched up his hat trick of wins with victory in Team Madigan's weather ravaged cyclo cross event at Woodburn Forest last Sunday 19/11/06. For once the weather forecast was right, gusting winds accompanied by heavy rain and sleet. It should be said that this Woodburn course was not the perfect venue for a cyclo cross event, however in the week leading up to the race the organisers had to make a number of changes due to pressure from various governing bodies.  A week of heavy rain preceding the event made conditions during racing prove tortuous.  The riders had to contend with driving wind and rain throughout the race, as well as the mud filled forest sections as the ground became waterlogged.

The main Senior event took place over five laps of a 1.5 mile circuit, a mixture of fire road and forest tracks, and drew a fine entry of 36 riders for the main race. Missing from the usual entry was Ali McSorley and a number of the Newry riders, all away racing in Belgian Cyclo Cross events over the weekend. Riding a cyclo cross bike for the first time, Glen Kinning led the pack into the woods for the first time, the Castlereagh CC rider having been in fine form in recent weeks while using his mountain bike. As the field exited the start loop, Kinning still held the lead with Lewis Ferguson a close second. Banbridge CC teenager Sean Downey, in only his second outing of the cyclo cross season, was in third, as Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers) held fourth. Making a very welcome return to Off Road Cycling was Ards CC’s Michael Mulvenna, he held fifth just ahead of Barry Monaghan (Newry Wheelers), Liam McGreevy (Banbridge CC), Jon Runciman (Banbridge CC) and Junior McAuley (ApolloCT). At this stage, Ray Brownfield retired, the North Down rider not happy with the nature of the course.

Ferguson moved into the lead on lap two, leaving Kinning to get to grips with his new bike in the deep mud. Downey looked safe in third ahead of McConville. McGreevy and Monaghan had begun a great battle for fifth, as Danny Hylands (East Antrim) and William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) moved into the top ten ahead of the dualing McAuley and Runciman.

The last few laps saw Ferguson maintain a safe advantage over Kinning, and he crossed the finish line to take his third win in a row, with almost a minute to spare. For Kinning, second was a great result, considering he was having his first outing on a cyclo cross bike in what was a baptism of mud. Sean Downey was well pleased with third and is surely the leading contender for both the Ulster and Irish Junior Cyclo Cross titles. Peter McConville was fourth and leading Vet, as his fellow Newry rider Barry Monaghan got the better of Liam McGreevy in the closing stages to snatch fifth. Young McGreevy took the MTB award, however he is appealing for the lend of a cyclo cross bike for the Ulster and Irish Junior Championships. Danny Hylands looked at home in the mud as he finished on his own in seventh. Another rider who revelled in the conditions was William Mulligan, the runner up in the Vets class finishing in eighth, one place ahead of fellow Bann rider Paul Anderson. The top ten was completed by Matt Blaney (North Down) another rider who has made a welcome return over the past few weeks.

Junior McAuley chose to run most of the race and was rewarded with 11th place and the 3rd Cat award. Fred McSorely and Jon Runciman had a great scrap for third in the Vets class, Fred winning the battle this time, crossing the line in 12th 30 seconds up on Jon. Michael Mulvenna was the leading 2nd Cat in 15th overall. Yet another rider to have returned to the Sport is Dwayne McCreadie (North Down), he took a fine 15th at Woodburn, next year both he and Matt Blaney will be riding in the Trans Rockies MTB event in Canada!

The Ladies race was won by Joanne McCallum (XMTB) with Harriet Mayne (Banbridge CC) in second. Banbridge rider Nicola Oldham at one stage was challenging for second, however due to chain problems, and a mangled rear mech, she was forced to settle for third.

Well done to all the Youth riders who rode in their events around a tricky course without a moan to be heard! In the U-8 race Banbridge CC’s John Buller won for the second week running as his sister Shannon just lost out in a sprint to the line for second with fellow Bann rider Richard Baird. Shenna McKiverigan (Banbridge CC) was a close fourth. Ty Mackness gave Team Madigan a popular win with his victory in the U-10 race. In a great dual for second, Banbridge rider Joseph Baird piped Dromara CC’s Zak Hanna, as Banbridge girl Rachel Mayne overcame a splat of mud in her eye to take fourth. Dan Runciman beat fellow Banbridge rider Dan Runciman to take the U-12 race with XMTB’s Aimee Ogilby third. Banbridge CC took another win with Matt Adair’s victory in the U-14 race, with Christy Brown winning the U-16 race for XMTB.