CX Round 8 - Falls Park, Belfast
First man away in the green and black today was young Riley Gibson in the under 8’s race. The young racer as usual put in a fantasic effort over the 3 laps for a fine finish. In the under 10’s race brothers Frank and Tom Russell completed 4 laps of the same course, in fine style as usual the boys finished well in a tough race.
Next up it was the turn of the girls, Sarah Elder was again on the start line in the under 14’s race. The young lady has been dominant in her class this year, on the podium at every race and her win at Sundays race takes her total 1st place finishes to 6 this year. Her older sister this time out was flying solo, Emma Elder was the only under 16 female on the start line. Taking to the course with the boys and putting in an effort that had the lads looking over their shoulders at the young racer. Emma has effectively ended the league as a contest by securing a win at almost every round.
Next to the dew covered grass in Falls park was the men in the MTB support race. Sean Bradley was again in attendance and again secured another win for the club. Sean has really stamped his authority on the league in the last few rounds this being win number 4 in as many weeks, that coupled with a strong start see’s him well clear at the top of the overall league. This series of wins means all the momentum is with the young contender in the run up to the championships in early December.
The attention was now turned to cyclocross racing. In the B race the usual suspects were out for another days punishment, Eunan McAleese, Carl McWilliams, Stephen Halferty and Nigel Gibson were part of a 62 man race over an exciting 5 lap race. Eunan suffered a mechanical on lap 3 and was forced to retire early. The rest of the boys all completed the race strong finishing well within the field.
In the A race the club had its usual representatives to make sure the wet grass was well and truly cut up under the turn of the bicycle tyre. A fearsome four comprising Martin Bradley, Shane Elder, Barry Russell and Johnny Taylor. As in the B race the club lost a man to a mechanical, this time the misfortune fell on Martin who retired on lap 4. The rest battled on finishing the race strongly in another ferociously fast paced encounter.
As usual the hospitality was not found wanting after a hard days racing with hot showers and sustenance available for everyone. Many thanks again to VC Glendale for putting on a great event and to Belfast City Council for making the park available. No racing until the 14th of December when Carn Wheelers will take on the running of the Ulster Championship at Drum Manor park for the second year in a row, see you all there!
