East Antrim Cyclo Cross-Ferguson Grabs Victory

Lewis Ferguson (Team Curran) opened the Cyclo Cross season in style with victory at East Antrim Audi’s event on Saturday, held in the picturesque slopes above the coastal village of Ballygally. The course proved a challenge for all competitors as it featured technical off road sections plus a road climb. Weather conditions were ideal but heavy rain on Friday made sections of the course even more of a challenge. It was certainly a cyclo cross event with a difference, a sort of mini three peaks and all credit to organiser Danny Hylands for coming up with the idea. It was a pity that only 18 riders entered the cyclo cross race. Howver it was a busy weekend in Ulster Cycling with the the Ulster Womes's Association Training Day on Saturday with many of our mtb women in attendance. On top of that the Off Road Commission AGM was taking place in Cavan folllowed by the Awards Presentation which was also well attended,

The event was for both cyclo cross and mountain bike riders with the cyclo cross entry setting off one minute ahead of the mountain bikes, both sets of riders facing four laps of the energy sapping course.. Getting a superb start in the cyclo cross race was local Downhill ace Michael Cowan of Chain Reaction Cycles, though he was soon overtaken on the opening climb by a breakaway trio, Swords CC rider Dave O’Neill joined by Team Curran’s Lewis Ferguson and Banbridge CC’s former Junior Irish Champion Liam McGreevy.

For early leader Cowan the race was to be a short one when he was forced to retire at the halfway point of the opening lap after wrecking his front wheel on a rock. Ending the opening lap the leading trio had built up a strong lead, O’Neill, Ferguson and McGreevy each taking turns at the front. Behind the leaders the rest of the leaderboard began to take shape with Newry’s Drew McKinley holding fourth ahead of East Antrim’s Danny Hylands with cyclo cross newcomer Jason Henry a close sixth.

The race was somewhat marred on the opening lap when Ivan McConville (Newry Wheelers) suffered a heavy fall sustaining a neck injury. The Newry rider was taken to hospital by ambulance but his injury was not thought to be serious. Another rider to crash was Banbridge CC’s William Mulligan, though after recovering from what was a spectacular over the bars ejection, he was able remount, but was passed by Newry’s Kevin Lynch and Dromara CC’s Phil O’Neill. Lap two saw O’Neill attack his fellow leaders and at the half way point he had opened up a small gap over Ferguson and McGreevy. However as the lap ended, all three were back in nose to tail formation. Behind the leading trio McKinley was looking very strong in fourth inspite of the efforts of Hylands. Henry held an impressive sixth as Mulligan recovered from his crash to overtake Lynch and O’Neill to move up to seventh.

The battle for the lead became a three way affair on the third lap when McGreevy was forced to stop to try and fix brake problems, this allowing O’Neill and Ferguson to move clear. McGreevy rejoined the race and although he had lost chance of victory he was still in a strong third place. With the entire course able to be viewed from the top car park, spectators had a great vantage point to watch the battle for the lead as O’Neill and Ferguson fought to see who was the strongest each time the topography changed. The only change on the leaderboard on lap three was Wicklow rider Gordon Byrne moving up to eighth ahead of O’Neill and Lynch.

The last lap saw a continuation of the dual for the lead. Ferguson took the advantage after the halfway point on the section from the top car park down to the finish. The Team Curran rider, a former Ulster Cyclo Cross Champion, crossed the finish line to win the season opener, but what a superb ride from O’Neill, the Swords CC rider in a very good second. McGreevy overcame his mechanical problems to take third. Fourth finisher Drew McKinley was well pleased with his result especially as he had held off the attentions of course designer and race organiser Danny Hylands.

Sixth place was a superb result for Jason Henry on what was his cyclo cross debut. William Mulligan was seventh and the Banbridge ace is no doubt now feeling his age after his big off! Dromara CC’s Phil O’Neill just held off Team Worc’s Gordon Byrne on the last lap to secure eighth place as Newry’s Kevin Lynch finished a close tenth. With Banbridge CC’s William Forsythe taking 13th place Banbridge CC were the Team winners. Dromara CC's Val O'Neill took the Ladies award and everyone would like to thanks to thank Val for staying with the injured Ivan McConville until help arrived. In the Mountain Bike race Maryland Wheelers rider Niall Shannon lead all the way to win from Simon Teggart.

Following the race the Meeting House Inn was the venue for après race food and the prize giving. East Antrim Audi would like to thank all those who supported the event and to the members of St Johns and Ambulance Service who helped with the incident involving Ivan McConville. Also due a major thanks was commissaire Martin Lees, landowner Campbell Tweed. It was great to see Jimmy Lavery out taking pics, eyebows getting in the way as usual!

Report and Pics Andy Potts

Jimmy Lavery was also out with his camera snapping away. Jim's Pictures can be viewed below.