It was a very busy weekend for Ulster youth riders with racing taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The first event was a criterium in the Moy promoted by Square Wheeles. The U16 riders joined the A4 riders for a combined race which saw Seth Dunwoody and Samuel Coleman, both from Shelbourne/Orchard CC , attack early in the race and build up a considerable lead over the rest of the field, even lapping some of the other riders before Sam took the win closely followed by Seth.
On Saturday, several Ulster riders took part in the Duane Delaney Memorial at the Eamonn Ceannt Track in Dublin, including some who were competing at a track competition of this nature for the first time. The event started with a flying 200 , using this time the riders were placed in various groups. This event was followed by a scratch race and the final race was the 500m TT.
All Ulster riders excelled and gained valuable experience in different surroundings with different levels of experienced riders. Curtis Neill (Carn Wheelers) won the overall in his category and Adam Rafferty (Island Wheelers) took third in the same category and many of the others riders gaining personal bests in their respective races.
On Sunday, racing took place at Athy, Co. Kildare. All races were well supported with riders coming from all over Ireland for what was the first open youth race in the south since restrictions eased.
The Ulster riders excelled in all races with Aoife Craig (VC Glendale) and Aliyah Rafferty (Island Wheelers) taking the top stepin the under 12 and under 14 races. Aoibhinn Sharkey (VC Glendale) took third place in the under 14 event.
Karl Rockett (Ard CC) just missed out on the win in the under 14 race, taking second place ahead of Curtis McKee (VC Glendale) with Conor Murphy (Restrevor MTB) in fifth.
Lucy Brown (Phoenix CC) won the under 16 girls race, narrowly beating Aine Doherty (VC Glendale) in a two-up sprint finish.
Ulster also took the top two places in the under 16 boys race through Travis Harkness (VC Glendale) with the top step and Oisin Ferrity (Island Wheelers). This is a very fast/competitive category and will provide some excellent racing over the season to come.
Throughout the peformances on the day, it was clear that Ulster riders have benefitted from the recent racing experience afforded to them through the CUYA series.
The remaining events left in the CUYA are; Round 5 – Wednesday 16th June (Kirkistown/Ards CC), Round 6 – Tuesday 22nd June (Nutts Corner), Round 7 – Wednesday 30th June ( Moneymore Raceway). Please visit the Cycling Ulster Youth Academy on Facebook for up to date information on these events.
