A mixture of under 16, junior and elite riders represented Ulster at the third round of the British Cyclo-cross National Trophy Series in Falkirk, Scotland on the 23/24 October. The race provided an excellent opportunity for the riders to compete at a high level event with some strong performances and good results achieved in the various categories.
Please see comments and results for each rider below. Results can be found here.
Lee Harvey (Elite Men) 28/64
I started my race steady and rode my own pace and picked through riders as the race went on and people got tired. I was happy to get my best result of the year in the UK big thanks to cycling Ulster for taking us and the helpers for looking after us all weekend.
Travis Harkness (Junior Men) 22/51
After grabbing some UCI points last week I was gridded on the front row, the race started very well and I was second through the first corner and the rest of the start loop. At the beginning of the first lap I was in 6th and in the front group, then around a quarter of the way through the first lap my chain snapped which meant I had to run until the pits, dropping me down to the back of the race. After changing bikes I found my rhythm again and started picking riders of for the rest of the race. Happy to get 22nd considering the circumstances, big thank you to Cycling Ulster for the opportunity and experience and to everyone who helped over the weekend.
Dean Harvey (Elite Men) 29/64
I tried to make the most of my good gridding on the front row, but ended up starting too fast and quickly went backwards. I tried my best to get into a rhythm, and started to come back a bit towards the end of the race, but it was to late to do anything. A disappointing race, but a good weekend. Thanks to all the staff and cycling Ulster for the opportunity and support.
Curtis Neill (Junior Men) 23/51
This was only my second British Championship level CX race and at this stage it’s all valuable experience for me. I had a great starting position for the race today after scoring UCI points last weekend, however after a rider unclipped in front of me off the start I ended up further back than I had hoped on the first lap. I managed to make up a few places but a crash and getting caught behind other riders crashes meant I dropped a few places towards the end although 23rd was my best result to date. A big thanks to Cycling Ulster for the opportunity and to all the helpers for their support.
Aine Doherty (Under 16 girl) 8/41
It was a tough race at Falkirk on a challenging course, I was gridded front row and tried to use it to my advantage getting myself up into the top 5. I was able to stay there for majority of the race but towards the end I made a few slight mistakes that costed me to drop to 8th. It was a great experience and I want to thank Cycling Ulster for the opportunity and all the support throughout the weekend.
Zoe Lindsay (Under 16 girl) 40/41
This weekend I was selected for the Cycling Ulster team for the the Falkirk CX.I was gridded near the back as this was my first ever British CX race. It was a step up from the races at home with there being a lot more girls. My race result was not the result I wanted. But overall the race was a great experience. Thanks to Cycling Ulster for selecting me and to all the helpers over the weekend.
Darcey Harkness (Elite Women) 12/25
Technical racing around a tough course at Falkirk. Being gridded front row I got a good start. A pretty solid race in the end and happy to come in 12th elite (8th U23). Thanks to Cycling Ulster and the staff for their support all weekend.
Team Manager: Graham Boyd
Support Staff: Brendan Doherty, Philip Harkness, Steven Lindsay, Philip Neill
