Great Days Racing at Windmill Wood for the Island Wheelers

Island Wheelers brought in 2013 with style with lots of muddy racing around the new venue at Windmill Wood in Dungannon.  The race, sponsored by Nugent Trailers, was the clubs first time hosting a cyclo-cross race, but all the hard work preparing the park paid off as riders from as far afield as Dublin turned up to race.  On the day, there were a number of races to cater for all ages and levels including a race for the under 6s, under 8s, under 10s, under 12s, under 14s, under 16s, mountain bike support male & female, and the main cyclo-cross race.

The main attraction, the cyclo-cross race, was dominated from the start by one man, Roger Aiken (Banbridge CC).  Roger took the lead on the first lap, and was unstoppable.   Second place went to Glenn Kinning (East Antrim – Audi), with Seán Ó Tuathail (Bray Wheelers) in third.  Cathal McGuigan was the only man representing the Island Wheelers in the race, and he done a sterling job finishing mid pack in what was only his third time on a cyclo-cross bike.

In the other races, the Island Wheelers were extremely well represented.  Paul Daly and Sean Scullion just missed out on the podium in the mountain bike support race.  However, it was in the under 14 race that the Island Wheelers dominated with Conor Boyle taking an excellent win, closely followed by fellow Island Wheeler Nathan Weir in third.  David Hayes, and James McCourt also put in solid performances in this race.   The Rafferty family also did the Island Wheelers proud with Alivah, Adam, and Darren all finishing second in their respected age group, and perhaps more importantly, they had a lot of fun in doing so.

 

 

 All in all, Windmill Wood turned out to be a fantastic venue, as there was a large green area which was perfect for the youth races, and spectators.  And for the senior race, who also used this green area before heading into the technical forest sections which was broken up by tarmac paths.  Perhaps, one of the most memorable features of the race was taking the competitors through the old tower.  The course had been bone dry up to Saturday morning but on Saturday night the rain came and turned sections of the course into thick mud.  The mud was sore on some bikes but the riders charged off enthusiastically on a course that kept the rider thinking.  The course was well received and it is hoped that Island Wheelers will make this event a regular feature in the Ulster cyclo-cross series next winter.

The club would like send a huge thank you for everyone involved in making the race possible; the solo event sponsor Nugent Trailers who supported the race, without this, the race may never have got the go ahead.  To the race commissaire, Martin Grimley who not only was great help in organising the race, but also for providing the race report, and he somehow even found time to race himself. Also, to all the competitors, spectators, Order of Malta, all those who helped organise and marshal from the Island Wheelers CC, Carn Wheelers for lend of some equipment, Dungannon Council for their backing and help, Ulster Cycling, Ulster Cyclo Cross… the list is endless, you all know who you are and all came together to provide a great event.

Photos
IWCC FlickR Page – here
IWCC Facebook Page – here
Martin Grimley (FlickR) – here
David McVeigh (FlickR) – here
Original Report by Martin Grimley here

Results 

Full results (almost) here

CX Seniors
1. Roger Aiken
2. Glenn Kinning
3. Sean O’Tauthail

Unplaced Veteran – Peter McConville
Unplaced Supervet – Johnny McCabe

CX Senior female
1. Lisa Millar

MTB males
1. Ryan Walsh
2. Darnell Moore
3. Brian Wilson

MTB females
1. Diane Wilson
2. Kathryn Bell

Under 16s
1. Aaron Swan
2. Calvin Moore
3. Sean Bradley

Under 14s boys
1. Conor Boyle
2. Will Hamilton
3. Nathan Weir

Under 14s girls
1. Kathryn Doyle
2. Molly McLarnon
3. Niamh Skelly

Under 12s boys
1. Ben Wilson
2. Matt Smyth
3. Niall Skelly

Under 12s girls
1. Ellie Kelso
2. Kerry Beattie

Under 10s boys
1. Shea O’Kane
2. Darren Rafferty
3. Fraser Harrower

Under 10s girls
1. Sarah Wilson
2. Ellie Curry
3. Eimear Tohill

Under 8s boys
1. Anton Beattie
2. Adam Rafferty
3. Odhran Hughes

Under 8s girls
1. Moya O’Kane
2. Eimear Skelly
3. Lauren Nugent

Under 6s fun
1. Alex Harrower
2. Alivah Rafferty
3. Calum Hepburn