Irish Enduro Champs and NPS XC roundup

Dromara CC’s XC riders were back in action at the weekend competing in round 4 of the Irish National Points Series held in Castlewellan Forest Park, the event organised by Banbridge Cycle Club. Although a locally held event a large turnout of approximately 200 riders travelled from all over Ireland to compete. Conditions were bone dry with a fast flowing technical course for all riders to get stuck into. 
In the under 6 fun race Fiadh Kellett, Hugh Hetherington, Alfie Booth and Conor Hetherington all competed in a tough two lap race, the ultimate prize a large bag of Haribos at the end, special mention to young two year old Conor Hetherington making his race debut on a finely tuned balance bike, one to watch for the future. 


Eoin Foley had a great run in the under 8’s only to have an unfortunate off on the first lap.   
In the Under 10’s race Aoife Kellett put in a sterling performance to finish 5^th. In the Under 12’s James Armstrong had a great ride to finish 6^th.

Cameron McCusker kept the flag flying in the Under 16 race with a very respectable 6^th place finish in a tough category.  
In Senior 4 Neil Armstrong took the only podium of the day finishing in 2^nd place.
In Senior 3 a large turnout of Dromara riders were present to make for a very interesting race indeed. Paul Hamilton was the first man home in 5^th place, Graham Smyth 7th , Gibson Chambers 15th, Aidy Booth 20^th, Brian Kellett 23^rd, Derek Graham 24^th and Mick Foley 30^th.
In the Senior 1 race of the day Barry Kellett just missed out on a podium place finishing 4^th behind some very stiff competition. All in all a great course, great event, great weather and a great days racing thoroughly enjoyed by all involved, next event is round 8 of the MTB club league which takes place on Tuesday 2^nd July at 7PM.  
Report – Aidy Booth

Meanwhile over at Ravensdale forest, the Vitus first tracks sponsored Irish Enduro championship race was taking place, by far becoming one of the biggest races on the Irish mountain bike calendar, the event drew the best riders came from all over Ireland to compete.

Dromara CC riders were out proving, yet again, that they can rise to these big occasions. Peter Davison confidently swapped stage results with some of the worlds best riders to take 4th in category in Elites.
Ben Wilson made his return to open racing. More usually found racing XC, Ben has only previously ridden one open enduro before and is the youngest in his category. However he proved that his results in our Club League enduro rounds were no fluke, and that he is well able to progress in this discipline as well, putting in a strong showing to take a comfortable 7th (barely broke sweat).

Bragging rights in the continuing “mates races”, went to Richie over Scot this weekend but not by much. Richie kept the power and pressure on in the masters A category to get another podium with a hard earned 3rd place. Scott and Peter Bradford were having a good race in masters B, but with a few riders with local knowledge keeping Scott of a podium with a 4th and Peter coming away with a steady 11th.

After last weeks poor display, team leader, Paul McLean managed to get himself back in the game with a couple of small tweaks to come home in 9th. All in all the riders went out and enjoyed a great weekend riding bikes..