Armstrong and Kellett shine in the muck
The last round of the Ulster Cyclo-Cross League was hosted by Square Wheels CC at the Palace Stables in Armagh. You know it’s going to be a difficult day when the last piece of advice sent out is to remember your studs (guess they are expecting quite a bit of running).
The course is notoriously challenging and that doesn’t matter if you are in the U6 races or the A race. Fiadh Kellett had the honor of being the first Dromara CC rider to line up at the start line for the U6 race. She produced a great performance showing her skills on and off the bike.
Aoife Kellett has been putting in great performances over the week to hold on to her 2nd place in the league. Today she was made to work very hard for it and dug deep to claim the 2nd spot on the podium.
James Armstrong has been producing some decent performances over the season but today he seemed to have the bit between his teeth. From the whistle, he took control of the race and left the others in his wake as he claimed the top spot on the podium. It was a commanding performance and would be our race of the day with ease.
The ladies’ race is always hotly contested this season and this race would be no different. Martina Hawkins would be our only representative. With a tough course that suited Martina, she would find herself off the pace on the first lap but work her way through the riders as the laps ticked by. When she reached the chequered flag Martina would claim 6th Overall and 3rd masters.
The A Race was set up to be slippy, muddy and wet. It certainly didn’t disappoint as the pit teams were in full flow washing bikes and looking after their riders. Barry Kellett has been in great form this season and produced another great race taking 6th place over all and second M40. Neil Armstrong, Brian Kellett, Derek Graham and Paul Hamilton had their own race to see who would make the team. It was certainly very close and Pauls tactic of working through the crowd would come up trumps again as he would finish 27th, Neil in 30th, Brian in 38th and Derek in 40th. The Pit team had new members this week with Andra Hamilton working with James Armstrong and Aoife Kellett to make sure all bikes were handed out seamlessly. The washing crew of Gibson, Darren and Richard kept the bikes spotless lap after lap. A great team effort all round.
The B Race would see Darren McCann, Richard Cowan, John McGuigan, and Gibson Chambers compete for the usual bragging rights. With everyone well warmed up from doing pits it and the course well and truly plowed up it was going to be more running than cycling. The A racers stepped into the pit team roles and when the start whistle went it was mud everywhere. In the end after much running Richard Cowan would take 9th closely followed by Gibson in 11th, Darren McCann in 15th and John McGuigan in 42nd.
Many thanks to Square Wheels CC for putting on a great event in challenging weather conditions. Huge thanks to everyone at Team Dromara CC for helping out right through the day. The next time out is the Ulster Championships on the 8th December.
