Round 7 Cyclo Cross – Larne

Report by barryvankellett

Report by John McGuigan

Sunday’s race was setup perfect for me to finally produce a performance worthy of my talents. A fast, non-technical course on a good day with no real need for mud tyres, this is what I was waiting for all series. I would no longer be handicapped by my lack of skills on tricky singletrack and rooty sections that suited the MTBers. I’ve always maintained that these sections have cost me dearly. Now I could race rather than just survive, and not a briar bush in sight !

As we lined up for the start, I didn’t eye up the usual suspects that ride with me at the back of the field, but those that were consistently finishing in the top half of the field. I was determined that today I would get on a good wheel and stick with it, hopefully to get a respectable position by the end of the race.

How quickly dreams can be dashed ! The whistle blew and the sprint for the first corner saw me drift further and further back. After a few hundred yards I thought I was last, but a quick look around and there were 3 riders behind, not much consolation. The first lap was fast and furious, with a few riders taking spills and a lot of jostling for position entering the corners. I managed to pass quite a few riders during this lap, unfortunately some were able to re-pass me, so at the end of the first lap I maybe only made up 4 or 5 positions. For the next lap I had a ding dong battle with two North Down riders, but I now think they were only playing with me, as at the start of the third lap they disappeared in a hurry never to be seen again.

At the end of the race I was in my usual position, near the bottom of the pack. While I managed to beat some riders who might normally have finished a couple of minutes or more in front of me, other riders that I have beaten in the past were miles ahead. What I learned on Sunday is that for every rider that has an advantage over me on a technical course, there are equally as many riders that will gain an advantage on me in a fast open course. There is a lot of work to be done on both skills and fitness if I am ever going to move up the field.

This was probably the hardest race of the year in that there was no sections for recovery, and the pace was fast throughout. Despite the disappointment of not being able to move up the field a little, and the fact that I was total shattered at the end, it was still very enjoyable. And for a second race in a row, I didnt come a cropper.

Highlights of the day were seeing Barry lead the field with National Champion Roger Aiken and pro Ronan McLaughin hanging on ( at least for the first half lap ) Also, the Wilson’s had a great day out with Diane winning the ladies MTB, Ben just missing out in the sprint for the win but claiming 2nd place in the U12’s, Kelly also taking 2nd in the girls race, and Brian…well it was a good day for most of the Wilson’s. There were a few other Dromara underage riders but not sure how they got on, but good to see the Dromara jerseys out competing.

In The CX B race John Shanks had his usual powerful race to claim 10th, but hotly challanged by Richard Cowan who seems to have mastered CX now ( proper equipment and tyres was always going to help ). Bart in is first attempt at CX nipped past me on the last lap and despite a tumble will be back for more I’m sure. Martin will be looking forward to more technical courses so he can utilize his skills. Lisa finished 3rd in the ladies race only a few seconds behind arch rival Gill Smith.

So there you have it, this was meant to be the day my personal report would be positive and I could write with pride about my CX ability, but that will have to wait for another few weeks ( at least )