Already a winner against the elite men this year, Darnell Moore is looking to improve on his junior bronze of 12 months ago despite Sunday's national championships being his first at U23 level (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Darnell Moore is targeting another medal from the National Cyclocross Championships in Swords, north Dublin, this weekend after picking up bronze in the junior category last year.
The 18-year-old Omagh man was narrowly beaten by Rory Maguire (Phoenix CC) and James Curry (Banbridge CC) in 2014.
But having ridden really well against the elites in the Ulster Cyclocross Series in recent months, Moore believes he has a chance of silverware in what will be his first year in the U23 ranks.
Those aspirations of medalling, and perhaps going better than bronze, are well founded.
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In October he took his first win an elite race in the Ulster series in Bangor ahead of James Curry (Banbridge CC) and Matt Adair (XMTB McConvey).
And the following month he followed it with another win in Ormeau Park, Belfast, ahead of the XMTB McConvey duo of Graham Boyd and Adair.
On the basis of his off-road form in recent months, Moore seems to have progressed very rapidly as a rider. It will be interesting to see how his road season goes (Photo: Toby Watson)
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Moore also took a number of podium places in the series.
And while the series was weakened due to the absence this year of national elite champion Roger Aiken, now with Team ASEA, and the fact its strongest rider Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) did not ride all of the events, Moore’s performances still made him arguably the breakthrough rider of the campaign.
“The form is pretty decent, I can’t really complain about how I'm going compared to this time last year so fingers crossed,” he said.
Also a strong road and MTB rider, he said he had fond memories from last year’s championships and he prepares to do battle again in the biggest cyclocross race of the year.
Man of many talents: Moore taking stage 2 of the Tour of Omagh back in July 2013 while wearing the climbers' jersey.
“I was quite happy with bronze last year but gold or silver would've been nicer to start the year off with.
“It was a close race, the strongest man won. And I definitely plan to do better this time.
“Last year was my first real attempt at it. I know what to expect on Sunday.”
Moore will turn his attention to the road once the 'cross season is over but with his final year exams looming in the summer he knows the next few months will be a delicate balancing act.
“It’s been a challenge juggling both but it's only for a few more months. It’s my last year at school so it’ quite important.
“But when I get the exams out of the way I can fully concentrate on the bike and I'm looking forward to that.”
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