Glenn Kinning has been one of the strongest on the cyclocross scene this winter, and while conceding the race for the national title in two weeks will likely be for third place, he believes the smallest of slip by favourites Robin Seymour or Roger Aiken could prove decisive (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Gerard Cromwell
Having finished second to multiple national champion Robin Seymour at Sunday’s River Valley round of the High5 North Dublin Cyclo-cross League, East Antrim’s Glenn Kinning was happy he’d made the long journey down from Belfast.
“I just wanted to burn the Christmas dinners off more than anything and see how the legs were for the championships, give myself an idea,” he said.
“It’s different racing down here too. Tim O’Regan comes up north to race but some guys don’t make the journey so today was a good opportunity to come down and see how I’m going.”
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Although distanced by Seymour early on, Kinning kept riding aggressively and finished well clear of third placed Sean O’Tuathail of Bray on the technical Swords course.
“I didn’t see much of Robin,” Kinning admitted.
“He got a gap on the second or third lap and I was racing with Evan (Ryan), Sean and Tim. I got a gap on them and just worked on that.
“I didn’t worry about Robin. He was gone. The course was a proper cross course in comparison with some of the other ones I’ve ridden in the north. It was good and I’m happy enough with my form.
“I’ve a wee bit more to do but I’ve another two weeks to go so hopefully I’ll be up another wee level for the championships.”
Like the rest of the field, Kinning admits he will likely be racing for bronze when the title race kicks off on his home patch in January.
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“I’ve done a few laps secret training on the course,” he smiled.
“It’s not that far away from the house so I can ride over and do an hour or two on it. As a northerner, I’d like to see Roger winning but it’s close between the two of them.
“If one of them makes a mistake it’s all to play for. It would have been nice if the two of them had been here today to see what happened but the race for third will be interesting.
“Today (Sunday) there were four or five of us within 30 seconds. If you make a mistake and drop it you lose a lot of places more so than time so it’s very important to ride clean, ride all the sections well. It should be a good battle for third but if one of them make a mistake too it could be interesting.”
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Although he is a consistent presence on the cyclo-cross scene, family commitments mean Kinning is unsure as to whether he will ride on the road next year.
“It’s hard to get the three and four hour spins in with the family so it’s one thing at a time. I’ll ride the nationals and then go out with the boys and see if I’m getting a kicking or giving them a kicking.
“The club is going well at the moment. Jack Wilson was with us a few years ago and has moved on to An Post now. We have a few good young second and third cats coming through and Gary Cranston is going well too. He broke his collarbone a few weeks ago but he’s going well now.
“I’ve no plans. I’d like to do the Tour of the North at Easter but it was cancelled last year so it’s a bit demoralising if you plan something. At the moment, the plan is there is no plan.”
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