Roger Aiken looks like a very happy camper despite being caked in mud after winning today's sixth round of the Ulster cyclo-cross series in Craigavon (Picture courtesy of David McVeigh)
By Brian Canty
Roger Aiken took his first win of this year’s Ulster cyclocross season on Sunday, annihilating the field in the absence of the indomitable Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) who travelled south to race in Leinster.
The Team ASEA escaped on the first lap in the Dromara CC-promoted event in Craigavon, Armagh, and wasn’t seen again before the finish.
Barry Kellett of the host club continued his very good run of high placings by taking second, albeit around a minute and a half down.
Graham Boyd (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) rounded out the podium for third but he was a whopping four and a half minutes further back.
Advertisement
Only 13 of the 50 starters finished on the same lap, with around 20 riders lapped and five listed as DNF.
Credit must be given to Aiken for how he applied himself and as he said afterwards, he “picked up the pieces” in the absence of Kinning.
“He went to Tymon Park so it was up to me to force it,” said the winner.
“It was the same conditions as last week; very muddy and a lot of hills again on a tough course.”
It wasn’t raining for the event, unlike last week.
But from the rain that fell prior to the race, it was very wet and made life extremely tough, hence the high attrition rate.
Aiken took the lead on the first lap and increased the gap on Kellett as each of the eight the laps ticked down.
While the winner was happy to finally get one under his belt, he said it wasn’t the same without the series’ strongest man.
“He’s been very strong, particularly last week in the mud,” hailed Aiken of Kinning.
Related News
“He put a couple of minutes into me and only Robin Seymour has done that to me.”
The women’s race was won by Claire Oakley of (Xmtb McConvey Cycles).
She had 20 seconds to spare on Kathryn Aiken (Banbridge CC) with Alwynne Shannon (Newry Wheelers CC) taking third around a minute further back.
Just 12 riders finished this race but most of the big hitters were present and correct, meaning the series is looking like it will go right down to the wire.
Ben Cady of Velo Café Magasin was victorious in the ‘B’ race held over five laps, while Patrick Oliver (Melbourne Cycling League) and Bob Talbot (Harps CC) were next.
Round 6, Ulster Cyclocross Series
Sun, Nov 15th: Craigavon, Co Armagh
Promoted by Dromara CC, 8 laps
1 Roger Aiken (Team ASEA) 1:04:26
2 Barry Kellett (Dromara CC) 1:06:09
3 Graham Boyd (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) 1:10:42
4 Brendan Doherty (VC Glendale) 1:11:11
5 Jason Henry (Unattached Ulster) 1:11:55
6 James Curry (Banbridge CC) 1:11:57
7 Stephen Walsh (Carn Wheelers) 1:12:05
8 Alex Donald (Phoenix CC) 1:12:24
9 Des Woods (Newry Wheelers) 1:12:39
10 Craig Rea (Phoenix CC)
Women’s Race, 5 laps
1 Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles)
2 Kathryn Aiken (Banbridge CC)
3 Alwynne Shannon (Newry Wheelers CC)
4 Shauna McFadden (N/A)
5 Mairead McRory (Carn Wheelers)
6 Martina Hawins (Shimna Wheelers)
7 Emma Convey (DTC Orwell Wheelers)
8 Shannon Buller (Banbridge CC)
9 Ruth Aiken (Banbridge CC)
10 Caroline Martinez (DID Electrical Ladies Team)
B Race, 5 laps
1 Ben Cady (Xmtb McConvey Cycles)
2 Patrick Oliver (Melbourne Cycling league)
3 Bob Talbot (Harps CC)
4 Glenn Dunwoody (Shelbourne Motors/Orchard Wheelers)
5 Alan Hall (Team Vision Racing)
6 Mark McCann (Harps CC)
7 Glyn O’Brien (ChainReaction Cycles)
8 Michael McMullan (North Down CC)
9 Ian Cochrane (Banbridge CC)
10 Colin Deane (Ballymena RC)
For the full results, click here
Topics
