Roger Aiken on the way to adding another Ulster crown to his national title in Cookstown yesterday, Sunday (Photo and homepage photo by Vincent Bradley)
Roger Aiken of Banbridge CC has added another Ulster cyclocross crown to his long list of palmares both off road and on, taking the title race in Cookstown yesterday, Sunday.
The national champion took victory from a very much in-form Glen Kinning (East Antrim-Audi), with Ronan McLaughlin (An Post-Chainreaction) in third.
The race doubled as round 8 of the Ulster Cyclocross Series and while David Montgomery was 3rd over the line, he is a junior rider and so took the junior title but was not eligible for the elite bronze. That medal then passed to McLaughlin, who was 4th home.
Kinning has been in good form in recent weeks, making the podium in the Ulster series, but it was always going to be a huge task to deny Aiken the gold medal yesterday and so it came to pass.
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The eventual winner barreled out of the traps to be by far the quickest in the field over the first five of eight laps, only dropping his tempo a little on the last three laps when he knew the win was in the bag and wanted to avoid any mishaps.
On the opening lap, Aiken put in a time of 6mins 38secs, some 19 seconds quicker than junior rider Montgomery, with Kinning a further 9 seconds back and already 28 seconds down on the flying leader.
The splits for the next few laps did not get any prettier for those chasing Aiken; the leader putting another 59 seconds into Kinning over laps 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Over those four laps, Montogomery lost his early lead over Kinning and conceded a further 1:55 to the eventual winner, with Ronan McLaughlin by the end of lap 5 some 2:43 down in 4th.
Aiken's gap on Montgomery in 3rd and McLaughlin in 4th would continue to open over the final three laps, though Kinning did peg time back as Aiken eased back. The persistent Kinning took 6 seconds back on lap 6 and 3 seconds on the penultimate lap 7, before slowing a little himself on the final loop to lose another 3 seconds to Aiken.
In the end, the winner came home in a time of 46mins 29secs, with Kinning 1:22 back in second and Montgomery a further 1:59 down - 3:21 off Aiken. McLaughlin was just 13 seconds off junior off road specialist Montgomery by the finish.
So Aiken has ended the calendar year as he started it; lifting the Ulster title in his final outing of 2013 after taking the national title in the first flushes of the New Year 11 months ago.
In the intervening period he has had a terrific road season, being the best county rider in the An Post Rás by far and also picking up the climbers' classification and a stage win in the Tour of Ulster.
Those performances came despite combining his racing with a full time job and racing on the road very infrequently as he opted to concentrate on training for the Rás.
The women’s title yesterday went to Claire Oakley, with Lisa Millar in 2nd and emerging rider Shenna McKiverigan in 3rd. With the junior gold bagged by Montgomery, Rory Maguire took silver and Darnell Moore bronze.
Jason Henry took the vets’ title from Des Woods and Sam Craig, with the team prize going to Phoenix CC.
(Full results and photos continue below advertisement)
A strong ride by Glen Kinning saw him take the silver medal in wet and muddy conditions yesterday (Photo: Vincent Bradley)
David Montgomery underlined his status as an emerging young rider by taking 3rd on the day and lifting the junior title (Photo: Vincent Bradley)
Ronan McLaughlin has been a great addition to 'cross in recent months and his ride was good enough for bronze in the elite Ulster title race (Photo: Vincent Bradley)
Ulster Cyclocross Series Round 5
& Ulster Cyclocross Championships
Sunday, Dec 15th, Drum Manor Forest, Cookstown
(Promoted by Carn Wheelers)
| 1. Roger AIKEN | Banbridge CC |
46:29 |
| 2. Glenn KINNING | East Antrim - Audi |
47:51 |
| 3. David MONTGOMERY (J) | Unattached Ulster |
49:50 |
| 4. Ronan MCLAUGHLIN | An Post |
50:03 |
| 5. James MCMASTER | North Down CC |
50:28 |
| 6. Rory MAGUIRE (J) | Phoenix CC |
50:57 |
| 7. Barry KELLETT | Dromara Cycling Club |
51:07 |
| 8. Darnell MOORE (J) | Caldwell Cycles Omagh |
51:10 |
| 9. James CURRY (J) | Banbridge CC |
51:48 |
| 10. David HAMILTON | Curran Racing |
51:52 |
| 11. Graham BOYD | Xmtb McConvey Cycles |
52:00 |
| 12. Jason HENRY (V) | Unattached Ulster |
52:30 |
| 13. Des WOODS (V) | Newry Wheelers CC |
-1 lap |
| 14. Sam CRAIG (V | Curran Racing |
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-1 lap |
| 15. Peter MCCONVILLE (V) | Newry Wheelers CC |
-1 lap |
| 16. John BOGUES (SV) | Phoenix CC |
-1 lap |
| 17. Gary SHEILS (V) | Cuchulainn CC |
-1 lap |
| 18. Stephen WALSH | Carn Wheelers |
-1 lap |
| 19. Alex DONALD | Phoenix CC |
-1 lap |
| 20. Luke IRELAND | Phoenix CC |
-1 lap |
| 21. Bob TALBOT (V) | Harps CC |
-1 lap |
| 22. Joseph MCCRORY | Carn Wheelers |
-1 lap |
| 23. Drew MCKINLEY | Newry Wheelers CC |
-1 lap |
| 24. Raymond ROCKS | Island Wheelers |
-1 lap |
| 25. Johnny TAYLOR | Carn Wheelers |
-1 lap |
| 26. Daniel PURDY | Banbridge CC |
-1 lap |
| 27. Niall O'GORMAN (V) | Phoenix CC |
-1 lap |
| 28. Joe HENRY | Phoenix CC |
-1 lap |
| 29. Simon CURRY (V) | Banbridge CC |
-1 lap |
| 30. Stephen MOFFITT (V) | Phoenix CC |
-1 lap |
| 31. Ian COCHRANE (SV) | Banbridge CC |
-2 laps |
| 32. Paddy KELLY | Carn Wheelers |
Ulster Championship Result
Ulster Senior Men
1. Roger Aiken
2. Glenn Kinning
3. Ronan McLaughlin
Ulster Women
1. Claire Oakley
2. Lisa Millar
3. Shenna McKiverigan
Ulster Juniors
1. David Montgomery
2. Rory Maguire
3. Darnell Moore
Ulster Veterans
1. Jason Henry
2. Des Woods
3. Sam Craig
Ulster team Prize
Phoenix CC
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The cyclists’ travel agent, Neenan Travel are still taking bookings for the World Cyclo Cross Championships in Hoogerheide, Netherlands, January 31st- Feb 3rd, for what sounds like a great weekend away. Places are limited at this stage.
Details on www.neenan.travel/cycling
Or call Alan Neenan on 0868233791
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