Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles) began his 2025-26 cyclocross season in Derry on Sunday and immediately showed his form with a dominant win the senior men's race in muddy conditions. He was nearly two minutes clear of the best of the rest after an hour of racing.
In the senior women's race, first-year junior Emer Heverin (All human-VeloRevolution) has impressed in recent weeks and she won again in Derry. However, this time she was pushed all the way to the line in the third round of the Ulster Cyclocross Series.
Moore got out of the traps fastest in the men's race and put significant time into his rivals on every lap, finishing the race a convincing victor and looking good for the challenges to come in the weeks ahead.
He topped the podium, by 1:51 from Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles), the winner two weeks ago at Palace Demesne, Armagh, and Barry Kellett (Dromara CC), who was 4:15 down.
Advertisement
Moore put 17 seconds in Boyd and 21 seconds into Kellett on the opening lap, and that was the direction of traffic for the remainder of the contest. With four laps completed, of the seven-lap race in St Columb's Park, Derry - promoted by Foyle CC - Moore had just over one minute in hand.
Though victory was well and truely secured at that point, barring major incident, Moore continued to work hard all the way to the line and had almost doubled his advantage over Boyd by the chequered flag.
Related News
In the women's race, Heverin saw off Elena Wallce (Harps CC) by 10 seconds after four laps of racing. And though that winning margin was small, the race was even closer until the very end.
Wallace matched Heverin on the opening two laps and then pulled away from the teenager - but just a few seconds - on the third lap. Both found an extra gear on the final lap - recording their fastest times - as the duked it out for the win.
However, Heverin finally got the upper hand on that final lap; closing the gap to Wallace and and then putting another 10 seconds into her to win. Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles) completed the podium, some 2:12 down on the winner.
The men's B race was won by Seán Maguire (VC Glendale), after four laps of racing, by 19 seconds from Tom Doherty (Four Masters CC). Ciaran O'Hara of the host club rounded out the podium at 47 seconds.
The U16 boys race was won by Josh McClune, the Team Madigan rider who has just secured a place on the British Cycling 'national school of racing' - for second-year U16s. He was 1:32 up on Rory McCool (Square Wheels), with Kealan Doherty (Foyle CC) 3rd at 2:38.
Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers), who looks like she is a promising talent, won the U16 girls race 1:29 up on Aoife Craig (VC Glendale), with Aoife Kellett (Dromara CC) in 3rd place.
In the U14 boys race, Daragh Quigley scored a victory for host club Foyle CC over Nathan Baker (Breffni Wheelers) and Oisin McKenna (Omagh Wheelers CC).
- For full results of all races, please follow this link
