Harvey brothers take 1-2 at XC Winter Classic in Newtownards

*Dean Harvey of VC Glendale, in his national champion's livery, on his way to a very strong win in Newtownards yesterday (Photo: Toby Watson)*

Dean and Lee Harvey have taken a family 1-2 in the men's main event at the Cross-country XC Winter Classic in Newtownards, Co Down.

In the women's race Banbridge CC's Ruth McKee took a very clear victory after five laps, in just over one hour of racing. She claimed the win from Claire Henderson (Unattached) and Lyn Mutch of promoting club Ards CC.

McKee set out her stall early in the contest and pulled out a huge lead during the early exchanges in Whitespots Country Park, Conlig, Newtownards.

She built an unassailable lead after just the opening lap, putting minutes into her two rivals. From that point she continued to power all the way towards the finish and was two laps up on Henderson and Mutch by the time she took the chequered flag.

The main men's race was a closer affair, though the destination of the victory never looked in doubt. Dean Harvey, one of the leading juniors in Ireland on the road this year, was in great form and shot into an early lead, sporting his MTB national champion's kit.

For just over half the race - the first five laps of nine - he built a lead of his brother Lee (VC Glendale), who was in a much closer battle for 2nd and 3rd with Gareth McKee of Banbridge CC. By the end of the 5th lap, Dean Harvey had built a gap of about 1:30 on is brother, with McKee in 3rd.

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While Lee Harvey had stretched his advantage on McKee to over a minute on the opening three laps, Banbridge rider McKee halved that gap over the next couple of circuits.

It meant heading in the final four laps that Dean Harvey looked comfortable for the victory alone out front, while Lee Harvey and McKee were locked into a close battle to settle the order of the final two steps on the podium.

Over laps 5, 6 and 7 McKee came back at Lee Harvey very strongly, catching him briefly. However, Harvey then fought back and just held off McKee at the finish; the duo finishing 2nd and 3rd on the same time after just over an hour of racing.

In the end, Dean Harvey was only 27 seconds up on Lee Harvey and McKee; the winner having eased off the throttle in the latter stages and also having lost some of his lead due to the intense battle underway between the two chasers.