Hannah McClorey and Darragh McCarter both took wins at the Ulster Cyclocross Series in Portadown yesterday, just 24 hours after they were both on the top step of the podium at McCrystal Park in Co Louth.
While McCarter (Spellman Dublin Port) lost a little ground early on Saturday, he started much faster yesterday. That saw him go into a lead from the start and once he got his nose in front he proved unbeatable in very challenging conditions.
The Spellman Dublin Port rider was by far the fastest on the opening lap of six; going around that first circuit in a time of 9:27, some 17 seconds quicker than his nearest rival, Alan Bingham (Newry Wheelers).
Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) and Ronan O'Flynn (Orwell Wheelers) were just behind the leading duo, with Kinning eventually winning that battle for the final step on the podium.
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After McCarter went ahead early he doubled down on his effort and put another few seconds of daylight between himself and Bingham each lap during the Apollo Cycling Team promotion.
In the end McCarter won by 35 seconds from Bingham at the end of 49 minutes of racing. Kinning was 3rd, some 56 seconds down on the winner, and O'Flynn was 4th at 2:45.
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In the women's race, British junior McClorey (RFDA) was best again, as had been the case in Louth on Saturday.
Like McCarter in the men's race, she started stronger yesterday and took an early lead over Stephanie Roche (Scott Quanta Racing). However, McClorey came under pressure later in the five-lap race as Roche pressed her all the way.
McClorey took 12 seconds out of Roche on the opening lap and then added 17 seconds on the next lap, before Roche's fight back took shape.
On the third circuit the leader and chaser lapped on exactly the same time and while McClorey stole around two seconds on the penultimate lap, Roche was 21 seconds faster on the last lap.
McClorey hit the finish line for her second win in two days 10 seconds up on runner-up Roche, with Niamh Stephens (Liv Racing) rounding out the podium some 1:34 down on the winner.
