David Montgomery on his way to victory in the opening round of the Ulster Cyclocross Series (Photo thanks to David Gardiner)
By Brian Canty
National champion David Montgomery has stormed to victory in the opening round of this year’s Ulster Cyclocross League in Lurgan Park, Armagh.
The ChainReactionCycles man was too strong for runner-up Roger Aiken of Team ASEA, with Glenn Kinning of Kinning Cycles rounding out the podium for third.
Host club Apollo’s hard work was rewarded when a huge field of 400 signed on across all of the events, with Montgomery proving a class apart in the headline race.
Kinning and fourth-place Matthew Adair made the early running and held an early advantage, though the latter dropped back while Aiken and Montgomery went in pursuit of Kinning.
Advertisement
As the laps wore on it was Aiken and Montgomery who would press on out front.
Aiken attacked with a couple of laps to go but Montgomery reeled him in slowly before jumping clear to win by 11 seconds.
Montgomery thought he had a lap still to complete and baffled the crowd when he surged through the finish.
It was only when he came around to the finish again having completed an unnecessary extra lap that he realised he had already won.
Kinning managed to hang on for third, coming home 10 seconds ahead of Aiken.
Cameron McIntyre of Banbridge CC was the first junior home in seventh, with Adam Duff of XMTB McConvey Cycles around a minute further back.
Beth McCluskey prevailed in the women’s contest; overpowering the opposition for a comprehensive victory.
Related News
The Leinster-Unattached rider had 3½ minutes to spare over Claire Oakley (XMTB McConvey Cycles), with Michelle Geoghegan (Napoleon Games) next over the line.
Almost 20 signed on for the women’s race, a very healthy number for a season-opener.
Johnny Boyle of TC Racing won the B race after a great battle with Ray Dunlop (Lakeland CC) and Johnny Reid (Kinning Cycles), with just over one minute separating the top 10.
Sun, Oct 4th: Ulster Cyclocross Series
Round 1: Lurgan Park, Armagh
A Race
1 David Montgomery ChainReaction Cycles M23-39 38:04
2 Roger Aiken Team Asea M23-39 38:15
3 Glenn Kinning Kinning Cycles ESP 39:00
4 Matthew Adair Xmtb McConvey Cycles M23-39 39:10
5 Sean O Tuathail Bray Wheelers ESP 39:11
6 James Curry Banbridge CC JUN 39:29
7 Cameron McIntyre Banbridge CC JUN 39:49
8 Adam Duff Xmtb McConvey Cycles M23-39 40:45
9 Barry Kellett Dromara Cycling Club M23-39 40:45
10 Derek Finnegan Keevan CC M23-39 40:48
B Race
1 Johnnie Boyle TC Racing 36:35
2 Paul McCarthur North Down CC 36:36
3 Andrew Patton Kinning Cycles 37:07
4 Gareth Blair XMTB McConvey Cycles 37:09
5 Stephen Cunningham Shimna Wheelers 37:16
6 Nathan Mullan Dromara Cycling Club 37:32
7 Darren O'Toole Bray Wheelers 37:41
8 Garry Rainey East Tyrone Cycling Club 37:47
9 Mark Kendall Banbridge CC 37:50
10 John McLaughlin Cookstown Cycling Team 37:58
Women's Race
1 Beth McCluskey Leinster-Unattached
2 Claire Oakley (XMTB McConvey Cycles)
3 Michelle Geoghegan (Napoleon Games)
4 Martina Hawkins (Shimna Wheelers)
5 Kathryn Aiken (Banbridge CC)
6 Natalie Grieve (Sundrive TC)
7 Shenna McKiverigan (Powerhouse Sport)
8 Julie Rea (Phoenix CC)
9 Caroline Martinez (DID Electrical Dunboyne)
10 Molly McLarnon (North Down CC)
The full results, including all support races can be got by clicking here
Topics
