Rian McCrystal (Bear Group) may be just out of the U16 ranks and into the juniors, but he went about his business with confidence in taking on Curtis McKee (Spellman Dublin Port) in the openng round of the Ulster Cyclocross Series yesterday, Sunday.
This time last year, McKee went on a charge at the start of the cyclocross campaign that proved season-long; catapulting him into the green of Ireland, and with his new top tier status continuing into the road season.
And that is the challenge now facing McCrystal; a stand-out youth rider who looks ready to mix it up in the months ahead before taking his place with the Cannibal-Victorious U19 Development Team in 2026.
Yesterday at the Brian Kinning Memorial in Orangefield, Belfast, the Co Louth 16-year-old got the best start in the senior race. He then duked it out with McKee, with nothing to separate them for the longest time as they rode away from the rest of the field.
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However, after leading the race as a duo for the first four laps, of seven, McKee then began to assert himself; putting in a blistering fifth lap to put about 10 seconds between himself and new kid McCrystal.
Behind them, Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles), Daragh McCarter (Spellman Dublin Port) and host Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) were fighting it out for the final step on the podium alongside the two junior riders.
Once he got a gap over McCrystal, McKee continued to push on alone at the front, gradually adding to his advantage over the final couple of laps. He ran out the winner by 24 seconds from McCrystal after 51 minutes of racing, looking sharp for the long 'cross season ahead.
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Boyd won the battle for 3rd, and did so comfortably in the end, some 1:06 down on the flying McKee. McCarter was 4th, a further 1:13 back, and Kinning rounded out the top five on the day, some 2:47 down on the winner.
In the women's race, over five laps, there was very little between Jean Wilson (Epic MTB), Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles) and Darcey Harkness (Dan Morrissey Pissei) in the opening exchanges.
However, that soon changed, with Masters rider Wilson emerging strongest, as early as the second lap, and going into a lead she never relinquished.
She was clear by about 20 seconds by the end of that second lap, with Newell next best, chased by Harkness. And though the gap grew by more modest amounts over the following laps, it stretched out all the way to the line.
At the finish, after almost 45 minutes of racing, Wilson claimed victory by 40 seconds from Newell, with Harkness rounding out the podium, at 1:48. Ffion Dolan (TC Racing) was 4th, and leading junior on the day, at 2:48.
In the U16 races, the boys event was won by Eoin Davis (Bohermeen CC) from Josh McClune (Team Madigan) and James Cunningham (Team WORC). The girls race was claimed by Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) from Aoife Kellett (Dromara CC) and Vera Cork Davis (Bohermeen).
In the U14 category, Aoife Campbell (Square Wheels) won from Eve Harrison (Banbridge CC) and Amelia Martin (Belfast City BMX). Daragh Quigley (Foyle CC) won the boys race, from Billy Lord (Breffni Wheelers) and Jack McGahan (Square Wheels).
For full results of all races, please follow this link.
