Roger Aiken, above, goes to the line as one of the favourites to take another national cyclocross title but the defending champion David Montgomery, and a host of others, also have their sights set on gold (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
David Montgomery is the favourite to win back-to-back national cyclocross titles tomorrow, Sunday, when he heads the grid for the showpiece event of the year in Co Down.
The Chainreactioncycles rider is the one they must all beat based on his form and his exposure to the highest level of competition this season.
He has been racing in Belgium in recent months in the hope it will sharpen him for this weekend and a cut off the World Championships later in the month.
He was perhaps a surprise winner - to some - last year but he’ll know that win came with an asterisk as neither Robin Seymour nor Roger Aiken were present.
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Monty will be keen to put that record straight around the Tollymore Forest Park but will have to fend off some ferocious competition.
Aiken (Team ASEA) and Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) are going to be there or thereabouts and if all are on song those three may well make up the podium.
But in cyclocross nothing is certain and next most likely to break into the top three are Paul O’Reilly (UCD CC) and Sean O’Tuathail (Bray Wheelers).
Graham Boyd (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) is an outside bet for the podium, as is last year’s junior winner James Curry (Banbridge CC).
In the junior race David Conroy (Scott Bikes-Eurocycles.com) will want to improve on the silver he won last year behind Curry.
But he’ll need to beat Cameron McIntyre, who has switched from Banbridge CC to NRPT-Magnet.ie of late.
Adam Duff (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) is one rider, among others, who also deserves respect.
The women’s race could prove to be the race of the day with 25 riders down to start, though defending champion Fran Meehan is not one of them.
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The Aquablue woman is committed to other disciplines for the time being.
Runner-up last year was US-based Maria Larkin (Chicago Cuttin’ Crew) and she is back again and will hope to take the title.
Beth McCluskey (Unattached Leinster) has overcome many hurdles just to be on the start-line and she’ll get massive support tomorrow as she bids for a first ‘cross title as will Leinster champion Maeve O'Grady.
Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) was third last year and has every right to be confident of another medal, though might rising star Emily Birchall (NRPT-Magnet.ie) pull off a massive surprise?
Alwynne Shannon (Newry Wheelers) is the Ulster champion and is one who might trouble the podium.
The Masters 40 event has a massive field but the standout name is 18-time elite winner Robin Seymour (Team Worc) who has opted to ride in this category – a separate race to the elites - for the first time.
It eventually had to happen that the Wicklow man would depart the elite scene but he’ll face a hugely competitive field, one that won’t be much easier at the sharp end that the category he mastered for so many years.
Anthony Doyle (Strata3-VeloRevolution), Jason Henry (Unattached Ulster), Colm McGarvey (EPIC MTB -Expert Cycles) and Colm McGarvey are the biggest threats here.
The Masters 50 event is another jam-packed field where Des Woods (Newry Wheelers) must be seen as the man to beat.
He’s the reigning Ulster champion and was runner-up last year to Jason Henry (Unattached Ulster) so will be keen to go one better.
Some of those expected to go closest are John Bogues Phoenix CC, his clubmate Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers CC), Aiden McDonald (Cuchulainn CC) and David Lawless Team WORC.
The espoir race, which is incorporated in the elite event, should see Montgomery take the title and perhaps double up as he did last year.
But Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles Omagh) and Sean Feeney (Scott-Eurocycles.com) won’t give up without a real fight, while Curry of Banbridge CC will also look to get amongst the medals and will very likely do so.
The event takes place tomorrow, Sunday, January 10th. For more information, including race schedule and times, please follow this link.
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