Last Sunday's winner of the fifth round of the Ulster cyclocross league Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) gets a congratulatory hand-shake from runner-up Roger Aiken of Team ASEA. The former said he can barely recall racing in such poor conditions in recent times. (Photo thanks to David McVeigh)
Glenn Kinning described the conditions at Sunday’s cyclocross race in Bangor, Co Down, as some of the worst he has ever raced in.
The Belfast man demolished the field in what was perhaps his performance of the season and it was all the more impressive given the dismal day.
Strong winds and heavy rain battered the field for the entire afternoon but the 32 year-old was loving every minute of it.
“There was one race in Orwell Park two or three years ago and that was really bad as well, but last Sunday was up there with the worst I think.
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“It was really wet and raining all day before the event and the morning of it. It was really windy as well.
“I think it forced a few people to stay away; a few came down to have a look but ended up staying in the cars.”
What made things worse was the fact it was a longer race than usual in Bangor, one which spanned for over an hour.
“I spoke to the organisers and and I knew we had to be doing more laps,” he continued.
“North Down put on a brilliant course and it was a pity the weather was so bad.
“It was a proper cross’ course with different levels and different terrain. I just kept my nose at the front. I was cornering a lot better than the others.
“I got a gap on the second lap, I think Roger (Aiken – Team ASEA) was behind me at 30 seconds on the first lap.
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"But the next gap I got was two minutes so I just rode my own tempo, not at 100 per cent but I wanted a workout with the two races abroad in two weeks,” he said in reference to the upcoming World Cup events in Hafflet and Koksijde.
Johnny Taylor (Carn Wheelers) battles his way through the mud in Bangor last Sunday.
Barry Russell (Carn Wheelers), who finished sixth in the M40 category ploughs his way through the river of mud.
No pitch inspections here - the show must go on!
One rider seems to ponder the madness of it all!
A Banbridge CC rider makes the sensible decision to run his bike through the mud.
Kinning takes victory.
No caption needed!
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