Glenn Kinning is in a league of his own in the Ulster cyclo-cross league right now, the Kinning Cycles man blasting to his third straight win today (Photo courtesy of Toby Watson)
Glenn Kinning extended his lead at the top of the standings in the Ulster cyclo-cross league today after blitzing the opposition on a wretched day for racing in Bangor, Co. Down.
The Kinning Cycles man looks to be in superb form a week out from two major early-season races in the Netherlands next weekend after making light of the field this afternoon.
Kinning plans to compete in back-to-back races at Hafflet and Koksijde next Saturday and Sunday and warmed up for those nicely today.
The pre-race favourite he may well have been after winning the previous two rounds of the series, Kinning disappeared early on and was never seen again before the finish.
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Of those who challenged, Roger Aiken (Team ASEA) rode a good race to come home second while Barry Kellett (Dromara CC), who started the series second overall, rounded out the podium.
The latter said Kinning was in phenomenal form today and the sizeable field were battling for second from the start.
“It was a hard race today,” said Kellett.
“I stayed with Roger (Aiken) for the first couple of laps but he started to gap me after he got a clean bike.
“I had limited pit resources so was I was leaving any change until later in the race.
“Glenn was already forging ahead by that stage but there was nothing anyone could do.
“I knew it was going to be a longer race than we have been having so I tried to settle in and pace it through, which I’m happy to say I did,” he added.
The 8-lap race was on a very tough course, one that featured three different levels and was made all the more difficult by the appalling weather.
“Kinning is in a league of his own at the moment,” continued Kellett.
“He was riding very strongly, the same as previous weeks. Today, he wasted no time driving on early in the race. He was very impressive.”
We’ll have a word with Kinning tomorrow.
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The women's race was won by Beth McLuskey but she was pushed all the way by runner-up Michelle Geighegan ((Unattached Munster).
The Unattached Leinster woman hasn't raced up north since she won the opening round in Lurgan Park but she made the trip a worthwhile one this afternoon.
It's shaping up to be one hell of a battle for the overall with four rounds to go as Diane Wilson (Dromara CC), Shauna McFadden (Errigal CC), Kathryn Aiken (Banbridge CC) and Lisa Miller (Dromara CC) are all lurking with intent.
Matt McLaughlin (Phoenix CC) jumped up the standings in the 'B' series after a thrilling win from Hugh Gallagher (Naas CC).
He had around 20 seconds to spare on third place Gerard Craig (VC Glendale).
Round 5, Ulster Cyclocross Series
Sun, Nov 8th: Bangor, Co. Down
A Race, 8 laps
1 Glenn Kinning Kinning Cycles 1:04:18
2 Roger Aiken Team Asea 1:06:13
3 Barry Kellett Dromara CC 1:08:03
4 Derek Finnegan Keevan CC 01:08:49
5 Alex Donald Phoenix CC 1:10:08
6 Graham Boyd Xmtb McConvey Cycles 1:10:24
7 Lewis Ferguson North Down CC 1:10:33
8 Jason Henry Unattached Ulster 1:11:08
9 Des Woods Newry Wheelers CC 1:11:51
10 Don Travers Banbridge CC 1:12:09
First U23: Craig Rea Phoenix CC -1 lap
First Junior: Will Hamilton Kinning Cycles -1 lap
Women’s Race, 5 laps
1 Beth McLuskey Unattached Leinster 44:47
2 Michelle Geoghegan Unattached Munster 48:10
3 Diane Wilson Dromara CC
4 Shauna McFadden (Errigal CC) 53:34
5 Kathryn Aiken Banbridge CC 49:42
6 Lisa Miller Dromara CC 52:56
7 Mairead McGurk Carn Wheelers 53:11
8 Marina Hawkins Shimna Wheelers 53:19
9 Julie Rea Phoenix CC 53:34
10 Alwynne Shannon Newry Wheelers CC 53:48
‘B’ Race, 5 laps
1 Matt McLaughlin Phoenix CC 45:01
2 Hugh Gallagher Naas CC 45:03
3 Gerard Craig VC Glendale 45:24
4 Garth Young Powerhouse Sport 45:29
5 Michael McMullan North Down CC 45:39
6 Alan Hall Team Vision Team Vision Racing 46:04
7 Sean McGuire VC Glendale 46:04
8 Alan Dunne UCD 46:16
9 John McLaughlin Cookstown CC 46:37
10 Darren O’Toole Bray Wheelers 47:01
Full results of all races click here
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