Wallace and Harvey turn it on for decisive wins as 'cross season gathers pace

Dean Harvey in flying form and on his way to a very strong win at the latest round today of the Ulster Cyclocross Series held in Co Louth (Photo: Toby Watson)

Both winners in Fintona, Co Tyrone, last weekend, Elena Wallace (Harps CC) and national champion Dean Harvey (Martigues Sport Cyclisme) have done it again today, Sunday, at the Ulster Cyclocross Series.

Wallace, an U23 rider, was the clear victor in the women's race, topping the podium by over 1½ minutes from junior rider Emer Heverin (All human-VeloRevolution), who is regarded as a bright talent coming up through the ranks.

Wallace lapped consistently faster than Heverin through the six-lap race - promoted by Newry Wheelers at the McCrystal's Track in Co Louth - but did most of the damage over just two laps.

The eventual winner got away from the start faster than young Heverin and had a lead of 15 seconds over her after the first passage of the circuit, which she added to a little over the following two laps.

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Elena Wallace is in great form, today adding another victory to the win she took at the Ulster Cyclocross Series last weekend (Photo: Toby Watson)

The fourth time around the course, Wallace put in her fastest lap of the race to end the contest as she extended her advantage over nearest rival, Heverin, by 32 seconds. In the end, after just over 40 minutes of racing, Wallace secured her second win in as many weekends by 1:41 from Heverin.

Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles) claimed the final step on the podium, some 3:55 down on the winner. Darcey Harkness (Dan Morrissey-Pissei) was 4th, at 5:40, while Hazel Murphy (Cuchulainn CC) rounded out the top five on the day at 6:49.

In the men's race, Harvey won again in what was just his second competitive outing of the cyclocross season. He claimed the victory by 2:05 from Roch Morgan, a first-year junior who has been riding in Britain for Derby Mercury RC.

The 16-year-old split reigning national champion, Harvey, and former Irish champion, David Montgomery (Spellman Dublin Port), on the podium. Montgomery was 2:22 down on Harvey in 3rd place at the end of 50 minutes of racing over nine laps.

Harvey got away from the gun very strongly and put just over 20 seconds into Montgomery on the opening lap, with Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) and Morgan just behind.

And though young Morgan upped the pace a little and managed to pick off Boyd and then Montgomery - by the end of the third lap - that scrap behind the leader never challenged Harvey.

He was fastest around the course every lap and ran out the comfortable winner of the 42-rider race, just as he had done in Co Tyrone last Sunday.

In the men's B race, Pierce Doheny (Cuchulainn CC) won by 1:28 from Shane Trimble (Newry Wheelers), with Kevin McDowell (Unattached) a further eight seconds back in 3rd place.

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The U16 girls race was won by Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) from Aoife Kellett (Dromara CC). In the U16 boys race, Darragh Murphy (Rostrevor MTB) came out on top from Kealan Doherty (Foyle CC) and Corran McCourt (VC Glendale).

The U14 boys race was won by Billy Lord (Breffni Wheelers) from Jack McGahan (Square Wheelers) and Oisin McKenna (Omagh Wheelers). The U14 girls race was won by Aoife Campbell (Square Wheelers).

Sun, Nov 23rd: Round 5, Ulster Cyclocross Series

McCrystal's Track, Co Louth

Promoted by Newry Wheelers

Women’s Race

  1. Wallace, Elena Espoir Harps CC 42:11.76  
  2. Heverin, Emer Junior All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team +01:41.0  
  3. Newell, Rachel Senior McConvey Cycles +03:55.0  
  4. Harkness, Darcey Senior Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team +05:40.2  
  5. Murphy, Hazel M50 Cuchulainn CC +06:49.1  
  6. Wheeler, Catriona Senior Agivey Cycling Club +07:47.0  
  7. Birley, Laura Senior Un-Attached Ulster -1 LAP  
  8. Kearney, Margaret M50 Agivey Cycling Club -1 LAP  
  9. Henderson, Claire M50 Un-Attached Ulster -1 LAP  
  10. Kokhan, Tetyana M40 Un-Attached Ulster -1 LAP  
  11. McCafferty, Kathleen M40 Dunloy CC -1 LAP  
  12. Hingston, Emma M50 Phoenix CC -1 LAP  
  13. Manogue, Jayne M40 The Feel Good Factor -2 LAP  
  14. Murphy, Julie M60 Un-Attached Ulster -2 LAP  
  15. Weir, Emma Senior Un-Attached Ulster -4 LAP  

Men’s A Race

  1. Harvey, Dean Senior Martigues Sport Cyclisme   50:00.92  
  2. Morgan, Roch Junior Unattached Ulster   +02:05.4  
  3. Montgomery, David Senior Spellman-Dublin Port   +02:22.1  
  4. Boyd, Graham Senior McConvey Cycles   +02:42.0  
  5. McCarter, Darragh M40 Spellman-Dublin Port   +03:51.8  
  6. Harkness, Travis Senior Lyon Sprint Evolution   +03:55.7  
  7. O'Neill, Gareth Senior Athlete Nutrition Coach Nordic Labs   -1 LAP  
  8. Kellett, Barry M40 Dromara Cycling Club   -1 LAP  
  9. McEntee, Declan M50 Emyvale CC   -1 LAP  
  10. O'Brien, Glyn M40 Un-Attached Ulster   -1 LAP  
  11. Mackey, James Junior Foyle CC   -1 LAP  
  12. Henry, Jason M50 Inspired Cycling   -1 LAP  
  13. Gordon, James Senior Phoenix CC   -1 LAP  
  14. McKenna, Stephen M40 Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club   -1 LAP  
  15. Adams, Jonny Senior McConvey Cycles   -1 LAP  
  16. Kelly, Fearghal Senior Phoenix CC   -1 LAP  
  17. McCauley, Jay M50 Strabane Lifford Cycling Club   -1 LAP  
  18. Morrison, Peter M50 Velo Cafe Magasin   -1 LAP  
  19. Molloy, Mark Junior Dunloy CC   -1 LAP  
  20. Lord, John M40 Breffni Wheelers   -1 LAP  
  21. McKee, David M50 VC Glendale   -1 LAP  
  22. McCourt, Sean M40 VC Glendale   -1 LAP  
  23. Heywood, Kevin M40 Killinchy Cycling Club   -1 LAP  
  24. Murphy, Niall James M50 Lakeland   -1 LAP  
  25. Smith, Colin M40 Un-Attached Ulster   -1 LAP  
  26. Loney, Eamon M50 Un-Attached Ulster   -1 LAP  
  27. Hamilton, Paul M40 Team Caldwell Cycles   -2 LAP  
  28. Chandler, Lawrence Senior Square Wheels   -2 LAP  
  29. Maguire, Seán M50 VC Glendale   -2 LAP  
  30. Mackle, Bernard M40 Square Wheels   -2 LAP  
  31. Doherty, Tom Senior Four Masters CC   -2 LAP  
  32. Quinlan, Niall M50 EPIC MTB   -2 LAP  
  33. McKenna, Dara M50 Emyvale CC   -2 LAP  
  34. McKeown, Richard M40 North Down CC   -2 LAP  
  35. Doherty, Justin M50 Dunloy CC   -2 LAP  
  36. Dunne, Brendan M50 Cuchulainn CC   -2 LAP  
  37. Gordon, Mark M50 Newry Wheelers CC   -2 LAP  
  38. Kellett, Brian M50 Dromara Cycling Club   -2 LAP  
  39. Lawlor, John M40 Unattached   -2 LAP  
  40. Connolly, Damien M40 Square Wheels   -3 LAP  
  41. Henry, Joe M50 Velo Cafe Magasin   -3 LAP  
  42. Macsorley, Fred M60 Apollo Cycling Team   -3 LAP  

Men’s B Race

  1. Doheny, Pierce Cuchulainn CC 42:26.18  
  2. Trimble, Shane Newry Wheelers CC +01:28.8  
  3. McDowell, Kevin Un-Attached Ulster +01:36.1  
  4. McCarron, Niall Newry Wheelers CC +01:57.9  
  5. Harris, Phil Killinchy Cycling Club +03:20.2  
  6. Kelly, Brian Team Caldwell Cycles +04:49.2  
  7. Gallagher, Donal Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club +05:16.1  
  8. Smyth, Stephen Newry Wheelers CC +07:02.7  
  9. Quigley, Francis Foyle CC +07:16.8  
  10. Dempsey, Gareth Square Wheels +07:51.9  
  11. McNeely, Dave Un-Attached Ulster -1 LAP  
  12. Cassidy, Barry Emyvale CC -2 LAP  
  13. Hamilton, Michael Un-Attached Ulster -2 LAP  

Youth Races

U16 Boys

  1. Murphy, Darragh Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club 31:01.03  
  2. Doherty, Kealan Foyle CC +01:08.1  
  3. McCourt, Corran VC Glendale +02:54.0  

U16 Girls

  1. Baker, Ava Breffni Wheelers 27:45.88
  2. Kellett, Aoife Dromara Cycling Club +05:59.3

U14 Boys

  1. Lord, Billy Breffni Wheelers 29:20.53  
  2. McGahan, Jack Square Wheels +01:15.1  
  3. McKenna, Oisin Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club +05:06.8  
  4. Sunderland, William Apollo Cycling Team +05:28.0  
  5. Hume, Thompson Dunloy CC +08:55.7  
  6. McKee, Jake VC Glendale +09:30.2  
  7. Manogue, James Apollo Cycling Team -1 LAP  

U14 Girls

  1. Campbell, Aoife Square Wheels 30:16.43

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