Roger Aiken has been crowned overall winner of the Ulster Cyclocross Series after storming to victory in the final event at Falls Park, Belfast (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Roger Aiken has been crowned winner of the Ulster Cyclocross Series after storming to victory in the final event of the campaign.
The Team ASEA man will now turn his attention to the National Cyclocross Championships in the New Year where he’ll be looking to retake the jersey from combined elite and U23 champion David Montgomery.
Sunday’s VC Glendale-promoted event in Falls Park, Belfast, was a right battle in woeful conditions, though the organisers designed what proved to be a fantastic course.
Aiken was in a league of his own around it and as soon as the flag dropped he was gone and out of sight for the entire afternoon.
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Glenn Kinning gave chase but not even he could get back on terms as the remainder of the field became locked in a battle for second.
Claire Oakley on her way to victory in the women's race ahead of Gill Smith and Dianne Wilson (Photo: Toby Watson)
Barry Kellett (Dromara CC) started the day as leader of the series after a very consistent campaign but for him to win outright would have needed to beat Aiken.
And while that always looked like a tall order, Kellett really gave it his all and stayed with runner-up Kinning as long as he could.
Last week’s winner in St Columb's Park, Derry; Chris McGlinchey of Chain Reactioncycles was one of the closest men to Aiken for a long stretch but he faded in the latter half of the race.
He would eventually be passed by Kinning and Kellett and finish fourth, though first U23.
The women's race was won in convincing fashion by Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) with Gill Smith (Phoenix CC) and Dianne Wilson (Dromara CC) rounding out the podium there.
The Watson finishing kick came in handy for Colm Watson in Belfast. He takes victory in the B race from Michael McMullan just behind and his own team mate Sean Maguire, visible right down the finishing straight (Photo: Toby Watson)
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In the B race, Colm Watson really turned back the clock by storming in for a very impressive win in an event promoted by his own club VC Glendale.
The veteran had too much in the tank at the end of what was a tight contest in the battle for victory.
Watson may have had time get stick his two hands up in victory, but those behind were very close indeed.
The triumphant Watson claimed his popular win from Michael McMullan; the North Down CC man just three seconds down.
And Sean Maguire, also of VC Glendale was in the mix right up to the last. He finished in 3rd place, just 11 seconds off McMullan and only 14 seconds down on the winner.
Ulster Cyclocross Series, Round 9
Sunday, Dec 6th: Falls Park, Belfast
Promoted by VC Glendale
A Race, 6 laps
1 Roger Aiken (Team ASEA) 45:43
2 Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles) 49:11
3 Barry Kellett (Dromara CC) 49:13
4 Chris McGlinchey (Chain Reaction Cycles) 49:36
5 Graham Boyd (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) 50:17
6 Jason Henry (Unattached) 51:00
7 Don Travers (Banbridge CC) 51:47
8 Des Woods (Newry Wheelers CC) 52:44
9 Craig Rea (Phoenix CC) 53:01
10 Peter Morrisson (Northern CC/Dave Kane) 53:14
Women’s Race, 5 laps
1 Claire Oakley (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) 55:08
2 Gill Smith (Phoenix CC) 56:36
3 Dianne Wilson (Dromara CC) 57:15
4 Alwynne Shannon (Newry Wheelers CC) 1:00:43
5 Shauna McFadden (Errigal CC) 1:07:22
6 Ruth Aiken (Banbridge CC) -1 lap
7 Toni Armstrong (Apollo CT) -1 lap
8 Emma Convey (DTC Orwell Wheelers) -1 lap
9 Molly McLarnon (North Down CC) -1 lap
B Race, 5 laps
1 Colm Watson (VC Glendale) 49:36
2 Michael McMullan (North Down CC) 49:39
3 Sean Maguire (VC Glendale) 49:50
4 Paul Watson (Dromara CC) 50:53
5 Chris McCann (Banbridge CC) 51:18
6 Nigel Gibson (Carn Wheelers) 51:18
7 Graham Beckett (Dromara CC) 51:26
8 David Broome (Dromara CC) 51:29
9 Pearse O’Hagan (Newry Wheelers CC) 52:19
10 Roy Burnside (Island Wheelers) 52:35
Full results of all races available here
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