Success for Ulster riders at the XC and DH national championships

Ulster riders occupied the majority of the podiums at this year's cross-country and downhill national championships. The cross-country championships took place at Bike Park Ireland in County Tipperary and on the same weekend (18 & 19 July) the downhill national championships took place at Rostrevor in County Down.

At the cross-country Gareth McKee (Banbridge CC) won the Elite men's race with Graham Boyd (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) second. Ciara MacManus won the Elite women's race and David Montgomery (ChainReaction Cycles) won the Espoir (Under 23) race. In the Junior (male) race James Curry (Banbridge CC) took first place with Sean Bradley (Carn Wheelers) second. Shannon Buller (Banbridge CC) was the only female Junior rider. Colm McGarvey (Epic MTB), originally from County Tyrone, won the Super Masters (M40, M50, M60 race). William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) was the first M50 rider. Damian Duggan (ChainReaction Cycles) was third in the Masters (M30) race.

In the youth races, there was a full podium for Ulster riders in the Under 16 boys race with John Buller (Banbridge CC) on the top step, Adam Duff (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) second and Craig McCarthy (Xmtb McConvey Cycles) third. Niamh Skelly (Carn Wheelers) was second in the U16 girls race. Lee Harvey and Drew Armstrong, both from Xmtb McConvey Cycles, were second and third respectively in the Under 14 boys race. Darren Rafferty (Island Wheelers) was second in the Under 12s. There were non-championship races on as well that day for the youth and adults with more Ulster riders doing well. For a full list of the results see the link below.

Cross-country results

Recently married couple Glyn and Catherine O'Brien took on the task of organising the downhill national championships at Rostrevor. The Elite men's race had a full podium of Ulster riders with Colin Ross taking gold, James MacFerran silver and Christopher McGlinchy bronze. In the Junior race Jacob Dickson took gold with Alistair Baron taking bronze. Sasha Bickerstaff won the Women's race. Glyn O'Brien managed to organise the day and take gold in the Masters race ahead of Michael Cowan (ChainReaction cycles).

For a full list of results, see the link below.

Downhill results
Report on Pink Bike

Posted by Martin Grimley (martin@ulsterxc.com)