You’d be fooled into thinking that David Brailsford, boss of Team Sky, had taken a break from his usual day job and was running the show at the North Down Ladies Team. Week in week out they’re dominating the local races and steamrollering the opposition into submission. Dave’s not in charge however and it’s our own Chairman, Ian Blayney, taking on Director Sportif duties for the strongest ladies team in Irish racing. Ian dreamt up the idea of a ladies team late last year and built up his squad over the winter. Starting with a mix of experienced heads and proven race winners coupled with some ladies new to the sport the fruit of his labours is coming to fruition.

North Down 1-2

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It’s two out of two now for Janine McNally. Our new star rider, sorry Matty, shows no signs of resting on her laurels and has added yet another victory to her palmares by winning the ladies category two weeks in a row.

Janine McNally – 1st Lady

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The weekend saw the start of the racing season for our road racers. After months of winter training including hours spent in the gym and cold garages on turbo trainers the men and women of North Down CC were to find out just how effective their training has been.

Over a bitterly cold weekend which saw occasional flurries of snow the men and women of North Down CC were to open their 2013 account. Whilst all racing in mainland Europe was brought to a standstill due to the weather the organisers at Annaclone and the Phoenix GP proved that we’re made of sterner stuff in Ireland.

The 2013 season sees the launch of our new ladies team with Director Sportif, Ian Blayney carrying the heavy burden of responsibility. He didn’t need to worry however as our “Ace in the Deck” Janine McNally took up where she left off last season with her first win of the year. The rest of the ladies had a fantastic race filling much of the top ten. Unfortunately Lyn Gawley went down in an accident and hopefully those cuts and bruises disappear soon. It was a fantastic season opener for our ladies with many other top ten positions taken. Alison McMullan suffered bad luck with a puncture however within view of the finishing line which robbed her of a top ten finish. Alison is a determined competitor however and this will only motivate her even more for her next race. Without question our ladies team with be bringing home the trophies right through the rest of the season.

North Down Ladies Team

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Junior Cyclo Cross Awards –2012 Season

As ever it was the cyclocross season that closed out the year for the North Down racers and what a vintage year it was. Our team grew significantly with some big hitters joining the fray to battle it out in the mud mano a mano with our more experienced ‘cross riders. Whilst in the senior categories our ladies and gents scored some fantastic victories in terrible conditions it was our junior girls and boys who were doing the most damage. From the beginning of the season right to the bitter end they fought it out and on many occasions closing out the top three positions in their categories. Recently their toil was awarded when Martin Grimley, tireless campaigner for off road cycling, came down to Bangor to reward them for their efforts.

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Drum Manor Forest outside Cookstown was the venue for Round 7 of the Ulster Cyclo-cross series which also doubled up as the Ulster Cyclo-cross championships.  Host club Carn Wheelers were running their first cyclo-cross race and it was the first time that the club had used this forest for off-road racing.  The section of the forest used was well away from the popular public areas of the forest with the main action taking place is an open grass area which was on a slope making cycling difficult.  To add to the difficulty the club had set up a spiral section at the lower end of the field with the centrepiece of a scaffold bridge drawing the biggest number of spectators.  The course then weaved its way out of the field and into the fire road section of the forest.  There were plenty of features to keep the riders alert on each tough lap.

North Down 1-2 Colm Mclarnon & Barry Hamilton

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The sixth round of the Ulster Cyclo-cross series 2012 took place in Seacourt, Larne. This was the penultimate round of the Ulster Cyclo-cross 2012 series and the third time that the host club have used this site. It certainly felt like the start of December at the exposed site with a cool biting early morning wind but thankfully no rain. The course was in great condition after a few days of dry weather which pleased everyone. The memory of last year’s muddy race was still etched in the minds of those riders who braved the conditions last year.
As usual our juniors put in some fine performances. In the U14s boys it was the customary battle for podium places between Ben Webb and Will Hamilton. It now looks like “Bill and Ben” have sewn up the category between them.

Under 14s Podium

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