Team Madigan to host XC NPS Round 5

[Fergal]

Race date: Sunday 24th May 2009

Venue: Magheramorne Quarry, Larne, Co Antrim

http://www.irishxcmtb.com/images/race_posters/race_poster_nps5_2009_sml.jpg

[Fergal]

IRISH MTB XC NPS RD 5-MAGHERAMORNE, LARNE

Round five of the Irish Mountain Bike Cross Country NPS takes place on Sunday 24th May, at Magheramorne Quarry near Larne in County Antrim, promoted by Team Madigan. This vast expanse, owned by the Lafarge Company, formerly the Blue Circle Cement Works, was first used in May 2007 for a round of the NPS and again last year. The venue may not be what is classed as 'normal' mtb terrain, no forest etc, however the course features a number of technical challenges.

In the last two years the event proved a great success for the promoting Club as they moved away from their ancestral mtb home, Woodburn Forest. Once over the culture shock of an mtb race not in a forest, the majority of those that competed the rounds thoroughly enjoyed the course which provided for fast racing in the ultra dry conditions.

Sign on for race day (Sunday) opens at 10am and will be located in the Blue Circle Sports and Social Club where showers are provided as well as light refreshments after the racing.

The course will be similar to last year with only a few changes with lots of drop offs and fast single tracks, a lap is 4 miles (6.4km) long with 335 foot (102hm) of climbing.

Under 8 and Under 10 riders will have their own mini course while Under 12 and Under 14 competitors will have a mini loop of the main course. All other classes will use the main course.

The course will be open for a practice session on Saturday 23rd May between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.
All riders must sign the Sign-On sheet, open from 1 – 2 pm.

Team Madigan wish to thank Chain Reaction Cycles for their kind sponsorship in support of this event.

Caravan / Camping at the venue contact Maria on 07940 555847. For accommodation information in the area check www.larne.gov.uk click ‘Tourism’.

Check out the course by entering the following link which is a video of last years racing taken by Simon Stockton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-V1L9ZJIxk


Race timetable:

Races 1 Start time Laps

U-10 11.31am 4 laps (mini course)

U-8 11.32am 2 laps (mini course)
Race 2

U-16 12.15pm 3 laps

SPORT 12.16pm 3 laps

Ladies 12.16pm 3 laps

U-14 12.17pm 4 small laps

U-12 12.18pm 2 small laps
Races 3


ELITE MEN 1.30pm 7 laps
ELITE WOMEN 1.31pm 5 laps
JUNIORS 1.31pm 5 laps
EXPERTS 1.32pm 5 laps
MASTERS 1.33pm 5 laps
VETS 1.34pm 5 laps

All those attending the event are asked to respect the following safety arrangements.

No vehicles will be allowed onto the Quarry site.

There will be no spectator access to the Quarry face side of the road.

Riders are reminded that they should ride in their age related class. Exceptions are the 'open' Elite and Sports Classes.
The Experts Class, while also an 'open' class, was introduced to provide a stepping stone from Sports to Elite level.


Directions:

From Belfast and the South-


Follow signs for M2 North/Carrickfergus

On M2 keep right and join M5

Roundabout at end of M5-Take 2nd exit A2 Whiteabbey/Carrickfergus

Proceed through Carrickfergus on A2 following signs for Larne.

Remain on A2 passing through Eden and Whitehead

The venue is located approx. 2 miles south of Larne on right side of road after passing under an overhead bridge at the site.


Further details from Bill Mackness:

Tel: 07872910832

Email: william.mackness@btinternet.com

http://www.irishxcmtb.com/images/race_posters/race_poster_nps5_2009_sml.jpg

[Morgan]

It's a bit of a drive up to Magheramorne - is anyone planning on going up on the Saturday?

Would anyone like to give me a lift to this? I can offer a lift to Round 6 in exchange.

[Cormac]

Morgan I can give you a lift but will only be going on the sunday.

It may be a long way but it is mainly motorway/ dual carriageway so is easy to drive

[Fergal]

note updated laps for senior categories:

ELITE MEN 1.30pm 7 laps
ELITE WOMEN 1.31pm 5 laps
JUNIORS 1.31pm 5 laps
EXPERTS 1.32pm 5 laps
MASTERS 1.33pm 5 laps
VETS 1.34pm 5 laps

[Oisin]

I am going up on Sunday and can give a lift.

[MarkG]

im going up on the saturday,probably bed n b,no room in car though,anyone else for saturday?

[Fergal]

I'm gonna head up early Sunday instead of Sat, need to be there before sign-on in order to show Madigan the timing system etc..

[MarkG]

Deadly race, real fast and competitive,good course for racing on and there was sambos and tea! had a real battle with Morgan all thru the race which he won ,we pushed each other on but he was strong today.
im wrecked!

[Scrivo]

That's deadly Mark, what its all about. How did everybody else get on!?

Just heard Graham broke his arm in two places in Rostrevor :(

[Morgan]

I was in two minds about whether to head up for this race - it's a pretty long way away. However after Conor telling me it was a good course and Cormac offering a lift in his luxury family saloon I decided to give it a go. Definitely the right decision - easily one of the best XC races of the year. It's completely different to any other venue, lightning quick and all those drops are great craic - especially the giant bombhole (or launch-pad if you take it too fast). Unlike some courses this year the whole thing was ridable despite the recent rain (apart from that EVIL mud hole near the start). The way the course looped back on itself allowed you to see who was a bit ahead of you so you were always under pressure to catch up (or stay ahead).

I had a good race, staying in the big ring as much as possible and vying with Mark the whole way round. I'd have been sickened if he caught me on the final stretch :). I wasn't so lucky with Brian from EPIC - the fecker got away from me when I fumbled my water bottle on lap two and I never caught up - top 10 denied! The Secretary didn't fare so well - he wasn't in a good way when he was passed by the Cobra Kai and I heard he had to take a lie down at some point. Cormac got on well too - but there are a couple of lads from IMBRC that he'll have to sort out before the league is over. Gene finished with a big smile on his face so he obviously wasn't trying hard enough. Oisin rode really well as usual for a 4th place finish. Shame there wasn't more MAD riders up - you missed out.

Madigan did a great job with the organisation too - sign on was effortless, no problems with course marking, computerised timing giving instant results (had my position called out to me as I crossed the line), food and showers at the end. I'll be encouraging everyone to make the journey up next year.

[Fergal]

yes - a lie down would have been good - had to sit down for a while to compose myself, felt really bad a bit after lap 1 - no idea what it was - sick weakly feeling - pathetic, the Kobra Kai showed no remorse as he hammered on past - merciless and fast he was
felt like DNF'ing but I got the last lap in regardless, anyway - I was cheered-up by the whole organisation and riders who were saying they had a great day - it was great to be able to get the results printed off for people - there were a small few minor hiccups with some riders not entered properly - but a few seconds later and that was all sorted out - some good learnings there,
lots of food after - I was very impressed - excellent value for money - and an hour less of a commute time than last year - I hope and expect to see many more MAD riders attending next year

[Oisin]

Yeah brilliant event. That course gives a really different race to the usual forest venues. Its so fast with no let up that it actually reminds me of a DH race... not in terms of being technical but in that if you make even the tiniest mistake then you lose your position. Its intense wheel on wheel action the whole way and I was mentally exhausted from the concentration afterwards, not to mention the physical exertion. Food and facilities were also excellent.

I had a tough race - was strong and leading on and off for lap one, then dropped back alternating between 2nd/3rd for lap two cause the pace was savage and I had to watch that I didn't overdo it. Unfortunately hadn't set up anyone to hand me water bottles so I lost the leading group when I had to slow down to pick up a bottle and never caught them again - lession learned. Once I was off the leaders there was no way I was catching them again so battled with Alfie until the last lap when I managed to put a gap on him. Interesting to see the lap times as once I was off the leaders group my lap times really slowed. Less incentive to keep the pace.

It was a very different racing experience trying to keep in with a close pack or be dropped - must be like road racing. I'd love to get more practice of that kind of racing actually. Learn to draft and use strategy within the pack etc.

[Morgan]

Some photos from the race here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34727847@N04/sets/72157618744102636/

[sox]

Superb day, excellent race excellent course and excellent weather. This was my first time racing this event and will defo ride it next year.... must get fitter!!!!! ;D

It was interesting going for a sprint finish hehe that would explain my 191 bpm hr at the end of the race hehe

Good turn out too, i hope this event builds in size next year.


Here is the video.....

pBRS9Gb_5so

SOX!
Team Madigan

[Fergal]

deadly work Sox - nicely filmed and edited - there's some zoom on that camera!

[Conor]

I said you'd enjoy it Morgan!

Myself and Aine were raging we missed this race, but Rostrevor was calling. Shame nobody from sports travelled, but its their loss.

[Phil]

Damn, looks sweet on the video, sorry I missed this

[Fergal]

Sports and Under Age results:


Sport Men 3 Laps = 19.2 Kms:

1 B Russell (Carn Whs); 2 G McKeegan (Team Madigan); 3 David Hickey (Unattached); 4 Paul Barry (IMBRC); 5 N Clarke (Cuchulainn CC); 6 M Grimley (Dromara CC); 7 A Sloan (Unattached); 8 A Craig (Unattached); 9 R Ogilby (XMTB McConvey Cycles); 10 S Stockton (Team Madigan); 11 R Beers (XMTB McConvey Cycles); 12 R Greer (Team Madigan).

D.N.F. R Hubbard (Unattached); K Hughes (EPIC-MTB); D McCreadie (North Down CC).



Sport Women 3 Laps = 19.2 Kms:

1 M O'Grady (EPIC-MTB); 2 J Watt (Dromara CC); 3 N Oldham (Banbridge CC).

D.N.F. D Mullan (Unattached).



Under 16. 3 Laps = 19.2 Kms:

1 M Adair (Banbridge CC); 2 R Scanlon (Team WORC); 3 C Oakley (XMTB McConvey Cycles); 4 S Ballantine (XMTB McConvey Cycles).



Under 14. 4 small laps:

1 C Oakley (XMTB McConvey Cycles); 2 D Runciman (Banbridge CC); 3 Z Hanna (Dromara CC); 4 M McGauley (Carn Whs); 5 Ty Mackness (Team Madigan).



Under 12. 2 small laps:

1 J Currie (Banbridge CC); 2 E O'Reilly (EPIC-MTB); 3 R Baird (Banbridge CC); 4 J Baird (Banbridge CC); 5 R Mayne (Banbridge CC); 6 S Buller (Banbridge CC); 7 C McConvey (Newry Whs); 8 A Swann (Unattached).



Under 10. 4 mini laps:

1 J Buller (Banbridge CC); 2 F McConvey (Newry Whs); 3 S McKiverigan (Banbridge CC); 4 S McCluskey (Team Madigan); 5 B Hanna (Dromara CC); 6 K Mulvenna (Unattached); 7 J Lamont (XMTB McConvey Cycles); 8 K Mackness (Team Madigan); 9 C McCarthy (Castlereagh CC).



Under 8. 2 mini laps:

1 M Buller (Banbridge CC); 2 J Baird (Banbridge CC); 3 S Swann (Unattached); 4 D Armstrong (Dromara CC); 5 J Buller (Banbridge CC); 6 A Russell (Carn Whs); 7 K Swann (Unattached); 8 N McKiverigan (Banbridge CC).