Banbridge club hosts cross country National Point Series event at Dromore

ROUND 3 of the 2025 Cross-country Mountain Bike National Point Series took place on Sunday, 1 June at Dunmore Mountain, Dromore.

Gareth and Ruth McKee were race directors for this round and delivered another excellent event, even improving on the course from last year. The action was centred around the race village with the host club’s new gazebos on show. Last Lap Café were back to provide refreshments and Paul Joyce was pumping out the tunes and the commentary.

The day started overcast with some light rain. This did clear for the start of racing but the weather throughout the day did switch between warm sunshine and blue skies – with stunning views of the Mourne mountains – to dark grey clouds and rain.

There was a wind cutting across the open hillside for most of the day, however just as we had finished the final podiums of the day and the club was starting to pack up, there was a five minute period of powerful gusts of wind.

There were riders from all corners of Ireland at this round. Thanks to everyone for coming along. A few of the regulars were missing as they attended the Ulster Youth Road Championships hosted by Foyle CC. The course itself was in good condition as it had been fairly dry all week.

The Under 6s race got us underway at 10 am. They had their own circuit built behind the registration tent. The four riders had one lap to complete.

The Under 8s course was a short circuit which climbed up from the start line, turned sharply 180 degrees then dropped back over the humps to the finish. They had six laps to complete.

Evan McTavish (Western Lakes CC) took his third straight win in the boys’ race. Scottie Lockhart (Un-Attached Leinster) was second with Charlie McCarter (Un-Attached Connacht) third and Killian Logan (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) fourth. Elisa Tyszecka (MBCC) also took her third win of the series in the girls’ race. Zara Aiken (Banbridge CC) was second with Elianna Logan (Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club) third.

The Under 12s course included a new technical section this year. They also had six laps to complete.

Benjamin Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) took a comfortably win in the boys’ race, his second win of the series. Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) was second with Liam McGeown third. Aoife Campbell (Square Wheels) broke her chain just after the start. She did get going again and managed to win the Under 12 girls’ race. Amelia Martin (Belfast City BMX Club) was second with Eve Harrison (Banbridge CC) third.

After the usual break for podium presentations and course practice it was the turn of the Under 14s, Under 16s, Senior 1 women, Senior 2 women and the Senior 4 open race.

After another break in proceedings for the podium and course practice, it was the turn of the Senior 1, Senior 2, Senior 3 and the single entry in the Junior men’s race – Ryan Daly (Scott Racing IRL). Ryan started at the same time as the Senior 1 open riders but was the first to appear at the end of lap 1 setting the fastest lap time of the day, just under 13 minutes. Ryan had 4 laps to complete.

Leading the Senior 1 open race for the first 2 of 6 laps was David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port). However, on lap 3 disaster struck with a puncture and a slow trip back to the pits. David dropped back to 8th. Taking over the lead was John Buller (Banbridge CC), a newcomer to this year’s series but not a newcomer to cross-country racing or to Dunmore.

John was last here back in 2009 when he won the Under 10s race at the National Championships. John went on to win the race much to the delight of the host club.

Chasing hard was the Irish mountain bike legend Robin Seymour (Team WORC), twice the age of John Buller but still a powerful athlete. Nathan Kurensky (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) got his first podium of the series taking third. Sean Feeney (Team WORC) was fourth. David Montgomery managed to work his way back up to fifth.

The Senior 2 open race was held over five laps. Glyn O’Brien (Un-Attached Ulster) was leading comfortably at the end of lap 1 but a double puncture took him out of the race. Michael Burton (Team WORC) took over the lead from Glyn but it was Ian O’Connell (Team WORC) who came to the front on lap three and held this to the line.

Michael finished second with Colm Bradley (EPIC MTB) taking third, which kept him at the top of the series table. Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) was fourth with Nick Lannoote (Team WORC) fifth and Fergal Power (Un-Attached Leinster) sixth. Don Travers (Banbridge CC) was featured on the poster for the event and finished a respectable seventh. David O’Neill (Un-Attached Ulster) returned from Scotland to this race as he ‘didn’t want to miss it’. David finished eighth.

A huge thanks to all at Banbridge Cycling Club for hosting this Round of the National Point Series. We are very grateful to the landowner for the use of Dunmore mountain. Thanks to Cycleology for sponsoring prizes – Alistair was on site handing out the medals.