Bikedock Belles

Cyclocross is a bike discipline in its own right, one which Andrea would love to have a go at but is missing a vital ingredient – a cyclocross bike ! - but the main event is preceded by kids and adult MTB races on the course.

The U8s were first off ...eventually...after Young Guns leader Fraser Harrower was asked to bike a lap and it was then deeemd too short – so the organisers swiftly extended the course. Fraser was keen to get off to a good start due to a tight first bend. He made the bend in 3^rd place but with a great move on the inside of a bend halfway around the lap he moved into first position – and maintained the lead through the 6 laps to the finish line making it a second consecutive win.

There was a fantastic performance by Adam McCaughtry, in his best race ever, who battled it out for 3^rd/4^th position for much of the race and was just pipped to cross the line in 4^th. Adam will no doubt soon end up on the podium at the rate he is progressing.

Zak Tsoutsas also had one of his best races, finishing 9^th, Dean Grimley too in 13^th, and Christopher Duncan too in 16^th. These Young Guns and Dromara CC riders are all moving up the ranks – but most importantly loving every single event and always looking forward to the next one.

The U10s again saw a great ride by Ben Wilson, battling it out once more in 3^rd/4^th position. This was his closest finish yet to the podium and he will no doubt take 3^rd in coming races. In the same race Kelly Wilson had a fantastic ride and took 1^st girl ahead of Sarah Elder from Carn Wheelers. Sam Duncan was the only other Young Gun in this category – continuing to enjoy the races and always with a beaming smile on his face. Particularly since his mum was actually there to watch him this time! Ahem.

In the U12s, Max Melville was aiming for 3^rd place again but was beaten into 4^th by arch rival Max Anderson – who had quite an impressive black eye that was nothing to do with Max Melville ! Max was happy enough with 4^th position, improving on the previous round's 5^th place and not really having been on his MTB until a couple of weeks ago. So 3^rd is the target for Round 3 !

After the kids races, came the adult MTB race, with Young Guns and some parents staying on to lend their much welcomed support to belle Andrea. For the first time in a long time Andrea felt a buzz of competition pre race, so hammered off to a fast start. This was a long, leg sapping course – but Andrea's new racy wheels came into their own (well, they looked good anyway!) and she maintained a comfortable lead around the course. Even doing an unnecessary extra lap at the end !

1st position for both Andrea and Fraser meant a mummy & son double for the 2^nd consecutive time. Roll on Larne for the hat-trick attempt!

Andrea finished 1^st female and 16^th out of 42 starters (including an encouraging 9 females!). Debut MTB support racer Diane Wilson had a fantastic performance to finish 3^rd female, just slightly behind Kerryann Hughes. No doubt she is still analysing her last lap! And gunning for 2^nd position in the next round ... never mind 1^st !

Monthlies Debbie Irvine and Jenny Melville, having had a training??!! session last week with Andrea around the fire-roads and bridleways of Dromara in preparation for Cyclocross debut, had a blast! The nerves were rife pre start, and there wasn't the usual sound of chatter and loud laughter as they raced...yes, raced!.....around. At one stage Andrea thought they must be hating her. But then focus was required on some of the tricky mud sections and off camber corners. And at the end the girls were buzzing, if busted, and well up for the next race. Funny, they didn't mention another training session though...just the bacon sarnies they were offered at the end of the first one!

Photos can be viewed (even if you do NOT have a facebook account) on the Belles facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150357736618077.373935.128284588076&type=1

Ding Dong !

Andrea