Locals enjoy medal haul at Tollymore

The one-off race saw Ulster Champions crowned at all levels ranging from the age of five to fifty. Sunday’s race also saw the culmination of the Ulster Mountain Bike series, a league of seven hotly contested rounds of off-road bike racing which as has seen a huge in crease in the number of youth riders this season. The hosts of the event, Banbridge cycle club welcomed over 140 cyclists from across Ireland who relished the challenging course of fast flowing tracks, technical single-track climbs, steep drops and river splashes with the widely popular 'Big Dipper' proving as entertaining as ever. William Mulligan from Banbridge Cycle Club and race organiser commented “We’re delighted with the numbers of riders. In the under 8’s category we had over 24 young competitors and in the adult introductory ‘sports’ level we had 35 cyclists who took part in a very positive day for the sport”. The recent days rain didn’t damped the spirits of the cyclists, the mud only proved to heighten the excitement of the racing. Mulligan commented “we saw some thrilling races, with some highly competitive spirit and I’m delighted to say that the Bann youth continued their unstoppable form as they were richly rewarded with medals galore”. Podium places were awarded to the following local riders, Matthew Adair was crowned Ulster Junior Champion. William Mulligan was awarded the gold medal in Veteran’s Ulster Champion category with Liam McKiverigan taking bronze medal in the Masters category. James Curry lifted the Ulster Champion trophy in the under 14’s closely followed by Joseph Baird in third place. John Buller was crowned Under 12’s Ulster Champion with his good friend and rival Richard Baird in the silver medal position. Mark Buller continued his run of winning form taking the trophy of Ulster Champion for the under 10’s with Jack Baird picking up the silver medal in the under 8’s. Mulligan continued “Tollymore is a fantastic setting for the race and I would like to thank all those involved in making the event such a success, in particular I would like to thank the course design team, the Marshalls and the timekeepers. Johanne Madeley, Ulster Bank said, "We are delighted to have sponsored this year's Ulster Mountain Bike Championships. Ulster Bank is committed to helping charities and good causes in the areas where it operates and this was a great opportunity to support a local event. Congratulations to all the local riders and winners, a thoroughly enjoyable family day out." The off road racers are now going to switch their attention to the Cyclo-cross season which starts on Sunday 3rd October 2010 at Lurgan Park.