Great day at Enduro Mountain Biking in Davagh

Weather was picture perfect but we had clouds of killer midges who must have thought it was their lucky day. 200 rider sell out event and some sponsored riders also in the mix.

We had a strong field who travelled from the south which made for some great racing with the best of the local and international riders.

Colin Ross riding for Vitus Factory Racing took the win closely followed by Gavin O Connell of Team Worc and firsttracksmtb.com Glyn O’Brien Riding for Nukeproof finishing the Pro Podium.

The Mens Elite field was again a stacked talented bunch. Alastair Beckett riding for Nukeproof Chainreactioncycles.com took the top spot.

French rider Jeremy Durand riding for chainreactioncycles.com came in a close second place. Garreth Davis representing Biking.ie took the third spot.

The Mens Sport category and the largest field was the closest podium of the day with just 1 second difference in 1st and 2nd Local rider Alan Gilkinson of East Tyrone Cycling club took the top spot with Carn Wheelers rider Tomas McElwee taking second. MBW – Kona Ireland’s Neil Martin took third.

The Female Category was crowned by Ciara MacManus riding for Summit Mountain Biking. Lesley Archer of the Muddy Butts came in second with Belles rider Julie McCorry taking third.

Racing got under way after a long climb up the notorious widow maker. Steelweld Fabrications Ltd Cookstown Stage 1 was a long stage with a good mix of fast descents and tough climbing really put pain on the riders from the word go.

Meat At Regan’s Stage 2 was again a long stage. More suited to the xc rider it finished with a technical off camber rooty section through the trees. Returning close to the car park.

The Shepherds Rest Stage 3 took the riders out of the car park again. The stage was a shorter one but unfortunately for the riders more climbing than descending. After it as finished another climb up the Window Maker to repeat the first section of stage 1

The Market Inn Draperstown Stage 4 was similar to stage one. It ran firstly over the same section then at a fork in the trail took a left turn running parallel to stage 1. This one wasn’t just as long as stage 1 but covered some very fast sections.

The Diamond Service Station Draperstown Stage 5 was again a mix of descents and flatter pedal sections. Boundary rock was once again a hit with the spectators. This natural rock feature is technical going in and steep going down.

It was great to see such a big turn out and the riders were treated to a big spread at the end. Soup, Sandwiches, Sausage rolls, Buns, Biscuits and teas and coffee seemed to go down a treat judging by the empty trays.

This years charity was STEPS Mental Health. The girls came up and set up an information stand. They even helped out with our registration food tables and clear up so thanks for that.

We later presented the girls with a cheque and also some donations from food and T-shirt sales to spectators, walkers and friends.