Elder takes podium place at Ulster Championships

Sarah’s achievement is made all the more remarkable because the young racer had to stop dead 15 metres from the line due to a vehicle stopping in front of her.

This is another trophy for Sarah’s already bulging trophy cabinet. Thanks to everyone involved with the David McCall foundation and all the clubs for organising races throughout the year.

Last Sunday the National XC Champs was held in Fossa Killarney, Co Kerry. Carn Wheelers had five riders in attendance from the same family, the Skellys.

The course designed for the Nationals was described as one of the best technical courses the riders have taken part on.

First up on the day was Eimer Skelly in the Under 8 race and a great performance from Eimer saw her finish 2nd in the girls race and 3rd over all in the Under 8 boys and girls combine race.

Next up was Ryan Skelly in the Under 12 race, another great performance and a very close race with Ryan finishing 5th gaining a well-deserved championship medal.

Next on the line was Niall Skelly in the Under 14s. With a big field of riders and two shorter laps of the adults’ course this made for a very tough race. Naill finished strong in 12th place overall.

The Under 16s were next with Niamh having to do two full laps of the adults course, again Niamh crossed the line in 3rd coming home with a well deserved championship medal.

Finally it was dads turn, Gareth was up against S1, S2 and S3 riders over four laps of the course. Gareth had said his goal was just to finish a very tough race on one of the best courses of the year.

Many thanks to Killarney CC for a great weekend and organizing a fantastic race. Also a big thanks for the help and support from all the Island Wheelers over an eventful weekend.

On a very hot and sunny Thursday evening Roe Valley CC placed hosted to Round 5 of the inter club league for the first time. They organised a seven lap race on a flat course.

The riders in attendance served up some fast and furious racing around the 3.5 mile course as each lap rolled past the speed increased.

On lap seven the first scratch and the second group failed to catch a front group who were working very hard together.

In a bunch sprint Carn Wheelers took silver and bronze positions with Johnny McConomy and Aidan Higgins taking the honours.

There was road racing action on Tuesday evening with the Bann Wheelers hosting on their Tyanee course.

Again the Carn racers were in the thick of the action with three men in the top 10.

Fresh from track action at the national championships Marc Heaney crossed the line in 5th, Johnny Taylor took 8th with Jody Evans rounding off the top 10 finishers.

Also on Tuesday evening in Davagh forest was the 4th round of the East Tyrone CC MTB TT got underway. Carn Wheelers had 3 riders in the top 10 with Tomas McElwee in 3rd, Paul Taylor in 5th and Stephen Law 9th.

Over the last two weeks the club has been running beginner cycles for anyone who is interested in taking part in group cycling.

The routes are planed with newcomers in mind having both a limited milage and a sensible pace. We have had some new faces arriving down who have really enjoyed taking part in our leisure cycles.

If anyone is interested in coming along the club meets at 8am on a Sunday morning in the car park of Maghera Leisure Centre.