Domhnaill O’Sullivan
11 Jan 2025
CX
What a day and what a course for the National cyclo-cross championships 2025 hosted by Ballinasloe Cycling Club!
Orwell youths were there in force with 12 young riders representing the club.
First up for our riders was Fiachra Connolly in the Under 8 category. A fearless display by Fiachra who made his way through the field on a shortened course. The finish line came too soon for him as he sprinted down the straight finishing a very impressive 3rd.
Next up we had the under 10’s with Bobby Campbell and Jaxon Jennings lining up for the club. Jaxon led from the gun as he has done all season to take the chequered flag. Jaxon’s lap times would have seen him on the podium in the under 12s such is his skill and strength. A young man to remember! Bobby was ungridded and made his way from the back through the field to finish just outside the medals in 4th. A fine performance.
Next up were the under 12’s, the biggest underage field of the day with 38 riders. The boys set off about a minute ahead of the girls. Representing Orwell we had Ben, Josh, Tadgh and Molly. Like Jaxon before him Ben stormed to the front and led right through to the chequered flag. A flawless performance and such a deserving winner. Tadgh was running 3rd before a coming together with another rider, he composed himself and got back through the field to finish 4th with Josh not far behind in 6th. Molly came home in 7th overall and 2nd girl, bearing in mind Molly started a minute behind the boys this was a super effort. Had she been gridded with the boys her time would have seen her finish 4th overall.
After presentations the under 14 and 16 girls were next with the under 16s starting on the first whistle. Katie the firm favourite in the under 16’s and Laoise in the under 14s. Riding at the font Katie had a very unfortunate mechanical and lost at least 2 minutes whilst stationery too the eventual winner. Katie’s ride will go down as one of the highlights of the day. She stormed back through the field setting the fastest lap times in the race to ultimately finish 2nd, 29 seconds down. Laoise starting on the second whistle wasn’t long mixing it up with some of the under 16’s ahead. She rode a very strong race to finish 3rd. A fine performance for a first year under 14.
Next up the boys. We had Mossy, Will and Jake in the under 14’s along with former club rider James Cunningham. Laoise’s brother Fionn was in the under 16’s who started on the first whistle ahead of the under 14’s. James like brother Ben in the under 12s had a flawless performance storming home in first. Mossy continued his great form and finished a very comfortable 2nd to the delights of a very proud dad. Jake and Will both first year under 14s showed great spirit and courage to finish mid pack in what was a by gruelling course. Fionn Crinion was well in the mix but just missing out today to finish a credible 5th.
A big thanks to Luke Potter in the pits and the many parents encouraging from the side lines. Chapeau also to Ballinasloe Cycling Club for running a tremendous cx national champs!