The Belgian Project media team will be present providing the commentary & tunes, and capturing the moments of pain, sweat and joy trough our camera’s, with over 325 entries this should be a cracker!!Promoted by Apollo CC and event sponsor Chain Reaction this year
Andrew Layhe from Apollo CT said; ‘Apollo Cycling Team are delighted to welcome CRC as title sponsor for this year’s opening cyclocross race of the Ulster League in Lurgan Park. The event is now established as a landmark event on the annual CX calendar and CRC’s support for the event provides a solid foundation for the growing discipline across all the categories. We have an exciting new course for this year’s race designed by race organiser Kevin Devlin which will provide challenging and exciting racing. We welcome CRC, all the riders, members of Apollo and the local council who have all helped in bringing this event together.’
Big entries in the underage cat’s make it also a day for families to enjoy the efforts of their wains …The Square Wheels Youth Army here above in last years event
Lurgan Park offers cyclists a superb venue for off-road riding in pleasant surroundings. The cyclocross course is classified as a fast, flowing and challenging track and yet suitable for even novice riders so no excuses for not turning up and enjoying cyclo-cross at its best. With a new course, developed with the help of local riders, we are hoping to offer a balance of open racing, with long straights and technical areas. We have kept the well-known and enjoyed mass start. You then enter open switchbacks and straights, which should thin the group out, before passing the pits and entering the new technical part of the course. The skills section to the race is centred around the wooded section with roots, tight corners and off-camber. You will need to concentrate hard to remain fast. You’ll pass the pits again after hitting the technical area of the course, then onto the tarmac before you head around to the start/finish line and start again. We’re hoping this new course design will lead to close balanced racing for all. This course should give everyone a great introduction to the cyclocross calendar. This is an ideal chance for riders to experience the venue which has held Irish Cyclo-cross Championships in the past. We all love a good cheer during a race and designed this with the spectator in mind as most of the racing can be viewed from the start/finish straight, so bring along the cowbells and cheer your family along as they race around this great course and enjoy a warm Apollo welcome. The entrance to the course is situated within the car park of Waves Leisure Complex in Queen St, (just off the main street) Lurgan. Co Armagh. The approach roads will be signed on the morning of the event. Use the car park to your right when entering the main gates.
Last year we had the visit from Olympian & World and Irish Champ Eve Mc Crystal to the park, supporting the kids of Cuchulainn CC, here seen with our volunteer Jerome
A perfect family day in the park (Johnny Taylor, wife Angela and kids)
All in the capable hands of Martin Grimley as chief comm, and the devil do it all (Martin receiving from us the “appreciation award” for his tremendous work revamping CX in the Ulster region and beyond!
