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Last Updated: Apr 16th, 2008 - 09:20:29 |
Grande Finale At Castlewellan
Following three pulsating and action packed events, the 2008 International K-Capital Cup reaches a climax this weekend at Castlewellan Forest Park in County Down. Promoted by the XMTB Club, round four takes place on one of the best courses in the country. The 2008 K-Capital Series has proved to be a total success, with entries for the first three rounds totalling well over the 600 mark. The best three rounds out of the four count towards a riders overall ranking and competitors are reminded that in order to qualify for an overall finish the final round must be started. Riders should note that a few changes have had to be made to the original course due to an archery event taking place on part of the original course.
The Elite Mens race should be a cracker, especially with the pressure of Olympic selection having been settled at round three. Robin Seymour enters the final round leading the points table on 80; the only rider who could take the title from him is Niall Davis, the IMBRC rider sitting in second place on 51. These two should be in the thick of the action along with Conor McConvey, the Belfast rider having finished a brilliant third in the opening round of the British NPS at Thetford last Saturday. Ryan Sherlock could take third overall if results go his way, the MAD rider finding some excellent form over the last two weeks.
Mel Spath leads the way in the Elite Womens Class having won the last two races. Last weekend Mel sensationally finished second in the Elite Womens race at Thetford, runner up to British Champion Jenny Copnall. The main battle for the Ladies at Castlewellan would seem to be for the other overall placings, those in with a chance including Ann Duffy, Beth McCluskey, Tarja Owens and Ciara McManus.
The Junior Class is led by Neil McGimpsey going into the final round. The Belfast rider took the honours in round three after the retirements of leading runners Liam McGreevy and Paul O’Reilly. Anyone of these three could take the overall title on Sunday. The Expert Class is led by Oisin Boydell on 81 pts with his main threat provided by the vastly improved Luke Manning, Tim James and Donnacha O’Brien, it was O’Brien who grabbed a brilliant second to Boydell at round three.
Barring disaster James McCluskey will be crowned Masters Champion at Castlewellan, James having scored two wins and a second. The Masters Class in 2008 has been one of the best supported with in access of 40 riders taking part in each of the three races so far. The ‘quiet man’ of the Epic Club, Rory Walsh holds second in the points table to McCluskey with Peter O’Farrell ready to capitalise on any disasters falling on the top two in the table. Having only competed in two rounds, Mark Allen is in fourth overall, the English rider, now based in Swords, being one of the strongest riders on the circuit. Both Andrew Newman and Fergal Kilkenny could snatch second or third overall should results go their way.
The King of Cool, from Cooley, Aidan McDonald has all but wrapped up the Vets Class with two wins and a second place. The class for the golden oldies has also attracted superb entries over the first three races. The real battle in the Vets event on Sunday will be for second overall, those in with a chance including Paul McMenamin, Ken Farrar, William Mulligan, Andy Burns and the infamous McCabe duo, Gerry and Johnny. The Sports Mens table is topped by Matt Hicknott on 55 points with Mark Solon a close second on 53; these two should contest the overall win. Other riders in with a chance of glory are Kevin Stanley, Alan Ryan and Sean Connolly. In the Sport Womens Class Rachel Wisdom tops the table from Aisling Corkery, Linda Haug, Nicola Oldham and Julie Watt.
The five Youth Classes will provide the usual mixture of frantic action and screaming parents! In the U-16 Class Matthew Adair and William Boyd will be the main contenders. Find of the season, Robert Anderson should wrap up the U-14 points table with the supporting cast including Chris and Claire Oakley, Dan Runciman and Kyle McEwan. James Curry is the main contender for overall honours in the U-12 class; those hoping to stop him include Conor Nairn, Rachel Mayne, Aimee Ogilby and Joseph Baird. Banbridge duo John Buller and Richard Baird dual for glory in the U-10 event with another Banbridge duo, Stuart Dunlop and Shenna McKiverigan battling for the title in the U-8 class. U-8 and U-10 riders are reminded that their course situated at the Moorish Tower section of the course.
Practice for the final round takes place on Saturday with racing starting on Sunday at 11am with the U-8/U-10 races
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