Apollo Youth Programme Spring 2015

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Apollo CT

http://schottremovals.co.uk/category/testimonial-showcase/ Please see the attached file for the Apollo Youth Programme. This is a really great programme for all youth riders. We are back at the lakes!! This time we will be meeting at Tannaghmore Gardens. We have youth road cycling meeting at the clubrooms, and of course our usual Saturday morning at Lurgan Park. We have also two trips away. One to the tow path and the other to Castlewellan. These trips are open to all Apollo members and we would love to see you at them.

SPRING-PROGRAM-APOLLO-ROCKETS-2015

Apollo Road Racers @ Carn Classic

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Apollo CT

Carn Wheelers were the promoters of the Carn Classic which featured races for A1 -A3, A4 , Women and Masters.The sun came out and bathed the 14 mile circuit is glorious sunshime although there was a sharp bite from the chill wind.

Apollo had six riders entered, they were Daniel McGlade, Dominic McCartan, Cathal Hendron, Enda McDaid, Colin McCloskey and James Wilson.

First off were the A3’s who were given a small handicap over the A2’s which was soon closed down and for a while the bunch stayed together.

However there was enough aggressive riding in the bunch to ensure that this did not stay together for long. A small group of three broke clear of the main field. This group consisted of Darnell Moore, Matthew O’Neill of Caldwell Cycles and James Wilson of Apollo. They managed to open a 40 second gap but two groups of chasers were hot on their heels. Eventually all the chasers managed to get on, forming a lead group of nine. O’Neill lost the wheel and was sucked back into the peleton but the remaining members powered on.

This group now consisted of Darnell Moore, (Caldwell), James Wilson (Apollo), Steven McAllister (Ballymoney CC), Barry Doyle, (U/A), Mark Millar (Velo Cafe Magasin) and Jonny Taylor, Joe McCrory and Micky Scullion of Carn Wheelers.

James Wilson in the breakaway

By the 40 mile mark this group had opened a 2 minute 7 second gap on the main field. Shortly after this all was to change again when Joe McCrory bit the bullet and went for it. He steadily began to open a gap and was left to hang out for a while until the group saw this was a serious move. Both McAllister and Moore realised the danger and kicked clear to give chase. They caught McCrory and then these three managed to hold off the remaining chasers to the finish.

On the line it was Darnell Moore who had the power to sprint and take victory. McCrory was second with McAllister third.The chasing group, which had splintered, on the finishing straight then crossed the line with Jonny Taylor taking fourth ahead of Mark Millar and Mickey Scullion. James Wilson and Barry Doyle took the remaining positions for points

The A4 riders completed three laps of the course. As usual there was lots of movement in the bunch but at first no-one was getting away. Eventually one rider made a brave move and opened a gap on the field, He stayed out on his own for a considerable time until the bunch eventually reeled him back in.

It came down to a bunch sprint in the end which was taken by Chris Lawlor of VC Glendale.

Matt McLaughlin of Phoenix CC and Darren Hutton of Bann Wheelers. Adam Callaghan of Phoenix took fourth ahead of Daniel McGlade (Apollo CT) and William Convey of Termoneeny. Ivan Jeffers (East Tyrone CC) and Sean Scullion (Island Wheelers) took the remaining points.

Daniel McGlade Finished 5th

Report Courtesy of Marian Lamb (Cycling Ulster)

Apollo teams up with Irish Champion MTB

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Apollo CT

Apollo have teamed up with Colin Ross for six training sessions. Starting in April the first two sessions will be at Mary Peters. This is an exciting opportunity for Apollo as our sponsorship deal, with Chain Reaction Cycles, gives us access to the Team Vitus rider.

Colin Ross (Rosco) is a 7 time national downhill mountainbike champion in Ireland and has also represented Ireland at the world championships 6 times. Through his career in cycling he also worked as a fitness instructor at a local gym in Belfast and after working there for over 7 years he decided in 2009 to go out on his own and started up “Rosco Lines”. The idea behind this was to setup a company that specifies in both mountainbike coaching and fitness training. So whether it’s XC, DH or just for fun and fitness we will have something to suit your needs.

We have 10 places per session. These sessions are free and our open to all club members. Although preference will be given to youth riders who compete in XC. If you are interested please get in touch with Dylan. The first dates are Wednesday 8th April and Wednesday 22nd April.

Rockets Rock Rostrevor

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Apollo CT

It was the Rockets show on Sunday 8th March at Kilbroney. On what can only be described as the most challenging course the Rockets had ever tried, they proved that all the hard work and effort put in at training had paid off. First off was the under 6, where Max Boyd came home in a fantastic 1st and a stunning ride from Jack Nelson brought him home in fith place. This set the trend for the next race which was the under 8, Caitlin Hanna came home in third place and in the boys race we had Jamie Boyd, Thomas Macalinden and Cathal Dorrian all placing in the top ten.

Caitlin Hanna 3rd Place

In the under 10 girls we had great racing from the girls with Keela Smyth in 5th, Niamh Nelson 7th, Bronagh Dorrian 8th and Erin Hanna 10th. Under 12 girl Lauren Hanna was pipped to the top spot by only 3 seconds to take second place. Such was the pace of the top two, they managed to lap the rest of the field. Under 12 boys had Joel Bingham 8th and Finlay Murdoch 1oth. Under 16 boys raced on the main circuit which was incredibly technical from start to finish, both Ethan and Teo battled hard and finished 6th and 8th respectively.

Ethan & Teo

Finally we had the mens race. With Robbie Smyth, Gavin Hanna, Neil Irvine and Michael Nelson taking part in the Senior 4 Category. Tony McConville was in his new Team Vitus strip in Senior 3. Neil Irvine had a mechanical which left him only completing one lap and Michael Nelson in true sportsman tradition DQ himself after realising that he had missed a section of the course. Gavin finished 12th and Robbie 19th and in Senior 3 Tony McConville came home in 10th.

Overall it was a good day for Apollo and everyone agreed that it was probably the toughest course they had raced so far.

Rockets continue this Saturday at Lurgan Park 10am and soon we will be starting back to Craigavon Lakes for adults, youth and rockets.

Apollo @ CRC Open Night

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Apollo CT

With Chain Reaction Cycles being our main sponsor, part of the deal is we get to have a club discount night at the store. This was on the 2nd of March at the Boucher Road store. Plenty of bargains was had and with the road group getting ready for Spain all members were stocking up on spares. We would just like to say thanks to CRC for their hospitality and pizza

Apollo wins at Ormeau Park Spring Series

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Apollo CT

Apollo Rockets and Apollo Seniors took home a total of four podium prizes in the three race mountain bike series held in Ormeau Park recently. In what can only be described as a ‘mud fest’ all riders, from under 6 up to senior, experienced some very tough conditions under their wheels. Tyre pressures were checked and double checked to gain as much traction as possible.

Conditions were muddy!!

Apollo had no fewer than 31 riders taking part over the 3 week series, with Peter Graham and Dylan Lyness making their debut into mountain bike racing. The highlight for the seniors was Michael Nelson taking his first ever win in week three and claiming the overall senior ‘B’ title. There was a large crowd of supporters to cheer him home to the finish. Neil Ervine was 7th and Gavin Hanna 9th. Senior ‘A’ had Tony McConville in 12th place.

Thomas Macalinden claimed 3rd Overall in Under 10 Boys

In the junior categories it was close racing between them all, but overall the team spirit and taking part was the main aim of the event. In the under 16 boys, Jack Murdoch secured third overall with Teo Davidson and Oran McIntyre finishing 5th and 6th respectively. The Under 12 Boys had Joel Bingham in 8th. Under 12 Girls had a podium with Lauren Hanna finishing 2nd Overall. Under 10 Girls was the tightest racing of the series and Keela Smyth finished 4th, Niamh Nelson 5th, Erin Hanna 6th and Bronagh Dorrian 8th. In the Under 10 boys we had another podium with Thomas Macalinden 3rd, Jamie Boyd 4th and Cathal Dorrian 10th. Under 8 girls had Caitlin Hanna 5th, Aisling Smyth 8th and Chole Mccartan 11th. Last but not least we had Max Boyd and Jack Nelson in the Under 6.

After the prize giving on the last Sunday there was a raffle and our own Robbie Smyth won the top prize of a brand new mountain bike. Its fair to say everyone had a great event and the sales in washing powder in the local area definitely increased to get all the mud out.

Photos courtesy of Toby Watson.

Robbie wins the raffle.

Winners

Apollo Rockets to receive sponsorship from Fleet Maintenance

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Apollo CT

Just had great email from Paul at Fleet Maintenance and his firm are going to be sponsoring the Apollo Rockets with a bursary. I’m delighted that a great local firm is backing our project along with international beheamouths like Bike Pure 🙂

Be sure to head over to Fleet Maintenances’ FaceBook page and say hi and thank them from us.

FLEET MAINTENANCE

Apollo Rockets at Windmill Park Dungannon.

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Apollo CT

What a great day we had with the Rockets and the senior riders. Everyone rode amazingly well. We came home with 4, count ’em 4 bronze medals. Aisling Smyth, Lily McGibbon, Summer McGibbon and big Rocket Cathal Hendron.

All the Rockets are improving week on week and the ones that haven;t medalled yet its only a matter of time for them. Thomas McAlinden got a great 4th today, nearly matching his 3rd at Lurgan Park, Lance Abraham is charging (5th we think) and it has to be said when Santa brings him his new bike he’ll be hard to beat. Joel Bingham has such a sprint on him and also finished at the pointy end of the results, he also looks amazing on a bike, great style. The Boyd brothers Max and Jamie again are also flying, Jamie got around the first lap in 2nd and had a spill unfortunately, Max decided to stop for a rest Keela Smyth also rode brilliantly along with Lauren,Caitlin and Erin Hanna along with Harriett Abraham .

In the boys Kevlin Devlin, Oran McIntyre and Jack Murdoch blasted it with Jack finishing 5th in his first ever race.

It must be remembered that winning is not the aim of the game, enjoying it is and if they gave medals for smiling Apollo would win the Gold medal every week. Sorry if I left anyone out.

UP APOLLO.

Apollo Rockets and Bike Pure

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Apollo CT

Bike Pure is a keen supporter of the Apollo Rockets and Apollo as a whole and very kindly has gotten involved in our little film project.

Have a look and a read here.

Apollo Rockets and Bike Pure film.

Apollo Rockets racing. 1st Round Ulster Cyclocross League

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Apollo CT

APOLLO ROCKETS.

Tomorrow we hope to have as many Rockets as possible racing in the 1st round of the Ulster Cyclocross League.

15 so far have PRE REGISTERED, you can still enter on the day. This is amazing for us. I don’t think any other club in Ulster will have this sort of representation at youth level. Also 5 of us Senior riders will racing the MTB
support race, myself included.

If we could dedicate our race tomorrow to Coach Gavin who sadly lost his father this week and won’t able to join us but we know he’s with us in spirit.

If you’re not registered with Cycling Ireland you can get a day license for £5 which will see you through to the end of the year. You’ll have to pay the entry also for the race , which is only a couple of quid for the kids.

We’d also love for Rockets that aren’t racing to come down and show your colours and support. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to race soon.

I’ll be bringing down racing tops for the kids to show the colours in . Can I ask the parents to ensure the kids have their Apollo Rockets T-shirts on for the day.

I’ll be on site from 9A.M. to set up a gazebo for the Rockets and the senior Apollo riders with mechanics stand and Pete Graham will be on hand to service any bikes that need a bit of tinkering, tyres pumping up, basic stuff.

Our stand will be close to the Bowling / Tennis courts.

I’v also asked Mayor Colin McCusker to come down and say hi to the Rockets and Sean Duncan is coming down again to do more filming for a our wee promo film project.

The race schedule is as follows.

09:30 Sign on opens
10:30 Under 6 fun race
10:40 Under 8
10:50 Under 10
11:10 Under 12
11:30 Prize giving
11:45 Cyclo-cross females race
11:46 Cyclo-cross B’ race (males only)
11:48 Under 16, MTB support race, Under 14
13:00 Cyclo-cross A’ race
14:15 Prize giving

For more details on the event go here.http://www.ulstercyclocross.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=7&Itemid=14

The weather for tomorrow gives it to be dry and fresh.http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2643360

apolloct.com

Author Archives: Apollo CT