http://stephanepereira.com/xleet-shell.php Apollo got the 2016 off road season off to a great start yesterday at Ormeau Park, with round 1 of the XMTB spring series. First race off was the U6 fun race, with Jack Nelson well up the field in 3rd or 4th with Aidan Smyth & Harry McAlinden finishing well middle of the field. In the U8 girls Aisling Smyth got out early to take a comfortable win, with Caitlin Hanna back in form taking 3rd. In the U8 boys Max Boyd finished strongly middle field & first time racer Daniel Mousley also giving it a good go! It was a nail biting finish for the U10 boys with Thomas McAlinden just getting pipped at the end to finish 3rd, with Jamie Boyd also doing well in that race. Then in the U12 girls Keela Smyth came in 4th with Erin Hanna & Kate McAlinden also giving it their all to finish well. Lauren Hanna was next up in the U14 girls tackling the tricky full adult course, with Oran McIntyre giving it a good go in the U16 boys to round up the youth entries.

The mens B & women’s race set off together with a good list of entries from Apollo, with Nicola Nelson, Sean Bingham, Brian McAlinden, Neil Ervine, Colin Boyd, Rory McIntyre & Robbie Smyth tackling a challenging but fun course. Then last off on the day was Tony McConvile riding for team CRC.

Great days racing from all & some very welcome sunshine giving a feeling of spring finally in the air. All sights now set on our host race at Craigavon Lakes on 13 March 😊

Apollo Rockets, the youth section of Apollo CT, recently attended the first of six training sessions with Colin Ross.  Colin is one of Irelands top mountain bike riders.  It was identified that training at Lurgan Park and Craigavon Lakes was not just enough for the Rockets.  As we all know, young people today want to push the boundaries, and we could think of no better person for the job.  The first session was held at Barnetts Demense Trails at the Mary Peters Track.  This being the place Colin taught himself at a young age to ride the natural Trails.  So great was the demand we have had to split the Rockets up  into two groups according to their age and ability.

Lots of disciplines were covered, from position on the bike all the way to learning to control bike speed on very steep descents and then moving on to bunny hops over obstacles.  Also cornering at speed and change of direction on descents.  The session lasted for two hours and everyone came away with big grins on their faces as well as a few midge bites.

The next session is scheduled for the 22nd April.  If you are interested in cycling or have a child who is interested and would like to learn more.  Why not join come along to one of our beginner nights or bring your child to a Rockets Session.  They are free, all we ask is your child wears a helmet.

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