Davagh Enduro and Youth
Enduro 2017
Event report: Davagh Enduro and Youth Enduro Event
Date: 24th
and 25th June 2017
Venue: Davagh Forest, Broughderg
Report compiled by: Michael Regan
Introduction
Davagh Enduro claimed the Mountain Bike NI award for
best MTB event in 2014. It was also a runner up for 2015 and 2016. During these events we introduced the youth
enduro to cater for young riders and give them an introduction to the
Enduro format and timing.
This year we decided to change the running format with
Adults riding on the Saturday and Kids on the Sunday. In addition to
this we changed some of the stages to level the field a bit.
Adult Enduro Saturday 24th June
2017
Event weekend normally starts on the friday with course
taping and set up. With the course set up all we had to do was turn
on the timing system on the morning of the event. We once again used
the air timing system. A much appreciated addition to the event, this
state of the art timing system where rider’s times are clocked over
a rolling start and finish.
Registration and bike scrutiny took place by the Mech
Monkeys mechanics in the morning and riders were presented with their
event T-Shirts and the all importance timing chips.
Good weather in the build up to the event and on race
weekend was a nice welcome.
The weather conditions on the day were perfect and the
event atmosphere was apparent with the forest full of smiling
mountain bikers.
All stages were marshalled top and bottom and our event
medical team were on stand-by should they be needed. Like any
adrenaline fuelled high tempo event there is the odd spill here and
there. Mountain bikers are a tough breed and thankfully our
professional medics were not needed too often.
Radio and phone signals
The signal for using both radio communication and mobile
phones is weak within the forest for this reason marshals are
stationed at the top and bottom of each stage and a roaming marshal
between stages throughout the entire event. With a few broken bikes
and bodies this was used on a few occassions to ferry the riders back
to the car park to save them a long walk back.
Event round up
As the roaming marshal, doing the circuit of the event I
was encouraged by the smiling faces and obvious enjoyment being had
all around the course both by the contestants but also the many
spectators getting into the spirit of the day.
Some of the sections were designed to really push the
riders out of their comfort zone whilst keeping it manageable for
those new to the sport.
Stage 1 and 4 started with a natural section leading
into a pedal-fuelled middle spot on Beleevna trail which finally
split into two very fast flowing descents at wolfs hill and Big Wig
Jig.
Stage 2 started on a fast flowing trail centre trail,
mini table tops, bermed corners kept the pace super fast. The stage
then crossed a fireroad and dropped into a natural section. This
stage ended with two tight switch backs and a small bridge crossing
before the end line. The switch backs had a sneaky racers line that
cut out one of the corners and tested the skills to the max providing
a great and entertaining spectator spot.
Stage 3 was the popular Run Ragley Run trail, short and
fast but requiring full effort.
Stage 4 Continued into Big wig jig fast and flowy trail
before crossing the fire road into the christmas tree run. This
section is a bit more pedal-fueled. It then gets a bit rougher and
steeper through the giants bed. The longest stage of the day and one
that made or broke a riders overall time.
Stage 5 was a short flaf drag with a good spectator spot
at Boundary Rock. It involved fast trail centre sections, climbs and
the ever popular boundary rock, a slab of granite that kept the
pulses racing. A small rock jump and series of falling berms led to
the stage finish.
Stage 6 was the reverse of the trail centre direction on
a short punchy stage.
It is very encouraging to see local mountain bikers on
the podiums and finish with some great results. What was very
apparent was the number of newcomers which was very encouraging for
the sport.
Results
Main Enduro
Female
1st Joanne
McCallum 2nd Claire
Lancashire 3rd Andra
Ungureanu
Newcomer
1st
David Andrews 2nd
Ian Lancashire 3rd Martin
Winters
Junior Men
1st
Adam Stronge 2nd
Edwin Whiteside 3rd Thomas
Burrows
Hardtail
1st David Hodson 2nd Shane
Bradley 3rd Kristian Mullin
Sport
1st Simon
Arbuthnot 2nd Damien
Kearney 3rd Paul
Devlin
Intermediate
1st Stephen
Hutchinson 2nd Colin
McQuillian 3rd Cathal
McMenamin
Pro
1st David
Montgomery 2nd Chris
Sandy 3rd Sean
Bradley
Youth Enduro Sunday 25th June
2017
The weekend started with registration for the young
riders and a bike check from the Mech Monkey mechanics. Once
registered and bike checked the young participants gathered at the
pump track and skills loop. The weather was good and everyone seemed
excited.
We wanted to make this event fun but it also provided an
opportunity for the young riders to learn some new skills and get
something out of it.
Young riders were divided into their age categories and
met their category leaders who guided them to the start points.
Under 14 and under 12 rode 6 full stages and under 10
and under 8 rode the final 3 stages. Race marshals met each race
group at the start and co-ordinated the start intervals . The leaders
rode the stages first and waited for the group to complete the stage
before regrouping and travelling to the next stage together.
Parents were encouraged to take part alongside their
aspiring adrenalin junkies, most parents decided to let the children
get on with it without their supervision with only a few riding at
the back.
Self belief is a massive part of mountain biking and the
spectators were thrilled as they watched the confidence grow in each
rider as the day progressed. Spectators really got into the spirit of
the event filling the forest atmosphere with the sounds of cow bells
usually associated with world championship events.
The families all really helped make the race a memorable
occasion. Once back at the race village the contestants got fed and
watered.
The awards took place to wrap up the weekend’s
action.
Under 8 Girls
1st Zara Lancashire 2nd Anna Morris 3rd Rebekah
Archer
1st Caleb McGreevy 2nd Max Boyd 3rd Tom Welsh
Under 10 Girls
1st Lucy Williams 2nd Hannah Archer
Under 10 Boys
1st Cailan Lancashire 2nd Thomas McAlinden 3rd Aidan
McAleenan
Under 12 Girls
1st Hannah Mullin 2nd Kate McAlinden
Under 12 Boys
1st Callum Morris 2nd Lance Abraham 3rd James Brodison
Under 14 Boys
1st Andrew Croskery 2nd Jacob Wright 3rd Theo
McAleer
Spirit of the Davagh Enduro Award
The Lancashire Family
Fastest youth rider of the day riding under 12's beating the under 14 category.
Well done Callum Morris.
Fastest Female of the Youth Enduro riding under 12's and also finishing in 3rd overall beating the under 14 category. Well Done Hannah Mullin.
Event outcomes
The event has an ever growing list of nationalities that
have taken part through the years. This year we also had a lot of
newcomers or Parents who in previous years brought their children
have returned to give the adult course a go themselves.
Spectators:
The family aspect really worked well, it makes the event
more about the whole family and open for all ages and well as
providing an entertaining spectator vibe.
The programme offered an opportunity for making a
weekend of it and the local camp-sites were fully booked for the
weekend. People staying locally all weekend will have been a
boost to local economy and has further promoted the area as a tourism
destination.
The family friendly atmosphere carried through to the
weekend where we witnessed father -son and mother-daughter podium
wins, highlighting how much this sport is growing. The Spirit of the
Enduro award was awarded to the Lancashire family. All of the family
members got on the podium and the event was a first time racing
experience for the Parents.
Event
facilities:
Catering: At these
events we supply all participants with hot and cold food during and
after the event. Our catering also is open to spectators for a
donation to the events charity partners: £60 was raised and will be
donated along with the event donation to S.T.E.P.S. Mental Health
awarness group.
Industry
presence: Mech Monkey Bike repair supplied bike mechanics for both
events. This was a free service to anyone attending the event.
Acknowledgements
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our
sponsors, helpers and volunteers who have made it possible to run
this event.
Our main Sponsor: Steelweld Fabrications Ltd provided
the unique trophies and superb backing.
Our stage sponsors:
Stage 1 Peter McAleer ltd Omagh,
Stage 2 Blok 51,
Stage 3 Diamond Service Station Draperstown
Stage 4 The Shepherds Rest (Our official Camping
Partner) Sixtowns, Draperstown
Stage 5 The Market Inn Draperstown
Stage 6 Mech Monkey
Thanks are expressed to:
- Ivan Park for his event expertise, co-ordination of the timing system and assistance in running the event
- Marshals who did a fantastic job of keeping riders, safe, up-dated throughout the event and on course.
- The signs, number boards, certificates and podium boards were designed by Jason Devine Blackthorn Designs (Omagh) and printed by Signal Signs (Omagh)
- Catering by Joan Trengove
- Sperrin Bakery ((Meat at Regan's Sausage rolls), buns and cakes and soup rolls.)
- Wilson's Fruit and Veg Bananas
- Volunteers from S.T.E.P.S. for helping with the registration and catering.
- Gary McNamee who supplied tcones for sections of the course.
For Further Information
Contact Michael Regan
Davagh Enduro
Keep up to date on all things Davagh Enduro on our
facebook page.
Results:
Adult Race Saturday 24th June
2017
Youth Race Sunday 25th June
2017
Event Photos:
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