LURGAN CRIT by Allister McSorley
It was a warm and calm Friday evening in lurgan town, I knew this was going to be one hell of a race and with some big names there like Martyn Irvine, Glenn Kinning, Simon Williams and the McAlister brothers I knew my legs were going to get a kicking. When i signed on i noticed that the first prime after 15 minutes was reserved for 3rd cats, I thought i was in with a chance of this as I was feeling strong. 
We lined up on the race, Apollo was well representd with myself, Enda McDaid, Tony Haire and Cathal Hendron. We set off on a neutralised first lap (neutralised by Simon Williams!!). As soon as the flag dropped the speed went up by a fierce amount and was a shock to many people. The first five laps was probably some of the fastest racing I have done in years, throwing the bike into the tight and twisting corners with full commitment and then out of the saddle stomping on the pedals feeling the burn in the legs.
As the attacks went in, the weaker riders went out. Coming up to the bell for the first prime i found that i was the only thrid category rider left in the bunch so i just made my way up the group to take the prime, happy days a bit of pocket money picked up. After that, the big guns turned up to volume 11! I slipped off the back and pressed on as best i could, Cathal came past me but was too fast for me to jump on his wheel. I was riding on my own for the rest of the race but the massive crowd was great and kept cheering every rider and was a real encouragement. I crossed the line on my own with a smile on my face knowing id ridden hard and enjoyed it!
Cathal had a great race winning the Veterans catergory, Tony and Enda retired from the race after having put in a superb effort in a race that a lot of people did not enter as they were intimidated by it!
West Down GP by Allister McSorley
Myself, Tony Hare and Campbell Armstrong headed to Katesbridge for the west down wheelers grand prix. It was to be 50 miles over the fast hilly circuit. As the race went on the pace was fast, with no first or second category riders everyone was out to try and sneak a result! There were frequent attacks and some hard riding at the front of the group. When a significant break got away I tried to bridge the gap a few times but I just didn't have the legs on the hills, Tony and i tried putting in an attack at one point but the bunch wasn't havin any of it and reeled us in. A breakaway stayed clear until the finish which left 6th place up for grabs and resulted in a very fast finish on the bumpy roads, the way some of the riders were riding in the closing stages with on coming traffic it was inevitable that a crash was going to happen, and sure enough in the final straight there was that recognisable clatter of bikes. Tony and I finished safely in the top half of the bunch. Adrian Finnegan of Banbridge CC was unfortunate to break his collarbone in the crash, we wish him a speedy recovery!
Lanzarote MTB race
Fred McSorley reports from his MTB adventure
Last year was the first time I competed in these events in Lanzarote and I enjoyed both the race and subsequent mtb week so much that I was determined to return and give it another go this year. The events are based at Club La Santa, a sports village in the northern tip of Lanzarote.
Accommodation is priced per apartment and as the smallest apartments can accommodate up to three adults travelling alone is not the cheapest option. The complex provides free use of Cannodale F5 bikes, helmet, pump and bottle carriers and all repairs required keep you happy and you can hire spare tube and levers for (a refundable) 7 euros. I advise bringing your own helmet and spd pedals. You can bring your own bike but when you factor in the transport costs plus any damage that may occur (the island trails are at times very rocky) I feel it makes more sense just to ride one of their Cannodales.
Fred leads the bunch.
You can enter for either day of the race or the entire 2 day event. The Saturday is a 30 km loop and the Sunday a different course of 60 kms in length. The terrain is surprisingly varied despite the volcanic landscape and anyone who has been to Lanzarote before and is sceptical of its potential for off road riding just has to enter the race or take part in the superb mtb week to realise there is fantastic off road cycling to be had in this island.
I recommend the combined mountain bike week and race entry package as remarkably good value for money. Your 70 euros gets you free entry for the 2 stage race plus the week’s organised mtb outings and a goodie bag loaded with energy bars, protein drinks, 2 water bottles and a LOOK cycling top (60 euros worth!) and a booklet of the islands top cycling routes (including the famous Ironman cycle route) not to mention the official race and La Santa mtb week tee shirts. The good news this year was the half price deal on offer so I only paid 35 euros in total!!
I arrived on the Thursday and registered for the mtb week the following morning meeting the instructors Claus Jorgensen , Christian Neilson and Sue Clarke at the bike centre in the complex. Claus has a huge knowledge of both mtb and road cycling in Lanzarote and has several impressively fast Ironman finishes to his credit. Christian is a very experienced off road cyclist who is a natural teacher and has a wonderful sense of humour. He is a demon on the fast downhill sections. Sue Clarke has a wealth of international mtb/cyclocross experience. We were also joined by Ian Wilkinson (second in the 3 peaks, top results in mtb and road cycling) an awesome climber!. So the instructors were top rate and the pupils a dozen of mixed ability and age. Club La Santa is a Danish run organisation and the language thankfully is English and attracts many national teams for training camps. You get to meet some very fit people!.
Friday’s day run was a simple pre race spin of about 35 kms and a good introduction to anyone new to cycling off road in Lanzarote to get a flavour of the race at the weekend ahead.
Saturday was race day. You need a Spanish License (10 euros paid on the day) and you hire a timing chip which is mounted on the front wheel quick release. (cost 25 euros and refundable). The race started with the 100+ riders controlled by a lead car for the 1km tarmac section leading to the off road course then straight into race mode with a long gentle climb into the nearby hills. Weather was good (racing in shorts and sleevless top in January sunshine is a great feeling !). The first rider in trouble sitting at the side of the track turned out to be Paul Agnew (Madigan) mending the first of his three punctures! Paul has been living in Lanzarote for over a year now and works in the bike centre at Club La Santa. He is a great guy, ever cheerful, immensely helpful and keen to see cyclists from Ireland experience the on and off road cycling that Club La Santa has to offer. About 3 km into the race I twisted a chain link and as the chain skipped repeatedly on the cassette I eventually stopped and spent several minutes identifying it and bending it into shape again. After that the chain occasionally jumped on the cassette but only on the climbs. The trails were varied with rocky paths sandy sections (likewise and go light on the bars) and some lung bursting climbs with impressive downhill sections. A full suspension bike would be easier and more comfortable but interestingly most of the top ten runners used carbon fibre hard tails. End of day one had me lying 57th out of 84 and fourth in the over 50’s class.
I reported the chain problem to the guys in the bike centre and they replaced not only the chain and cassette but fitted new cranks, chainrings and bottom bracket as the chain set was well worn! Great to have this sorted by skilled mechanics at no cost to you and never a worry about damaging your own bike during the racing.
Sunday was again a mass start with a 2.5 km controlled road section to start the 60 km off road section. Weather was cooler (arm warmers on) and windy. Overnight rain left some large pools in the desert sand and clay sections. The bike performed well despite tired forks and I had one fall (onto sand thankfully and not the sharp rocks that abound). The last section was a drag across a sandy track into a strong facing wind for several miles which was a struggle but I was pleased to finish well which meant an overall placing of 43rd with third in the over 50’s class for the second year running. A great race superbly organised with road marshals, motorcycle police for the off /on road intersections and ambulances and water feed sections on the course. Ian Wilkinson finished second overall and Sue Clarke picked up the ladies prize so the instructors on the mtb week live up to the hype.
Post race meeting provided a hot meal and a 20 euro prize for third in class!
Monday. Back to the mtb week and in recognition of the tired legs syndrome a 40 km ride to the Fire Mountains all off road.
Tuesday took us further a field with a 50 km ride to the local national park (lava fields and some serious climbing)
Wednesday was the big ride of the week . A 5 hour ride around the hills of Femes. Sadly yours truly chickened out and had a day’s rest as the legs were like rubber at this stage!.
Thursday and final day of the mtb week. A 45 km ride over more mountains down to sea level and some impressive descents to a shore trail back to the complex. A sunny day with light winds and great feeling cycling like this in the first week of February!. Back intime for lunch then pack up and catch the last flight home to Belfast.
Would I recommed this as an ideal winter mtb break .. without hesitation. Bring your wife/partner and she can enjoy pilates, yoga, swimming and stretch and relax classes as you cycle in the sunshine.
The Danish youth cycle team were there training every day and La Santa organises excellent bike weeks for roadies. It is a haven for triathletes and I recommend you consider it if you can.
Fred MacSorley
Chairman Apollo Cycling Club
Apollo rider Allister MacSorley recently took part in the British University Mountain bike championships held at the UK bike park in dorset, England.
Allister who studys Sports Therapy was representing [Apollo & ] University of Worcester in the West Midlands of England. The race took place on a very hot day with many riders suffering from dehydration and sunburn, and the UK bike park had mapped out a very tough cross country course with no room for let up at all.
Allister lined up for the top class championship race along with 319 other UK students, many of the riders from National Squads and semi pro teams. Allister fought his way through the race to finish a very respectable 65th position, the race being won by elite rider Lee Williams who races for the British mountain bike team! None the less its a bench mark for next years race which is to be held in scotland.
Well Done Ali - you did us proud mate !!!!