Family Doubles At Cross Champs
It was a family affair at the recent National Cycle Cross Championships in Cork at the weekend where VC Glendale had four riders representing the club and all four riders came back with a medal each.
First up on the Saturday was the youth riders whose championships were incorporated with the senior event for the first time in a number of years. Aine Doherty was the first rider from the club to get racing around the spectacular course set up by De Ronde Van Cork Cycling Club which included a very World Cup style bridge as a main crossing point, Starting as favourite she didn't disappoint and took home the gold medal in the U14 girls event.
Dean Harvey was the next rider from the club to line up in the U16 Boys race, Dean who is only new to the club and proudly wearing the Belgian Bands wasn't under any pressure but expectations of a medal were also expected given his strong showing in this category throughout the cross season. He didn't disappoint and came home in third place for a well deserved bronze medal in a very strong field.
Keeping it in the family Lee Harvey, who came into the champs still recovering from a knee problem, had a tough job in front of him to get onto the podium in a very hard fought junior event which proved to be one of the most exciting races on the day. After some tough hard racing Lee got himself a well earned bronze medal and only seconds from silver, matching his younger brothers efforts a day earlier.
A great result for another of our new members considering his injury problems over the past few weeks.
Last up and in his own words, under pressure to bring home a title to match that of his daughter, was Brendan Doherty, of course he didn't disappoint and led his tight M50 race from first to last lap with a tight margin of only ten seconds over his closest rival Des Woods from Newry .
The Final result rounded off an excellent result for the club and brought some proud reactions from father and daughter double act on Sticky Bottle website read the full article HERE
Doherty said he was thrilled to win, and that he did so only 24 hours after Áine was crowned champion made it extra special.
“I got so much pleasure from winning my first national title on the same weekend Áine moved up and won her first U14 championship,” he said.
For her part, first-year U14 Áine said she was thrilled for herself and for her dad.
“I was delighted to be able to race my first cyclocross national championship and to top it off by winning makes it even better,” she said.
“I’m so proud of my dad for winning his first national championship. I know how much it means to him and how much effort he puts into cyclocross.
“I was so happy that to two of us were able to stand on the podium together.”
