K Capital Cup Round 2, Rostrevor, Co. Down - 25th March 2007

I had a good race in the KCC # 2 at the weekend. Great course (a little short @ 4km, 18min/lap for me), savage 1km straight up fireroad climb, followed by incredible single track, another short fireroad climb, lots more singletrack to the finish. Master and experts started together, I got a great start, I lead through on the 1st lap, and was passed on lap 2 by Peter O. I was about 20 seconds back starting the last lap, put in a hugh effort on the descent, attacked on the kicker fireroad, took the lead and the win. I now lead the overall series, and I will be sporting the KCC leaders jersey for the next round!
Niall Davis of IMBRC took the win in the Elites, Robin Seymour came in 4th after a broken chain left him playing catch-up.


I like this image, courtesy of Craig Brady photography. I am in the middle ring here, so its mid race, I big ringed it on the last 2 laps!

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cyclingnews
xcracer.com
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cyclingnews
mtbleague

K Capital Cup Round 1, Kilruddery, Co. Wicklow - 11th March 2007

The first race of the season! Very early in the year, the K Capital Cup is a four race series early season series that concludes at the end of April. I will be racing in the masters class for this series as I have very little training done.
I only got in from Gran Canaria at midnight on Saturday last night, and I was a bit tired. I also only took delivery of my new race bike, a 2007 Rocky Mountain Vertex. I had to build it up on the morning of the race too.
Kilruddery is a classic site for a XC MTB race, and as Robin Seymour designed the course, it was not one bit boring.
The course was long, 8km, and conditions proved very slippery, not helped by my stock slick tyres. I got a poor start, and I was all over the place, strugging for grip. Disaster struck on the first lap, a puncture (waiting for UST wheels/tyres to be delivered). I fixed it in ~ 3mins, used the new 'inovative products' inflator (team sponsor), great little thing. Anyway, I was now at the back of the field, and it takes me the whole race to move up through and eventually I finish 3rd, not bad all things considering. Very annoyed with my tyre choice, but we'll have that sorted for the next race.
Robin Seymour takes the win in the elites from UK rider Aidrain Lansley, very exciting stuff. Roll on round # 2. My Teammate Paddy Daly put in a solid ride to take 11th in the Elites.

Big angry head on me here, fighting back after the puncture.

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Training Trip to Gran Canaria - 3rd March 2007

Ahhh, the annual pilgrimage to our winter getaway, Gran Canaria, a volcanic island off the coast of Morocco. Leaving Irelands 4 degrees with horizontal rain to be greeted with 27 degrees and wall to wall sunshine, all I need to get motivated for the season ahead.
I rode every day, Saturday to Saturday, most days Niall Quinlan and I drove high into the hills and set out on our 4 hours spin, lots of new incredible singletrack, including Sand people, Altavista, Dos Lolitas, Pico del las Nieves, and, of course, Lord of the rings!
Back to the beech at Puerto Mogan to relax with or wives, it does not get much better than this!
We got back late on Saturday 10th, and I had to collect my new bike from Paddy for the race the next day, very exciting week really!

The islands landmark 'Rogue Nubleo' at 1800m elevation

Niall on Altravista, oh what a track!!!!!

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picasaweb

Santa Cruz Stata Cyclo Cross championships 2007, Watsonville, California - 14th Janurary

While I was over in California with work, I took in the 2007 Santa Cruz Stata Cyclo Cross championships. I borrowed a bike and set off with the 'A' riders. I was very jetlagged, and struggled around on the very fast, dry course (except for one shlopmy bit). Got 3rd in my race, but the numbers were very low and the competition not that good. I'm sure I would have won it without the jetlag! Anyway, good race, and thanks to the SC lads for the hospitality.

Report
http://ncncacxpr.blogspot.com/2007/01/santa-cruz-county-cyclocross.html

World CycloCross Championships 2007, Hooglede-Gits, Belguim - 27th -> 29th Janurary 2007

I was spectating at this race, not riding! 7 of us set out to spectate, we stayed in the beautiful Brugge, a short train trip to the race venue. We decided to watch the U23 race n the Saturday from the comfort of an Irish pub, with a large screen and some excellent Belgian beer. The next day we rose with our hangovers, onto the train with the 30,000 other spectators and headed for the venue. We existed the train onto the purpose built platform (no kidding), and squeezed our way into the course.
Amazing setup, huge beer tents full of people. We got our spot on the course 3 hours before the race, right on the tape. The main race, Elite Men, was v fast, and the Belgians were going nuts when their man won. Great to see the American in second spot.
Back to Brugge for some more excellent beers, and then flew home the next day, to recover!

Big crowds at the slippy climb

Report
http://www.cyclingnews.com/cross/2007/jan07/CXworlds07/
Images
http://picasaweb.google.com/joemccall/Cross_worlds_2007

Cyclocross National Champs 2006, Banbridge - Janurary 7th 2007

Felt good for this race. Got the new team gear the day before, and it seen its first race here. The cross champs are always competitive, and the technical course suited me. Got a great start, and was in the top 5 right frm the start. The top guys just rode away, and by mid race I was a very comfortable 4th. Then, a puncture halted my progress mid race, I limped back to the pits, got a new wheel and set out again. I was now back in 8th place, but a stong last couple of lasp got me back up to 5th, not too bad considering. A gold in the team prize topped off a great day.
Robin Seymour won from a flying Roger Aiken, with Lewis Ferguson in third.

Pudner!

Report
http://mtbireland.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=2
Images
http://www.cycleseen.com/IrishCC060107/pages/IrishCC%20Champs%20060107%2013.html
http://picasaweb.google.com/davidgill/CrossChamps2007/photo#5017413635206562210

EXTX christening, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow - 17th December 2006

First day out on the new training bike, a 2007 Rocky Mountain EXTX 50. We set out from Paul Coynes house with Team WORC and rode all the way to the top Mulacor, via some excellent trails overlooking Glendalough. Next we went down then top of the Spinx and onto the miners trail, our first time to ride it! This Amazing trail leads down to the back of the upper lake in Glendalough, and the bike handled the rough sections towards the end very well.

The new X bike

Robin on the miners trail

Images
http://picasaweb.google.com/joemccall/RM2007Xbike
http://picasaweb.google.com/joemccall/TeamWORCMTBSpinDec2006GlendaloughIreland