Tuesday 24 July 2007

Irish National Championships, Newcastle, Co. Down – Sun 22nd July 2007

This was the big race, the Nationals! This was the one that I HAD to win this year. I had been racing since the start of march, and I was feeling tired going into the race.
2 laps on Saturday revealed a mixed course. The whole climb was a fast fireroad, all big ring. This would suit me well, being a big guy and all! The descent back to the finish was a mixed bag, technical and off camber for the first half, fast and flowy for the second half. The rain we have had for the last 8 weeks finally stayed away for race week, leaving a drying course with some slippy sections to keep it interested/dangerous.
My main rivals were all there, Peter O’Farrel, looking fit from his adventure racing, a recovered Gordon Lucas, and ex world cup elites Craig Brady and Don Travers making a return to racing.
Race day, and from the gun I took the lead, I had a good gap going into the descent only to be held up by a load of experts!! A couple of falls, and a burped tyre were cause for concern, but I soldiered on. I caught the Yvain Sogno (lead expert + 1 min) by the end of lap 2, and we stayed together until the last lap when I put the hammer down on the descent.
All in all, an easy win. Congrats to Peter in 2nd and Niall Q in 3rd, great racing there.
Also, well done to Elite winner Robin Seymour, his 15th straight title! Robin was in a class of his won, taking the win from Niall Davis and Irish # 2 roadman Roger Aiken.
I am very happy to retain my title, as it was the # 1 goal for the year. Now I can concentrate on the Maters Worlds in France in August, cant wait.

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Giving it loads on the fireroad climb


Tech descents ruled the course!

Another tech drop!

Olympic hopefuls, Robin and Niall, battle it out!

Friday 13 July 2007

NPS # 7 (final), Tymon Park, Co. Dublin – Sun 8th July 2007

Well, the first non-shlompy race in a while. Wow, what a course, pancake flat (apart from one hump), but probably 80% singletrack, this race was fast, fast, fast, suited me down to the ground. I got a great start, into the singletrack second behind Team WORC rider Dave Gill. I pulled away from everyone during the race, I really was flying. The course was so good, tight singletrack, slippy corners, real fast.
I took the win easily, catching all the experts (+1) min, and up to 4th in the Elites (+3 mins). I’m very happy with that considering the nature of the course. The win secured the overall win in the NPS, winning 5 out of 5!
We also took part in the Team Relay on the Saturday. Team Rocky Mountain consisted of Myself, Mark and Padzer,. Great fun, and 5th overall was a nice bonus.
Well done to the IMBRC for putting on an excellent show. Dave Barry designed an excellent course, and he promises more for next year, cant wait!
I will be hoping to retain my XC Masters title in the Nationals Champs next weekend. The race is been held in the excellent venue of Tullymore Park in Co. Down.

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The tight, flat course provided great racing

IMBRC rider and race director, Dave Barry, took 3rd in the race and 2nd overall (expert category)



Overall Expert winner, Yvain Sogno, is tracked by race winner Philip Roche
Ryan Sherlock took the overall win in the Elite category

Monday 2 July 2007

NPS # 6, Douce Woods, Co. Wicklow – Sun 1st July 2007

This should have been the most amazing course, but 6 weeks of almost persistent rain turned the incredible trails in a muddy mess! Now, it wasn’t that bad, but there were some very tricky bits. I think the last time I finished a race that muddy was Ballyduff in 1991!!!
I got the holeshot into the first singletrack (again), and had about 15 seconds at the end of the first descent! I increased the lead throughout the race too. I caught all the experts (+3 mins), but none of the elites (+7 mins), maybe next time!
The new element, in only its second race, got well hammered. A dip in the river on lap 2 and 3 was needed to clean up the drivetrain and keep things smooth. Its gagging to be raced on a fast dry course. My closest rivals did not get results today, Damo was running the event, Peter O was off doing an outdoor challenge event, and Gordon L failed to finish. This result has moved me into 1st overall in the league, only one race left, so it should be a nail biter.
Well done to all of the Epic team for putting on a great show in difficult conditions.The last round of the NPS is next weeknd, 8th July in a flat prk in the Dublin suburbs. It should be very fast, flat 7km circuit with 80% singletrack! Get the hardtail out?



The steep climb back to the finish, hard in the mud!



Some of the trails held up real well

While others were almost unrideable!