Irish Cyclocross Champs, Tymon Park, Co. Dublin – Sun 6th Jan 2008

Well, I can finally say that my 2007 season is over, rounded off nicely with a 3rd place at the National Cyclocross Championships.
I am really happy with this result as there was real competition for the bronze medal. There would probably have been above 5 riders in with a shout of bronze, but I keep the head down over Christmas and I was in good form going into the race.
The gold and silver positions were really ever going to be contested by 2 riders, Pro MTB Rider Robin Seymour and Pro Road man Roger Aiken, so 3rd was the main goal.
The course was a mixed bag, some real nice fast straights and corners, and then some silly tight slow singletrack(?). I got a good start, straight into singletrack (why I don’t know). Rodger immediately got a gap, going from the gun, with Philip Roche in 2nd, commonwealth games competitor Lewis Ferguson in 3rd and Robin and I in 4th/5th. Robin got away in the 2nd singletrack and I disposed of Lewis and caught Philip by the end of the 1st lap. Real fast at this stage and not much tactics, 100% everywhere.

I attacked Philip on the 3rd lap and got a good gap, and increased it to 2 minutes by the end of the race.
Roger got the win from Robin, a great result. To be fair, Rodger was flying! Congrats to both of them.
My bike was real nice too, I got a pair of Zipp 303s with tubs, big difference. I also tidied it up with new bars/stem/seat post/saddle/drivechain….felt great. Thanks to Mark and Kevin for making all this happen, all contributes to the good result.

Thanks to promoting club IMBRC for a great event, now I have to come back next year and defend the bronze, ohhhh the pressure!

Phil and I do Battle

Roger takes the win

Robin in 2nd

Philip in 4th

Report
http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_2768.shtml

Images
http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_2769.shtml

Cyclo-cross Nationals Preview

I am really looking forwad to the cyclocross nationals on sunday.Favorites for the title have to be Robin or Roger. Both are fresh back from a hectic shedule in Belgium, so they should be fired up. Also acing in Belgium is Phil Roche, and he will be gunning for the bronze medal. There will be a few of us going for the medals, and the racing should be real good.....watch this space!
I got the cross bike going well now, Zipp 303 cross wheels with tufos tubs are a go, should be worth a couple of second a lap.

woohoo, my first ever poster appearance!

Cross bike ready to go

TC Racing Cyclo-cross , Virginia , Co. Cavan - 30th Dec 2007

Twas the night befofe new years, and not a cross rider was stiring.....well, not quite. All the top men were off racing in Belgioum, do I had an easy enough run in this pre-nationals test. The course was very slow, heavy going in the soft ground, and a bit to technical for the conditions. But Alan and Tom of TC Racing put on a good show in hte beautiful grounds of the Park Hotel.
The race itslf was pretty uneventful. Steve Franzoni took the early lead, but I soon overtook him and put the head down to take the win. Steve rolled in 2nd and MTB legend Rory Walsh took the remaining podium spot, with IMBRC rider Luke Manning taking 4th. Nationals next week, cant wait.