WOW, what a race, by far the best ever held in Ireland. An amazing 8km loop set out by Robin. All our favorite single track with some new bits added in. 15 foreign riders were promised on the start line to add to the competition. This was also the final race in the Irish Olympic qualification so the heat was on!
I picked Kev up on Saturday at 11ish. We helped mark some of the course and rode to practice laps. Kevs loved the course, nice and technical with some real nice fast climbs too. The weather was dry all week so there was very little mud, great stuff.
Sunday came, and I warmed up on XTC to prep the tech skills. Sure enough, there was a good international presence, the UK team, Chech republic, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Wales, Swedan, etc…..all looking very pro. I got a second row grid place based on my previous result, not bad.
I picked Kev up on Saturday at 11ish. We helped mark some of the course and rode to practice laps. Kevs loved the course, nice and technical with some real nice fast climbs too. The weather was dry all week so there was very little mud, great stuff.
Sunday came, and I warmed up on XTC to prep the tech skills. Sure enough, there was a good international presence, the UK team, Chech republic, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Wales, Swedan, etc…..all looking very pro. I got a second row grid place based on my previous result, not bad.
The team before the start
BANG, we were off. Pace was savage from the start, all the way to XTC in one long line. Kev and I stayed together on the 1st lap until the main river crossing, when Kevs rear mech was ripped off, race over for him!
I continued on, very comfortable at this stage, I passed the Swede, Micke Haggquist, on the second lap, and caught a glimp of George Hudeckova from the Czech Republic starting the 3rd.
I had a great race with Hudeckova
By the last climb on the 3rd lap, Hudeckova and I were together, attacking on the fireroad, savage. I then caught and passed German rider Jochen Cochonelli on the last lap, but Hudeckova was still hot on my heals starting the last climb. Ryan was only about 10seconds ahead here, so I was trying to catch him and at the same time stay away from Hudeckova and Cochonelli, amazing racing.
I had a great race to finish 9th
At the end I came in just behind Ryan with Hudeckova and Cochonelli not far behind. 9th place, very happy with that.
Brit Ian Bibby took the win late in the race from Robin. Robin has now qualified for Beijing, congrats Bob!
A big thanks for Team WORC and all the Seymours for all their hard work to make this the best event ever in Ireland, I wont forget it!
Ian Bibby took the win
Robin took second and the Olympic spot
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