Report of the action
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K-Capital Cup - Round
3 Report of the action |
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| K Capital Cup - Round 3 - Djouce Woods,
Co. Wicklow 06 April 2008 Today saw the third round of the now legendary 'K-Capital Cup', set in Djouce Woods, Co. Wicklow, not far from the previous round in Kilruddery. For once the weather forecasters got it right when they predicted a cold day with wintry showers. Many riders woke up to find a thin layer of snow on their vehicles and a chill in the air. At the venue, the car park and sign on were in an exposed field with no shelter from the cold wind. There wasn't much appetite for standing around and having the usual race pre-chat. The promoting club, K-Capital Source/Rocky Mountain Club, had laid on an impressive marquee, with PA system and a much needed caravan for the timekeepers. (Andy Potts seemed to have drawn the short straw and was left outside the caravan valiently recording times against the elements) There were different courses for the various categories of riders including two senior courses, a 5 km (3.1 mile) course for the U16's and Sports riders and the big 7.8 km (4.8 mile) course for the Experts, Masters, Vets and Elites. As usual for these events, there was a large turnout with Elite men, Experts and Vets all with 20 riders, Masters with 40 and Sports with 60+. From the start line, there was a taped area within the start/finish field before heading into the forest. This taped area did narrow in parts causing some 'traffic' problems. Once into the trees it was a quick burst through, then over the fire road and up the hill to the first of the downhill sections. Here, as across most of the course, there were many roots and loose stones to contend with. Out of this section and onto the fire road for a climb up and into the woods on the right. This section ran very close to the edge of the river, and rumour has it, a female rider went over the edge. Supposedly she was not badly injured and there was an ambulance on hand. This section was very tricky with many rock obstacles (an event that favoured those on full-suspension bicycles). At the end of this section the course split. The longer course takes a very sharp left while the sports/U16s go straight on and back up the fire road to the start/finish. The longer course included a tough climb up around a deforested area before heading into the wood onto tricky off-camber sections, puddles and a drop off that makes the ones at the two previous rounds look easy. At the end of this drop off the competitive riders had to cross a shallow river, where many a cycling shoe was dipped. The embankment out of the river deteriorated rapidly during the race and most had to get off and push their bikes up it. The big course then joined back onto the sports/U16 course for the long fire road climb back up to the start/finish. From Dromara CC there was only Ross and myself. Ross succeeded in getting round the 3 laps of the Big course without cramping. Unconfirmed results put Ross in 13th position. I arrived late for my race and was 3/4s of the way back in the grid with a lot of work to do to make my way up the field. The climb up to the first downhill soon got me up the field and past Ronnie Ogilby (XMTB). Unfortunately Stephen Prentice was unable to make this round. I did not hear the reason why but I am sure that it had nothing to do with the cold weather !! The first of the hail arrived during our first lap and came on and off throughout the race. This made conditions very poor for those waiting in the tech/feeding zone who had no protection from the elements. Ronnie and I changed positions a couple of times but it was the long fire road climb that helped me to put distance between ourselves. Unconfirmed results show me as finishing in 26th position. Ross' race was also plagued with hail stones, in fact, there was a period of very heavy hail which left the forest floor white and made the conditions even more of a challenge. Many thanks to the organisers for setting up and running an excellent event. Last round in 2 weeks time in the ever popular Castlewellan forest. A full list of the results can be found on the K-Capital cup website. For further comment and discussion about this race see our message board Video footage taken at the event Start of the main races Various scenes near the start/finish Photos by Ross & Martin. Video and report by Martin |
Finish line
Ross 
Ross 
Ross 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin |