MTB Cross Country Race
Round 2 - Carlingford
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Irish National Points
Scheme (NPS) MTB Cross Country Race Round 2 - Carlingford |
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| Sunday 4 May 2008 Slieve Foy Forest, just outside Carlingford, was the venue for Round 2 of the 2008 Irish National Points Series (NPS) of Cross Country MTB races. The course layout had remained the same as the NPS event held last May but this year the weather was not so pleasant. Riders arrived to steady rain which lasted throughout the juniors and sports events. Fortunately it had stopped for the 'main' senior races which started at 1:30 pm. As per last year, the U16, sports and 'main' races started from the lower car park before heading up the tight tarmaced road climb to the top car park where they went along the grassy bank through the parked cars. The riders then headed into the forest along a fast technical section with some very slippery rocks and roots. The riders then dismounted to cross the stream before completing the section and turning onto the fire road back to the lower car park. It was then up the tarmac road again but at the hairpin the riders set off along the 3k fire road. About half way along the riders turning left into another section of technical single track with a challenging off-camber section. This section has improved greatly from last year having being ridden on in the interim so that the soil has become more compacted and stable. At the end of this section the course crossed the fire road then headed into the forest on the opposite side. The trail here was better and faster with some great flowing sections. The riders reappeared out of the forest at the end of a lane but once through the gate it was back into another part of the forest, the furthest away from the car parks. Once out of this section the riders were greeted with a spectacular view over Carlingford as they began their long trek back to the finish line straight back along the 3k fire road. Dromara Cycling Club were represented by four of its MTB riders. Young Ben and Zak Hanna doing well in the Under 8 and Under 14 races. Expert rider, Ross Galway, went for the easy option and joined fellow team mate Martin Grimley in the 2 lap Sports category race. It was no surprise that Ross finished well, in second place, but what was a surprise was that Cornelius Duffy IMBRC was the one who beat Ross and beat him by quite a margin ! Martin crashed late into his second lap and had to walk the full length of the fire road to complete the race. Martin sustained leg injuries but hopes to be fit the the next round at Magheramourne just outside Larne on 25 May 2008. Photos by Pauline Galway First race
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Ross and Alan Bingham |
Martin and Ronnie Ogilby |
Stephen Prentice |
Ross |
Weather closes in |
Mucky race (and face!) |