Mountain Bike Cross Country
Season 2008
Photos
courtesy of Shay Barry(IMBRC)
The Irish
MTB XC Season kicks of with a 4 race International series,
the K-Capital Cup, on March 9th. This is the
second year that this series has been held, and brings
riders from Europe, Cyprus, and Canada, to the slippery
trails of Ireland, in the springtime.
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The winner of this
years’ series will go forward to represent
Ireland in the Olympics, in Beijing, later in the
year.
Mark
Allen & myself will be entering these events,
with the aim of building form, for later in the
season.
These
early races are fast, muddy, and very challenging.
Over 270 riders took part last year, and
competition for trail space is tough.
After
the K-Capital, the Irish National Points Series (NPS)
commences, and 4 rounds have been confirmed so
far. There will most likely be 1 or 2 further
races added, in the coming weeks.
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The NPS is the national MTB League; where
riders accumulate points, if placed in the first 8 over
the line. The best results of 5 of the 6 rounds counting
towards your final total.
Consistency
Consistency
is the key to doing well in the NPS events. Riders with
good endurance, a strong mental focus, and a reliable
bike, always have the edge.
The NPS
winners in each category get a shiny trophy from Cycling
Ireland!
The
highlight of the season takes place in July, with the
Irish National MTB Championships. This will be, as always,
a fiercely contested event.
Up North
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After a short break, the focus
moves northwards, for the Ulster XC league. These
events are very well run, and feature some superb
courses, made all the better by some nice dry,
Irish Summer weather (remember summer anyone??).
The
season usually winds up with the National
Marathon Championships.
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Race Categories
MTB
Categories are as follows:
Elite
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2.5hrs race
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Experts & Masters*
(*over 30s)
|
2 hrs race
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Sports
|
1 hr race
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Vets & Juniors
|
1.5 hrs race
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Various Underage Cats.
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30 mins or so.
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The Events
In 2007, 8 Swords riders entered both Cross Country and
cyclocross events, and all emerged unscathed. The
atmosphere at all events is friendly and laid back.
Children & families are very welcome.
_______________________________________________________
Upcoming Events
Dates of 2008 XC Events thus far:
Date
|
Race
|
Location
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09-Mar-08
|
K
Capital 1
|
Kilruddery,
Greystones
|
23-Mar-08
|
K
Capital 2
|
Tollymore,
Co Down
|
06-Apr-08
|
K
Capital 3
|
Lumpers,
Dundalk
|
20-Apr-08
|
K
Capital 4
|
Castlewellan,
Co Down
|
27-Apr-08
|
NPS
1
|
Ballinastoe,
Co Wicklow
|
11-May-08
|
NPS
2
|
Lumpers,
Dundalk
|
18-May-08
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NPS
3
|
Maghermore,
Co Antrim
|
15-Jun-08
|
NPS
4
|
Djouce,
Enniskerry.
|
21-Jun-08
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Urban
XC Race
|
Richill,
Co Armagh.
|
20-Jun-08
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MTB
Nationals
|
Tba.
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17-Aug-08
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Ulster
Lge Rd 1
|
Tba.
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24-Aug-08
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Marathon
Nationals
|
Tba.
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06-Sep-08
|
Ulster
Lge Rd 2
|
Craigavon.
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13-Sep-08
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Ulster
Lge Rd 3
|
Dunmore,
Co Down.
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For info re
Mountainbiking contact
David O'Neill 086-3882501
e-mail : mtb@swordscc.com
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