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Race Preview: Vitus First Track Cup 2019 - Castlewellan

Sep 15, 2019
by Yaroslav Alpizar  


And just like that, the season is about to finish, with the last race of the Vitus First Track Enduro Cup in Castlewellan Forestal Park, home of Nathan "Lizard" McComb who even came all the way from Malaga just to race his home trails and of course, for the craic. He and many more riders will battle this weekend for a place on the podium and the overall. Kelan Grant is recovered from a small sickness that made him not race the Gravity Series in Carrick, Greg Callaghan will race too, Jack Devlin, Peter Davison, Glyn O'Brien, Mark Okane, James McFerran and more. In total around 230 riders for a good weekend of racing.


Castlewellan has a well-earned reputation of been a rainy race, last year it has been a hell for all riders. Hopefully, the weather forecast improves and Sunday the trails stay on the same mint conditions as today. As for the race route, 21km with +600m climb and same descending, split into five stages with a bit of everything. Although Castlewellan is a known trail center and it has several green and blue trails, race organizers recovered some old natural trails and cleared some others, so riders will face too some techy, rocky and gnarly sections. Stage one has some fast step section just right on the start where all riders took their time to search for the best line. As there has been no rain for several days the terrain is on perfect conditions, no puddles at all and loamy everywhere inside the forest. Stage two is the longest one but expect to be one of the fastest as it is a mix in between the trail center trails and natural bits, fast and fun, not too physical. Stage three I would call it the Tree Hugger, no need to explain it, fast, natural singletrack with several tight spaces in between the trees.

To get to stage four, some hike a bike is required but the reward is a short but steep technical trail that left everyone with a big smile on their faces. Once that's done, a long liason to stage 5 on a green trail will allow all riders to relax and get ready for a leg burner stage. Fear not, but stage 5 with 20km on their legs will certainly be a test to everyone fitness, Is a blue trail, manicured to perfection but where each meter without pedaling will mean some clock ticks lost. Look for the fittest of all and he will certainly will win this stage.

As per usual, first riders will start at 9:30, followed by seeded riders and lastly the elite ones at 12. Expectations are high and everyone stoked for a sick race in Castlewellan Forestal park.

Nathan McComb is more than happy to be racing on his home trails he came all the way from Malaga just for the race
Nathan McComb is more than happy to be racing on his home trails, he came all the way from Malaga just for the race

Getting ready to race travelling with the family dogs and kids everyone wants to enjoy a good weekend
Getting ready to race, travelling with the family, dogs and kids, everyone wants to enjoy a good weekend

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Races are always good to meet good ol friends

That s all about fun and having good times. Chainreaction Belfast always present on all races offering mechanical support to all the participants.
That's all about, fun and having good times. Chainreaction Belfast always present on all races offering mechanical support to all the participants.

These three are like a big happy family
These three are like a big happy family

Castleweallan forest park offers lot of activities for everyone cycling on the trail center as well as climbing kayaking and hiking
Everyone stoked for an awesome weekend of racing

Bit of track walk to choose your line
Bit of track walk to choose your line

The Lizzard doing his thing on the start of SS1
The Lizzard doing his thing on the start of SS1

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Young generation can certainly learn one things or two from the Legend Glyn O Brien
Young generation can certainly learn one things or two from the Legend Glyn O'Brien

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Send it But no need to say that to Nathan he will always do it
Send it! But no need to say that to Nathan, he will always do it

U21 Tommy Mag has been away from last races due to an injury he is fully recovered and ready to get back on the podium once again
U21 Tommy Mag has been away from last races due to an injury, he is fully recovered and ready to get back on the podium once again

Did we already said Lizard doing his thing
Did we already said "Lizard doing his thing"?

Not A-Line but lets do a train
Not A-Line, but lets do a train

SS1 offered tons of different lines on the upper open section riders enjoyed themselves while looking for the smoothest one
Kelan Grant Nukeproff bike next week will be far from Ireland racing the last stop of the EWS in Zermatt

After the fast open start section of SS1 riders get into the forest for a physical and sketchy final section
After the fast open start section of SS1, riders get into the forest for a physical and sketchy final section

There are some fast rolling rocky sections on SS3 that can be called Tree hugger no need to explain why
There are some fast-rolling rocky sections on SS3 that can be called "Tree hugger", no need to explain why

Mark from the Chainreaction Belfast team alwyas fast and smooth
Mark from the Chainreaction Belfast team always fast and smooth

Glyn O Brien the man behind the Vitus First Track Cup still have time to race clean trails and organize everything
James McFerran is always a strong contender to the podium
Glyn O'Brien and James McFerran fast on the start of SS4

Shit happens time to pump
Shit happens, time to pump

Fresh loam everywhere SS4 has some fast sections to offer
Fresh loam everywhere, SS4 has some fast sections to offer

Old school but still fresh and ready to hit the trails
Old school but still fresh and ready to hit the trails

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