Irish NPS Round 4 - Returns to Scaragh Woods, Cahir

As a rider kicked the ground on Sunday morning and uplifted some dust, followed by the question ‘Is this Ireland?’ it was a true testament to the weather the weekend brought to go along with the fourth round of the 2009 Irish DH NPS

Photos Inside:021 Racing brought the venue formerly the 2008 national championships and the first round of the 2009 NPS back to Cahir, Co Tipperary to a completely new track and what seemed like a completely new venue.



The tracked started further up the hill on the open hillside, and through the open section into the woods, another open section, over a road crossing and down through the woods to the finish. To the walker it seemed deceptively ok! Nothing too tricky, but once the bikes came out on Saturday morning, rider got an awakening as to how tricky the track was, especially the bottom rooty section which caught out even the most advanced rider.


Here’s how the riders fared:

U14

The Cornforths continue to dominate the U14 category with Cameron taking first place ahead of little brother Luke. Cameron failed to complete his first run, but his second run time of 2.37.233 placed him just two tenths of a second ahead of Luke who had a better second run with a time of 2.37.507.


Angus Fyffe completed a second run time in a respectable 2.39.491 and Flow’s Adam Tarbett completed his second run with a time of 2.39.633, both, just two seconds off first place. These three guys put in times that would have placed them top 10 in the junior category, and if they continue pushing their potential could be future IrishDH stars on an international level!



U16

A close under 16 category with only a second separating first to third on the podium. New to the U16 podium, 021 Racing’s Stephen Graef completed his first run in a time of 2.32 547, 0.458 of a second ahead of Kelan Grant. Kelan had a better second run, by six seconds to take silver on the podium. Meanwhile Flow’s Dan Sheridan completed his two runs crossing the finish line with half the course in his helmet and could only manage a time of 2.33.343 to take an unfamiliar third place on the podium following his broken collar bone at NPS 2 in Dunmanway.


Women

A busy women’s category with six competitors turning out to win top place on the podium. European gold medalist, First Tracks/Revolution’s Maeve Baxter took first place and a tumble over the finish line resulting in a black eye for her troubles. Her second run of 2.47.783 kept her top place position ahead of Epic’s Natalie Jedda. Natalie, who has stepped it up a gear for 2009, went faster on her second run to register a time of 2.52.280 and took silver on the podium. Meanwhile Chain Reaction Cycle’s Michele McMullan completed her second run time five seconds faster than her first to register a time of 3.15.252 to take home the bronze trophy. A big mention to Joanne McCallum, Epic’s Orla Power and Chain Reaction’s Julie Rea who turned out for a race and all stepped it up a gear for a great day’s racing.


Supervets

Flow’s Tom Sheridan took his fourth win of the 2009 season with a time of 2.57.776, twenty seconds ahead of second place. Meanwhile teammate Peter Popham completed a first run time of 3.18.529 to take home the silver medal. Tom Clogher stepped it up a gear in his second run, but didn’t come close enough and had to settle for third place with a respectable time of 3.21.066.


Vets

10 vet riders turned out for round four of the 2009 Irish NPS to try to claim the gold medal. Four vet riders have taken home a 2009 gold medal, this time the gold going to Banaman Carl Young. Carl completed two consistent runs in the 2.31 mark, over five seconds ahead of round two winner Steven Graham. Steven completed his first run with a time of 2.36.861 to take silver, just ahead of Potato Bred’s Colin Finley, who stepped it up a gear in his second run to register a time of 2.38.641, good enough for bronze medal.


Sports

Alan Stokes took his first win of the year, going from fourth place in his first run to register a second run time of 2.25.381 to take home the gold medal. Gareth O’Reilly, with two first place position and now two silver medals for the 2009 NPS, completed his second run time in 2,37.331. Dirty Habit’s Ken Nally completed his first run in a time of 2.39.697 to take home bronze and complete the podium.

Senior


21 senior riders competed for top spot in round 4 with Epic’s Edmund Smith coming out in top position for his second time this year. Edmund completed his first run with a time of 2.25.067, a fraction of a second ahead of LCR’s Kevin Coughlan. Kevin managed to go faster on his second run, however, it wasn’t enough for top place and had to settle for silver. UCD’s Rory Beirne completed two consistent runs in the 2.27 second to hold off Conor Duffy and take home the bronze medal.


Master


The battle of the CRC boys continued, with both Dale and Michael taking home two first place positions in the 2009 NPS. Dale completed his first run time of 2.19.698 to hold on to first place on the podium. Meanwhile, European silver medalist Michael Cowan went faster on his second run to knock Sean Herilhy out of second place with a time of 2.22.213. Sean went fastest on his first run to register a time of 2.25.739 to take third place on the podium. Dirty Habit’s Eamon O’Reilly managed his best position of the year to complete a second run time of 2.27.185 ending up in fourth place.




Junior

Following their return from the European downhill championships in Slovenia last weekend, 2StageBike’s Greg Callaghan and Biketart.com’s Davy Graham stayed top of their class to take first and second respectively. Greg registered two consistent runs in the 2.12 second mark, the second being his quickest with a time of 2.12.263 to take home his first gold medal of the 2009 NPS. Davy Graham went ten seconds faster on his second run to register a time of 2.17.145 to take home his second silver medal of the 2009 NPS. Meanwhile, young Gavin Carroll continued his form by completing a second run time of 2.19.744 to take third place on the podium, just a second ahead of Marc Potts who had to settle for fourth place.


Elite

Sixteen elite riders turned out for the fourth round. 2StageBike’s Gareth McKee took his first win of the 2009 in a great race, putting Jamie McCullough off the podium by just a tenth of a second. Gareth completed his second run in a time of 2.09.149, bettering Factory Giant’s Jamie McCullough’s first run time of 2.09.292.


Meanwhile Colin Ross was having the run of his life when he crashed in the roots at the bottom of the track, unable to complete his second run. Colin’s first run time of 2.09.581, four tenths of a second behind first place, only managed to claim the bronze medal. A very close competitive elite’s category which proved for very exciting racing.



For full results click here.


Well done to all at 021 Racing for hosting another fantastic event.

The next event will be held in Killarney on 4th & 5th July 2009 hosted by Killarney Cycling Club. Further details can be found Here

The bodycount for the weekend was also high as quoted from one person: 2 broken collar bones (one of which being me) and 2 dislocated shoulders, 1 snapped frame, 1 snapped set of forks, 4 sets of punctured lowers and numerous punctures!

Full credit for this article goes to:
Irish DH

For more information on 021 Racing please visit:021 Racings Website