Race Report: BikingBlitz 2022 - Ballinastoe

Feb 13, 2022 at 16:31
by Yaroslav Alpizar  
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Boom! We are back! First race of the 2022 Irish mountain bike season done and dusted. With near 600 participants, ranging from under 6 years to +60 years, the first race of the Biking Blitz 2022 series has been a total success. Even the weather joined forces and after a downpour night before during the race the racers didn't see a single drop. Trails were wet but muck was not a big issue as the racecourse used the official trails in Ballinastoe trail center that have seen great work done by Coillte and TrailBreaker crew to get the trails in perfect conditions.

BikingBlitz is an established series of races that every rider enjoys and try to participate in at least once. Taking place on all of the Coillte trail centers in the country is the perfect opportunity to get to know the official trails and try to race against yourself or your friends. The morning started with the under 6 years old up to U16, each category with a slightly longer and technical racecourse to match the age and abilities. Everyone is always guaranteed to have fun at these races.


All riders were eager to kick off the season and finally be able to test themselves shoulder to shoulder with their friends. Riders from all over the country and all categories showed up, la "crème de la crème", as you would say. Greg Callaghan, Kelan Grant, Gary Donaldson, often seen with full-face helmets and on the EWS gave it a try to hardtails and lycra. On female some new faces and some known faces, great representation on the Novice category with 18 riders. On Expert, newly arrived to fat tires, Joanna Bula, jumping from CX and straight to a podium. Leah Mc Carthy had a nasty injury racing CX and miraculously was ready and back at full speed after just 2 months and finished 4th. On Juniors the battle was fierce between Darren O Neill and Joshua Ritchie separated by just 14sec. Darren thought it was not enough and he did a 2nd lap just for the fun of it.

The next stop is in two weeks in Ballyhoura trail center, see you there!

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Lets get ready!

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You can race and have fun at the same time

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And off we go!

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Ebikes category was introduced this year for those willing to try and push their machines to the limit

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Joanna Bula, 3rd on the Expert Female category

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Elmarie O'Brien, two full laps on the Expert women category, what's your justification?

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On the first lap Kelan Grant had an issue with his pedals that continued during the rest of the race, finished 19th

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Dean Harvey, winner on Expert category, split from the main group with David Montgomery, 2nd, and kept the head of the race for the full 2 laps

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Gareth Davis, having fun, 4th, is back with strength and feeling happier than ever

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It was a damp day, but unlike other years, there was no snow and temperatures were warm for this time of the season

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Nothing can stop him, Glyn O'Brien always with a smile on his face and eyes on the price

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Friendship and having a good time, that's what is all about

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The work done on the trails by Coillte and Trailbreaker crew is amazing, this section is a dream for any rider

Hannah Mullin VitusFirstTrack was the winner at the Female Junior category with a lap time of 0 49 48
Hannah Mullin (VitusFirstTrack) was the winner at the Female Junior category with a lap time of 0:49:48

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Results

Expert Men

1st. Dean Harvey 1:13:39
2nd. David Montgomery 1:13:41
3rd. Darnell Moore 1:15:02
4th. Gareth Davis 1:17:10
5th. Colm Mullen 1:17:18
Expert Female

1st. Caoimhe May 1:38:22
2nd. Annalise Murphy 1:40:27
3rd. Joanna Bula 1:42:46
4th. Leah Mc Carthy 1:46:37
5th. Rebecca Bradford 1:56:38



MENTIONS: @VitusBikes



Author Info:
elyari avatar

Member since Apr 5, 2011
124 articles

8 Comments
  • 4 0
 Huh, who would have thought an Olympic medalist for sailing would be taking a podium at the Blitz!
  • 2 0
 arrghhh!!! totally forgot to comment on that, what a miss Frown
  • 2 0
 @elyari: hard to get it all.
Good article and great to see the coverage.
  • 2 0
 Great coverage! Looked like another brilliant day up there
  • 2 0
 Long live the blitz!
  • 1 1
 Great job of shouting people on when passing on an Ebike Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Always!! To everyone, I know that helps when you are deep on the pain cave!
  • 2 0
 @elyari: Yeah I tried to pull your breaks in retaliation Big Grin







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