Race Report: Ireland's Enduro Cup & Ulster Enduro Championship

Vitus First Tracks Enduro Cup Round 3 & Ulster Enduro Championships

One of the best weekend’s riding we have seen to date got underway in Rostrevor (Northern Ireland) at round 3 of the Vitus First Tracks Enduro Cup on the 23/24th June. Along with the added bonus of the Ulster Enduro Championship, things were about to get wild! Double trouble!


Glowing faces, big smiles, epic dusty descents left the sound of riders Yeehaaaas and Yeeehoos echoing through the hills and woods all weekend!


Saturday’s practice got underway with the sound of the race village blasting out the 90’s rock tunes. With the sun splitting the trees the vibe was electric, a good way to start any bike ride. From there most people opted for the option of uplifts from East Coast Adventure, some sorting their own lifts. The more hardy men and women pedalled up!


5 stages lay ahead that were better described as downhill tracks. It was hard to choose a favourite trail but most people took advantage of the uplift practice day doing 2 laps.

Sunday was race day and it was a case of more sunshine and many blown out corners but loads of fun! It was time to get loose and this is how it all faired out.


Pro men – It was a 4 horse race and no one got it easy. The Lizard Nathan McComb won 2 stages and O’Brien took 3 wins and the overall by a mere 2 seconds. Ben Irwin and hobo Godfrey battled it out for 3rd and 4th with Irwin eventually taking bronze.


Under 21 men – What a race this was! The top 2 in this category have been going at it all season long with no one giving in. This time it was Jack Devlin’s turn to step it up a notch and take 5 stage wins and the fastest overall time of the day, this also got him the Elite Ulster Enduro Champion title. Drew Armstrong had to settle for 2nd with Aidan Hawkins in 3rd.

Women – Growing up in Rostrevor proved a clear advantage for winner Meave Baxter. Hannah Harvey put up a good fight but something tells me she has something up her sleeve for the final round in Tollymore.

Hardtail men - Battled it out ragging down the loose rocky trails, this was no easy feat so fair play lads! It was Marcus Swail who took 3rd. Ragley warriors Joe Penny and Nathan McCormack taking the top 2 spots with Nathan taking 1st spot.

Youth - In the young pinner class (12-13) it was Jamie Williamson in 1st, Ollie Thomspon 2nd and Ronan Eannetta in 3rd. These guys tackled 3 of the gnarliest stages with ease showing some of the more experienced lads how it’s done!


Junior men - Ryan Skelly of Cranwheelers in 3rd spot, Joel Hamilton of Shimna Wheelers in 2nd and local Legend Niall Clerkin East Coast MTB who took the Top Spot to be Ulster Enduro Champ, showing his older brother how it’s done!

In the Masters A and B it was the Nelson brothers who landed on top!

Master A - It was Philip Mullan who took a very close 3rd and a Stage 1 win, Chris Mallen in second spot under 10 seconds of the winning time of Kyle Nelson.

Master B - It was Paul Taylor in 3rd , Brendan Foley of Cuchculainn CC who took 2nd spot and Craig Nelson taking the win by almost 30 seconds.

Senior men – Tight racing throughout this category but it was Adam Smiley, Micheal Rea and Chris Mcmillian who came out on top.

Veteran men – The closest racing of the weekend here with only 3 seconds separating the podium. Derek McLaughlin landed in 3rd, local man Conor Campbell kept it cool for a silver medal but it was Paul Mcloughlin of Bespoke Cycles taking the win.

Super Veteran men – Absolutely no stopping these men! Stephen McDonald was getting some last minute downhill practice in before the Masters dh worlds and bagged 3rd. Steven Graham bagged 2 stage wins but couldn’t match Mr consistent John Glover, 3 outta 3 ain’t bad!

Full results.
Photos – Industry Image
Video – Redhill Media
Report – Jack Devlin & Glyn O’Brien