On the weekend of 23/24 september the Irish National Championships were held in ravensdale forest, Dundalk. Being the biggest race on the irish calender it attracted riders from all over the country and some from across the water. It was a very well organised race with lifts to the top(big improvement on last years hour-long trek to the top) and laser timing.
UCI points were up for grabs and this attracted the likes of Rich Warner and Crawford Carrick Anderson to the race. The course is well known for its very technical rock gardens and for its outright speed. Heavy rain in the run up to the race resulted in a very muddy and sticky course which had everyone looking for mud tyres!
Qualifying took place on saturday with Rich Warner setting the fastest time with Crawford close behind. In the junior category an on-form Colin Ross set the pace.
More rain fell on saturday night and this improved the course no end. the top sections had now become much quicker to ride but as the day went on it returned to an even worse condition than the previous day and It was these muddy conditions that seperated the top boys from the rest.
Top honours in the elite men went to the consistant Rich Warner with second going to Crawford Carrick Anderson(well done to crawford for crashing on the second last turn) and John Lawlor taking third. In the junior category Colin Ross took 1st with a time good enough for a top 3 in elite, second went to Will Corry, with Ross Rosingrave in third.
Well done to the organisers who put on a great race on a top course. If the future of Irish racing is anything like this, we will have a lot to look forward to. Thanks to Red Bull, Plush,Potato bred, Colin Finley, the course builders and everyone who took part.
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