The first round of the 2025 Cross-country Mountain Bike National Point Series took place on Sunday 4 May at Tonygarrow in County Wicklow. This is the third year that Team WORC have ran an event in this private forest. In 2024 they ran the national championship at this site. More work had been done to the course from last year with additional features and the lengthening of the youth courses. A well laid out circuit which challenged all levels of rider. The weather was overcast but dry for most of the day with little wind. Paul Joyce was on the microphone, the coffee trailer ‘Creamy coffee’ was on site and the parking area quickly filled with riders.

The first race of the day was for the Under 6s with 8 young riders lining up for a short loop circuit in the main event field. Well done to all.

The Under 8s course took them up into the forest. There were only 4 riders taking part, 2 boys and 2 girls, completing 2 laps. Evan McTavish (Western Lakes CC) took the win in the boys’ race ahead of Cameron Keatinge. Elisa Tyszecka (MBCC) finished ahead of Olivia Wallace (EPIC MTB) in the girls’ race.

In the 5 lap Under 10s race Jaxon Jennings (Bear Cycling) put on his usual show of strength to win the boys’ race. Josh Ruddell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) was doing well until a broken chain dropped him out of podium contention. Thomas Crymble (Apollo Cycling Team) raced well to take second place with Finn McTavish (Western Lakes CC) completing the boys’ podium. In the girls’ race Ríonach Campbell (Square Wheels) took the win ahead of Marian Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club).

The Under 12s race saw the biggest numbers in the youth races with 9 boys and 5 girls competing. In the boys’ race Benjamin Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) had to work hard to stay away from Fabian Drwal (Lynx Cycling Club). Ben managed to widen the gap over the 7 laps to take the win. Fabian was second with Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) third. Nathan Baker (Breffni Wheelers) was fourth with Jake McKee (VC Glendale) fifth. In the girls’ race Aoife Campbell (Square Wheels) was back to her winning ways finishing well clear of Georgie Wallace (EPIC MTB) with Emilia Tyszecka (MBCC) picking up third.

After the podium presentations for the youth, the Under 14s, Under 16s, women and the Senior 4 open race riders lined up. The Under 14s had a reduced course while all others completed the full circuit.

In the Under 14 boys’ race James Cunningham (Team WORC) was leading after the first two laps but a crash on his final lap gifted Oscar Moran (EPIC MTB) with the win. James had to settle for second place. Cian Walsh (IMBRC) completed the podium. Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) put on another fine performance to take gold medal in the Under 14 girls’ race. Laoise Crinion (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) picked up the silver medal with Ciara O’Connor (Drogheda Wheelers) taking home bronze.

In the 3 lap Under 16 boys’ race Fionn Crinion (IMBRC) was first home with Darragh O’Keeffe (EPIC MTB) second, Darragh Murphy (Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club) third and James Geary (Fermoy Cycling Club) fourth. There were no entries in the Under 16 girls’ race.

John Moran (EPIC MTB) crossed the finish line first in the Senior 4 open race which was held over two laps of the main course. Milos Hajek (IMBRC) was leading after lap 1 but had to settle for second place. William Rock (EPIC MTB) was third.

Caroline Murphy (EPIC MTB) was the only entry in the Senior 3 women’s race which was held over two laps of the full course. Niamh Denny (EPIC MTB) lead from the start to win the three lap Senior 2 women’s race. Fiona Lally (EPIC MTB) was second with Catriona Wheeler (Agivey Cycling Club) third and Sinead Greenan (Galway MTB) fourth. The Senior 1 women’s race was held over 4 laps. Junior rider Greta Lawless (Team WORC) took the win, proudly showing off her national champions jersey. Former national champion Caoimhe May (Team WORC) was second with Joanna Bula (Team WORC) third and Ciara Macmanus (Un-Attached Ulster) fourth.

After another break for podium presentation, course practice and coffee it was the turn of the Senior 1 open riders, Senior 2 open riders and Senior 3 open riders. Starting with the Senior 1 open riders was the single entry in the Junior men’s category Ryan Daly (Scott Racing IRL). Ryan may have been on his own in the category but he was the talk of the day as he powered around the course setting the fastest lap of the day on his first lap. Ryan has had a great season of racing outside of Ireland in his first year as a Junior.

The biggest field of the day was in the Senior 3 open race with 43 riders on the start line. Emil Tyszecki (MBCC) took the chequered flag after 3 laps. Stephen Scrivener (EPIC MTB) was second with Colm O’Byrne (IVCA Cycling Club) third, Oisin Mooney (Eire Og C.C.) fourth and Julian Kennedy Ripon (Chain Driven Cycles CC) fifth.

In the Senior 2 open race Glyn O’Brien (Un-Attached Ulster) lead from start to finish over the 4 laps. Colm Bradley (EPIC MTB) made his way up from fourth on lap one to second at the finish. Colm McGarvey (EPIC MTB) finished third with Dominic Drwal (Lynx Cycling Club) fourth and Ian O’Connell (Team WORC) fifth.

The Senior 1 open race was held over 5 laps. David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port) was setting the pace at the front from start to finish. Legend of the sport and course designer for this event Robin Seymour (Team WORC) finished an impressive second place. Daniel Brickenden (Team WORC) was third with Ruairi Byrne (UCD Cycling Club) fourth and Robert McKenna (Bray Wheelers) fifth.

For the podium presentations the riders were supplied with woolly hats courtesy of Solid Gear footwear. We will see more of their hats and caps at the rest of the rounds of the NPS.

In addition the podium riders were given vouchers from Frame Wrap Dublin and tyres, gloves etc. from Specialized Ireland.

A huge thanks to Team WORC for hosting this round. Thanks to Jim the landowner and the sponsors. The second round of the series will take place on Sunday 18 May at Glensheskin Wood, Graigue, Kilworth, County Cork hosted by Fermoy Cycling Club. Details can be found here

Commissaire: Martin Grimley

Results here

Race report by Martin Grimley

Photos
Keith Colville – here