Race schedule & categories

A guide to the format of the race programme for 2022 National Point Series is as follows. See individual rounds for more details.

Race Timetable:
09:00 – Sign on opens
10:00 – Under 6s fun race
10:15 – Under 8s
10:30 – Under 10s
10:50 – Under 12s
11:15 – Prize giving for U8s, U10s and U12s
12:00 – Under 16s, Senior 4 men, Senior 2 women, Senior 3 women, Under 14s
13:30 – Prize giving for U14s, U16s, S2 women, S3 women and S4 men
14:00 – Senior 1 men, Juniors, Senior 1 women, Senior 2 men, Senior 3 men
15:45 – Prize giving for S1, S2 and S3 men, Juniors and S1 women
Race Categories explained (for the 2022 season)
NOTE: There is separate “Juniors race” for strong junior male riders.  For junior men who are new to cycling they are free to enter Senior 3 or Senior 4 men’s races.
Junior females can take part in Senior Women 1, 2 or 3 races.

Senior beginners (S3 women – S4 men)
The sport will only grow when we attract new people to give cross-country racing a ‘go’.
For 2022 both the Senior 4 men and Senior 3 women have a reduced entry fee.  The Senior 3 women’s race will share the Under 14s course as per a proposal passed at the 2017 Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission AGM.
Both the Senior 4 men and Senior 3 women’s races should last less than 50 minutes.

Under 6 race The Under 6s race is just for fun. It is an introduction to off-road racing.
There are no winners, no podium, no medals. It is all about the achievement of starting and finishing.
If you child can complete the course with ease and is ready for the next challenge please have them try the Under 8s race instead. There is no lower age limit on the Under 8s race.

Category Age Comment
Senior (Men) 1 16+ Elite riders and top 5/6 Experts/Masters/Vets – [5-7 laps]
Senior (Men) 2 16+ Strong riders – [4-6 laps]
Senior (Men) 3 16+ Seasoned/experienced riders – [3-5 laps]
Senior (Men) 4 16+ Introductory category for men starting racing (Sports) – [2-3 laps]
Senior Women 1 16+ Elite women [4-5 laps]
Senior Women 2 16+ Experienced riders – [3-4 laps]
Senior Women 3 16+ Introductory category for women starting racing (Sports) – [2-3 laps]
Juniors 16-17 Those born in 2004 or 2005
Under 16 Those born in 2006 or 2007
Under 14 Those born in 2008 or 2009
Under 12 Those born in 2010 or 2011
Under 10 Those born in 2012 or 2013
Under 8 / Under 6s Those born in 2014 or earlier

For 2022 national championship categories the following age groups apply
2004-2005 Junior
2000-2003 Espoir
1993-1999 Senior
1983-1992 M30
1973-1982 M40
1963-1972 M50
1900-1962 M60