Round 2 of the 2025 Cross-country Mountain Bike National Point Series took place at Glensheskin Wood, Kilworth, County Cork. This was the third year in a row that Fermoy Cycling Club has hosted a race at this location. The club are keen to impress that the forest is not for general, recreational mountain bike use outside of sanctioned events. They ask that riders adhere to this rule to not jeopardise their access to the forest for future events.

The lead up to the event saw over a week of good weather. That good weather continued into race weekend with blue skies, temperatures around 24 degrees and very little wind. The forest roads were dusty and the trails were dry and running fast. It felt like a race in Spain rather than Ireland. As before there was parking in a farmer’s field about 800 metres from the event village. The club had arranged camping at the local GAA club. Stephen and Tom had created a course made up of a blend of the 2023 layout and the 2024 layout. The main starting area was moved up to the event village. Paul Joyce was back on the microphone.

The first race of the day was for the Under 6s who had two laps of a short course through the trees near the event village. Well done to all 8 young riders.

The Under 8s lined up next. Their course was longer than the Under 6s and they had 3 laps to complete. Evan McTavish (Western Lakes CC) took the win in the boys’ race with Ollie Kiernan (Fermoy Cycling Club) second and Teddy Lyons (Fermoy Cycling Club) third. Elisa Tyszecka (MBCC) won the girls’ race with Alice Bell (Un-Attached Ulster) finishing second in her first Under 8s race.

The Under 10s course was longer again than the Under 8s and they had 2 laps to complete. Contining his impressive season, Jaxon Jennings (Bear Cycling) stormed to the finish line to win the boys’ race. Finn McTavish (Western Lakes CC) was second with Daniel McGrath (Fermoy Cycling Club) third. Marian Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) was the only girl but managed to finish alongside Finn McTavish.

The Under 12s course took the riders further into the forest. Benjamin Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) was leading the boys’ race for the first two laps but had Fabian Drwal (Lynx Cycling Club) on his back wheel. When they both appeared out of the forest for the final time it was Fabian who won the sprint to the finish line with Ben just behind. Max McGrath (Fermoy Cycling Club) was third with Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) fourth. Emilia Tyszecka (MBCC) was the only girl.

After a break for podium presentations it was the turn of the Under 14s, Under 16s, Senior 1 women, Senior 2 women and Senior 4 open racers. The Under 14s had a reduced length course with all others riding the full course.

In the Under 14 boys’ race James Cunningham (Team WORC) lead from start to finish over the 3 laps. Oscar Moran (EPIC MTB) was second with Cian Walsh (IMBRC) third. Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) won the Under 14 girls’ race with Ciara O’Connor (Drogheda Wheelers) second. Laoise Crinion (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) crashed on the first lap. We wish her a full recovery.

In the Under 16 boys’ race Caleb McGreevy (VC Glendale) continued his successful season (top 3 at the last 2 rounds of the British XC series) with a win at this round. Fionn Crinion (IMBRC) was second with Joshua Loos (Seven Springs CC Loughrea) third and Kieran Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) fourth after 3 laps of the full course. There were no entries in the Under 16 girls’ category.

In the Senior 4 open race last year’s winner Jason Travers (Dungarvan CC) was once again back on the top step of the podium. John Moran (EPIC MTB) was second with Doruk Balkan (EPIC MTB) third and Justin Doherty (Dunloy CC) fourth.

In the Senior 2 women’s race Catriona Wheeler (Agivey Cycling Club) had lead after the first two laps but Fiona Lally (EPIC MTB) managed to sort out her mechanical issues and overtook Catriona on the final lap to take first place. Catriona had to settle for second with Sinead Greenan (Galway MTB) finishing third.

In the Senior 1 women’s race Ciara Macmanus (Un-Attached Ulster) put on a fine performance to take the chequered flag after 4 laps. Joanna Bula (Team WORC) got ahead of Caoimhe May (Team WORC) on lap 2 to finish second and third respectively. Tara Brennan (Team Giant Dublin) finished fourth.

After another break for podium presentations it was the turn of the Senior 1 open, Senior 2 open, Senior 3 open riders as well as the only entry for the Junior men’s race – Ben O’Keeffe (Newcastle West Cycling Club).

The Senior 3 open race riders saw the biggest field with 37 riders on the start line. Daryl Kearns (Dungarvan CC) lead the 4 lap race from start to finish. Round 1 winner Emil Tyszecki (MBCC) was second with Anthony Testa (Gaeltacht.cc) third, Julian Kennedy Ripon (Chain Driven Cycles CC) fourth and Gene Ryan (Velocity MTB) fifth.

The Senior 2 open race saw Dominic Drwal (Lynx Cycling Club) take the win after 5 laps. Colm Bradley (EPIC MTB) was second with Michael Burton (Team WORC) third, Francis Yates (EPIC MTB) fourth and Colm McGarvey (EPIC MTB) fifth.

The Senior 1 open race was held over 6 laps. David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port) repeated his win from Round 1 finishing well clear of the chasing pack. Daniel Brickenden (Team WORC) and Sean Feeney (Team WORC) had been wheel to wheel for the first 5 laps but Daniel managed to get the gap on Sean to finish second and third respectively. Nathan Kurensky (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) finished fourth with Lee Clarke (Cycleology Racing Team) fifth.

A huge thanks to Tom and Stephen and all those at Fermoy Cycling Club for hosting this event. Thanks to Solid Gear Footwear for providing the caps and buffs. The next round will be held at Dunmore Mountain hosted by Banbridge Cycling Club. Registration is open for this round and all other rounds of the series. See details on www.irishxcnps.ie

Commissaire: Martin Grimley

Results – here

Series table after two rounds – here

Report by Martin Grimley

Photos
Sean Magnier (Facebook) – here

Marek Szarejko 360 Republic (Facebook) – here