{"id":2762,"date":"2026-07-06T23:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T23:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishxcnps.ie\/?page_id=2762"},"modified":"2026-07-07T06:43:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T06:43:59","slug":"nps-round-6-2026-report","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/irishxcnps.ie\/?page_id=2762","title":{"rendered":"NPS Round 6 (2026) Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sixth and final round of the 2026 Cross-country Mountain Bike National Point Series (NPS) took place on Sunday 5 July at Tracton Woods in County Cork. The original date for this event was Sunday 21 June but due to the tragic passing of County Cork rider Shane O’Brien earlier that week, it was felt that it would not be appropriate for the event to go ahead so soon afterwards. Shane was well known across Ireland in both off-road and road cycling events. He was just 16 years old.<\/p>\n

Thanks to MBCC for rescheduling their event and to Coillte for the use of the forest. With this being a rescheduled event there were many riders who could not make the new date. This was the start of the summer holidays and many families had trips already booked. Those that were able to come along were treated to a great weekend of racing and a warm welcome from the club. While most of Ireland was under a blanket of clouds, County Cork had blue skies and pleasant temperatures. The track was running really fast. It had been shortened from the lap that was used for the 2025 National Championships. The race village was in the usual spot. The coffee van was unable to make the new date but the club stepped up with their own tea, coffee and tray bakes. Paul Joyce had returned to provide the racing commentary. Suncream and midge spray was the order of the day.<\/p>\n

The first race of the day was for the Under 6s. Grainne Bradley was the only entry in the Under 6s race and, rather than riding around the short track on her own, the Under 8 girls rode along behind her for the two laps keeping her company. A goodie bag awaited her at the finish line.<\/p>\n

The Under 8s then took on their course which took them up the forest road, dropping into the right hand side, passing the back of the timing tent, heading down the hill, along the side of the river before riding back up the hill to the finish. They had 3 laps to do. In the boys’ race Ollie Anderton took the win ahead of Conor McGrath (Fermoy Cycling Club) with Adam Ryan third and Vinny Cashin (Greenmount CA) fourth. In the girls’ race Elisa Tyszecka (MBCC) got her fourth win of the series. Alice Bell (Shelbourne\/Orchard CC) was second with Fiadh Bradley (Un-Attached Leinster) third. For the overall series it finished as per this race with Elisa, Alice and Fiadh finishing first, second and third respectfully in the Under 8 girls category.<\/p>\n

The Under 10s course took them further up the forest road before dropping into the right. They had 5 laps to complete. Naoise Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) took the win in the boys’ race which gave him the overall win in the series. Daniel Sheedy (Kilmallock Cycling Club) was second with Senan O’Brien (Square Wheels) third, leaving him second in the overall series. Evan McTavish (Western Lakes CC) was fourth and Thomas Ryan was fifth. In the girls’ race Marian Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) took the win which left her second overall for the series. Katie Cashin (Greenmount CA) finished second in her first appearance at the NPS this year.<\/p>\n

The Under 12s course took them much further up the forest road before they again dropped into the right hand side. They had 5 laps. Benjamin Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) has won each battle with Lewis Bell (Shelbourne\/Orchard CC) this season (first 4 rounds) but Benjamin missed Round 5. For Round 6 it was expected that these two riders would play cat and mouse again, one sitting on the rear wheel of the other, but this didn’t play out as Lewis went off hard from the start and held the gap over Benjamin. This win for Lewis wasn’t enough to change the overall series though as Benjamin lifted the trophy for 1st place overall, Lewis was second. Nicholas McCarthy (MBCC) finished third at this race much to the delight of the host club. Emilia Tyszecka (MBCC) was the only girl on the start line and this gave her her third win of the series and the overall trophy.<\/p>\n

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Overall series trophies ready to go out<\/p><\/div>\n

After the podium presentations for this race and the overall series, it was the turn of the Under 14s, Senior 1 women, Senior 2 women, Senior 3 women and Senior 4 open race riders to line up. There was only one entry in the Under 16 boys race and Ronan McCarthy (MBCC) chose to race at the later time with the Junior men.<\/p>\n

The Under 14 boys’ raced over a shortened version of the main course. R\u00edan Watkins (Galway MTB) put on another great performance making this his 6th win from 6 races. Cathal McTavish (Western Lakes CC) was second with Brian Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) third. There were no Under 14 girls nor Under 16 girls racing at Round 6.<\/p>\n

Gillian Kennedy (Agivey Cycling Club) was the only entry in the Senior 3 women’s category and was delighted as always to make it safely around the course. In the 3 lap Senior 2 women’s race Fiona Lally (Team WORC) got her fourth win in a row. Hazel Murphy (Cuchulainn CC) was second with Catriona Wheeler (Agivey Cycling Club) third. This was the same order as the overall standings for Senior 2 women. Joanna Bula (Team WORC) was the only entry in the Senior 1 women’s race and completed 4 laps. In the Senior 4 open race Renato Dalzochio (EPIC MTB) did lead at the end of the first lap but it was John Moran (EPIC MTB) who crossed the line first at the end of the two lap race. Justin Doherty (Dunloy CC) was second with Renato having to settle for third. Mark Bell (Shelbourne\/Orchard CC) was fourth with Tom Cotter (Fermoy Cycling Club) fifth.<\/p>\n

After more podium presentations, a cup of tea with a bun or two, it was time for the Senior 1s, Junior men, Under 16 rider, Senior 2s and Senior 3s to race. The temperature was leaving the faces dripping in sweat before the whistle started the race.<\/p>\n

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Senior 1s ready to go<\/p><\/div>\n

In the three lap Senior 3 race, there was a crash at the start which brought down Padraig Ryan (Fermoy Cycling Club) who managed to rejoin the pack as it headed up the hill. Leading the race for laps one and two was David McCarthy (MBCC) but it was Fergal Kilkenny (Hush MTB) who took the win giving him second place overall in the series. David had to settle for second in Cork, Gene Ryan (Velocity MTB) was third with Padraig Ryan fourth and Colin Smith (Square Wheels) fifth.<\/p>\n

In the four lap Senior 2 race Pj Hynes (Bellurgan Wheelers) led from start to finish getting his second win of the series but securing the overall trophy. Colm Bradley (EPIC MTB) was second in Cork and finished second overall in the series. John Doris (EPIC MTB) was third in Cork and finished third in the series. Jonny Adams (McConvey Cycles), with the Senior 3 overall title already secured, stepped up into Senior 2 and finished fourth in the race. Richard Felle (Team WORC) was fifth.<\/p>\n

In the four lap Junior men’s race Fionn Crinion (IMBRC) finished comfortably ahead of Darragh O’Keeffe (EPIC MTB). Ronan McCarthy completed 3 laps and also lifted the third place overall in the Under 16 boys’ category.<\/p>\n

In the five lap Senior 1 race Gary Donaldson (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) set out his stall early with the fastest time of the day and well ahead of the chasing field. Gary went on to win the race, his second win of the series, which secured him second place in the overall series. Fionn Desmond (MBCC) finished second in Cork with Sean Feeney (Team WORC) just finishing ahead of Michael Burton (Team WORC) who took the third place in the overall series. Ian O’Connell (Team WORC) finished fifth in Cork.<\/p>\n

With the youth playing in the river and the older ones hanging around chatting, that was a wrap for this race. A huge thanks to all those from MBCC for putting on the event. Thanks to our sponsors Cycleology and Cup and Cone for the podium gifts.<\/p>\n

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Thanks to all the riders for attending this event and the series overall. Also thanks to all the parents and supporters for cheering on those riders. Next up will be the National Cross-country Championships which will be held on 18-19 July. Entries are closing on Sunday 12 July.<\/p>\n

Commissaire: Martin Grimley<\/p>\n

Results<\/a>
\nFinal overall series table<\/a><\/p>\n

Report by Martin Grimley<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The sixth and final round of the 2026 Cross-country Mountain Bike National Point Series (NPS) took place on Sunday 5 July at Tracton Woods in County Cork. The original date for this event was Sunday 21 June but due to the tragic passing of County Cork rider Shane O’Brien earlier that week, it was felt… <\/p>\n

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