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A field of over 200 riders has pre-entered for the first race meeting on Ratoath’s new BMX track on Sunday, with leading pro riders from the UK and Ireland jetting in from abroad for the event.
Irish riders will get an opportunity to pit themselves against the professionals in a series of open races to be run alongside the full schedule of age-related events.
Each rider will ride at least three races, with points to be awarded in all three and those with the highest tally progressing to a semi final in their age group and then a final if they make it that far.
One of the organisers of the event, former pro rider Eamonn Wyer told stickybottle the Ratoath club was delighted with the level of interest.
“We’ve had a really good mix of young kinds, from four-year-olds up to teenagers and also loads of guys who used to race years ago. We’ve even got guys in their 50s entering to give it a go so we couldn’t be happier with the response; we’ve age groups for all of them.”
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Wyer and his colleagues at Ratoath BMX club, including fellow ex-pro Shay McNally, have spent the last fortnight getting the new all-weather floodlit track in pristine condition for the races.
While the event is a BMX one, there will also be a number of races for those not riding the 20-inch wheel bikes, meaning riders with mountain bikes can show up and have a few blasts down the fast 40-second track.
Wyer says that given the level of interest, the club’s plan of organising regular daytime weekend races and midweek evening events now looks like a reality.
But for now he says Sunday is the main focus.
“As well as the huge number of entries, we’ve got a number of pro riders coming in, some of the leading guys from the UK; one guy is even coming in on a private plane for it from the Isle of Man because it’s the only way to get off the island at this time of year. So it will be great to be able to see them in action and, of course, for people to get the chance to race against them.”
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Heading up the Irish challenge will be Kelvin Batey, the leading riding in the country. He is eligible to ride for both Great Britain and Ireland. Having already been to an Olympics with the GB team, he has now decided to declare for Ireland to try and add impetus to what is effectively the relaunch of BMX racing here after a break of almost twenty five years.
Leading British riders Grant Hill of the GB Olympic squad and Jack Hall, the 16-year-old two-time British champion, are also in town as. Other leading British riders Cameron Jeffers and Colin Clague are also making the trip.
Clague, one of the leading British riders in the 15-16-year-old category is making the trip on a private plane from the Isle of Man with his parents. The plane and pilot are the same that used to flew none other than deceased motorbike legend Joey Dunlop to and from the Isle of Man for races there.
Bring the kids along on Sunday. It promises to be a good one and very spectator friendly. Practice starts at 9am, racing at 11am.
Ireland’s Kelvin Batey will be in Ratoath on Sunday
Grant Hill (No 67) getting a bit of air
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