The new cyclocross race course and skill zone is taking shape on the national sports campus in west Dublin (All photos by Andy Layhe)
The new purpose-built cyclocross course in Dublin has seen a flurry of construction activity in recent weeks. Indeed, one part of it will be ready to train on in the spring.
Situated on the National Sports Campus (NSC) in west Dublin, the new facility has a skills zone and is only the third of its kind in Europe.
There are also purpose-built cyclocross tracks with skill zones at the Sven Nys Centre in Belgium and the UCI headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland.
“It’s wonderful news to finally see the work of the last 18 months coming to fruition,” said Irish cyclocross coordinator Andy Layhe of the construction work completed in the last couple of weeks.
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“I originally visited the site during the summer of 2017 and an official proposal document was put to Sport Ireland.”
He added that Sport Ireland had the “vision to progress and see cyclocross as a serious foundation in the development of young cyclists” in Ireland.
“It’s a sport where fun and enjoyment is paramount and can be achieved within a safe environment,” Layhe said.
“Not only does the (Sport Ireland) campus provide state-of-the-art sports facilities to elite athletes in Ireland but more importantly it offers valuable amenities to the local community.
“We see the development of cyclocross within the campus as a centre for the growth not only for our elite athletes but also a place to grow and nurture young talent and those wishing to be introduced to cyclocross at any level or age group.”
Carrying out the construction work has been the Donnybrook Landscaping Company. It’s participation in the project is very positive in that company owner Paddy Daly is an off-road racing cyclist.
It means the skill zone and the cyclocross course are being built by a team working under an experienced landscaper and cyclocross rider in Daly; an ideal combination.
Phase one of the cyclocross project is the construction of the skills zone. It contains mounds of earth, running step sections as well as sandpit and hurdles.
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These are all common features of a cyclocross course and will help Irish riders hone their skills.
Phase one started two weeks ago and is almost complete. Some 80 tonnes of soil was transferred to the zone and the construction of steps in put place.
Three large mounds of earth form part of the skills area, with a maximum height of 2.5 metres and a length of 30 metres.
The long-term plan is for the Sport Ireland campus to house a fully operational cyclocross course. It will be based on UCI regulations.
Events will be staged there, within the proximity of the campus. The skills zone should be fully functional by next spring.
Construction on Phase 2, the cyclocross course itself, was also started just begun. This involves the clearing of a three-metre wide channel through dense woodland.
This section with link in with additional areas designated to form part of the larger 2½-3km long course.
A purpose-built wooden bridge has also been constructed and links the skills area to the first woodland area to provide a loop for riders to train.
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