Last year's National Cyclocross Championships in Belfast was a mud bath and given the rain forecast for coming days, this Sunday's showdown looks set to be even worse (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
The organisers of Sunday’s National Cyclocross championships are promising one of the best races in years and a course that will “suit a rider with great physical strength, stamina and the ability to handle a bike under pressure”.
Indeed, with rain forecast right up until race day, competitors can expect extremely trying conditions on a course layout based on the design of a national series track in the UK.
“It’s extremely testing, as it should be for a national championships,” said race spokeswoman Caroline Martinez.
“It was designed by our event manager David O’Neill who has a huge amount of experience in the field.
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“There are a series of muddy banked corners, frequent elevation changes and many tough running sections.
The conditions last year were very challenging but it didn't stop hard racing with some great action all day (Photo: Toby Watson)
“During our trial runs, we rode it in about 9:30 minutes," Martinez said of the course.
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"It has pretty much all you need for a good cyclocross course and those who have been training or racing in the UK will be at an advantage.”
To that end, the elite men’s event could be a closer run thing than many expect, with 18-time champion Robin Seymour the overwhelming favourite.
“Robin has been consistent over the years but there are new racers emerging every year,” continued Martinez.
“Last November, Glen Kinning, David Montgomery and Tim O’Regan travelled to the Milton Keynes World Cup for a UCI-ranked event and they got to mix it with the best in the world.
"That experience doesn’t count for nothing.
“In the women's event, Fran Meehan is the best Irish rider out there but the women have stepped up their game and will give her a good run on Sunday.”
Promoting club McNally Swords CC believes this Sunday's course contains plenty of features to test all aspects of the riders' skills (Photo: Toby Watson)
Notes on the championships
- The host club, McNally Swords CC have advised that there be on-street parking available all around the Ward River Valley Park where the day’s three races will be held.
- Additional parking will be available nearby and there will be marshals here to direct patrons visiting on the day.
- There will be changing facilities but there are NO shower facilities.
- The event is free – and the park will still be open to the public on the day.
Timetable of events
- 10.30am — Sign on opens.
- 10.45am — Course open for practice
- 11.15am — Race 1 - support race. Estimated time 45 mins. All non-IRL codes, novice riders with CI licence, IVCA licence holders.
- 12 noon — Prize-giving for support race at the finish line.
- 12 noon — Course open for practice.
- 12.30pm — Race 2 - junior men, veteran men (M40, M50 & M60), junior women, senior women championship race. The races will be let off in that order, at 1 min intervals. Estimated race time, 45 mins.
- 13.15pm — Course open for practice. Hot food served.
- 14.00pm — Race 3 -senior men, U23 men and senior men's team championship race. Race time approximately 1 hour.
- 15.30pm — Prize-giving for championship races and hot food served.
- 16.00pm — Course closed.
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