The pros get underway (Photo: Stephen Kane)
A massive crowd and almost 200 racers braved the cold, sunny weather in Ratoath, Co Meath, for the return of BMX racing to Ireland after a break of 25 years.
Riders from 4-years to their mid 50s spent the weekend ripping around the pristine new track, the brainchild of former Irish pro riders Shay McNally and Eamon Wyer.
Though a number of pros flew from the UK and put on a great show, it was a day that belonged to the domestic racers, young and old, who created a genuinely triumphant atmosphere.
Such were the sheer numbers that turned out that the local gardai spent most of the day outside the track trying to find parking spaces for the droves that just kept coming and coming from all over the country.
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Wyer told stickybottle.com that Ratoath BMX club had been simply overwhelmed by the response to the new track and the programme of racing laid on on Sunday.
“It’s great to see so many kids came along and enjoyed it. It just goes to show that there’s serious demand out there and the important thing now is that this is just the start of what will be a lively scene; it bodes well for the future, that’s for sure.”
Former British national champion and former UK No 1 Kelvin Batey, who has now declared for Ireland, described the turnout as “amazing”.
“It’s genuinely incredible that the guys have gotten a track like this built in just a matter of months,” he said.
“Even with the biggest BMX clubs in the UK, I really don’t think you’d see these kinds of numbers. BMX took a dip for a good few years, but all you have to do is look around you here today to see that it’s back. It’s fantastic to see.”
Racing on the floodlit track started just before 1pm, a little later than expected because of teething problems with managing such huge numbers, on what was after all the track’s maiden race meeting.
But once underway, the action never stopped. Spectators crammed every inch of the course, eager to take in all of the action.
While riders like Grant Hill, Alex Holiday and Irish downhill king Ger Wolfe put on a great show, it was Batey who stole the day. He simply romped away with the pro race, really making it look easy.
But some of the younger kids had clearly been practicing hard in Ratoath in recent weeks, with children from the age of five well able to storm around the track.
A word of warning, though, for anyone planning to have a go in the weeks and months ahead; it’s a slightly more testing track than you’d think, so if you or your kids are planning to let rip, getting plenty of practice before racing is a must.
That warning aside, the track proved very safe on Sunday with just a couple of spills for the race organisers to deal with.
The format of three heats for everyone, before a points tally decides the semi-final line-up in each age group, means all racers get at least three races.
From a spectator point of view, the action was simply endless; with riders taking to the start gate before the last race had even finished. And with most of the track clearly visible from any vantage point, it really was a great day out with very little time left hanging around.
A massive congratulations from stickybottle to everyone who made the dream a reality. And we look forward to covering the racing and supporting you in whatever way we can well into the future. Fair play!
Nov 27th: Ratoath BMX ‘A’ Final Results
Under 7 (twelve riders)
1. Reece Donohoe
2. Matthew Fitzgibbon
3. Lee O’Sullivan
Under 9 (ten riders)
1. Emma Jeffers
2. Emmet Murphy
3. Cian O’Sullivan
Under 10 (twelve riders)
1. Luke McDonald
2. Sean Williams
3. Calum Clinton
Under 11 (eleven riders)
1. Andrew Connors
2. Sean McKeown
3. Brian O’Kavanagh
Under 12 (seventeen riders)
1. Leon Donohoe
2. Adam Davis
3. Aaron McNally
Under 13 (nineteen riders)
1. Eoin Corrigan
2. Matthew Malone
3. Jack Doherty
Under 14 (ten riders)
1. Mark Jeffers
2. Aaron Edwards
3. Jake Lynch
Under 15 (nine riders)
1. Jack Clarke
2. Darragh Hoare
3. Ryan Waters
Under 17 (eleven riders)
1. Collin Clague
2. Cameron Jeffers
3. Alex Holiday
18-25 years (ten riders)
1. Grant Hill
2. Gavin Carroll
3. Jamie McCullough
25-35 (ten riders)
1. Gerard Wolfe
2. Ben Schultz
3. Dara Burke
35+ (twenty four riders)
1. Kelvin Bately
2. Kevin McShane
3. Chad Gilmer
Open Wheel Class
1. Glyn O’Brien
2. Gavin O’Connell
3. Duncan Lees
See a full set of photos below, we’ll have video later.
And they’re off (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Aerial photo from early in the day, just as the crowd began to gather
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Getting high on one of the turns (Photo: Stephen Kane)
There was some fierce competition from racers of all ages (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Kelvin Batey really did make it look easy (Photo: Mark Dempsey)
Kelvin Batey was pushed close by some of the U7s, taking them out on the final bend was a bit much though……. (Photo: Mark Dempsey)
Getting to grips with the more-testing-than-you-think track (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Get up outta that (Photo: Mark Dempsey)
The floodlights make Ratoath a year-round facility (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Some nice flag action at the end of a great day
Another great shot from Stephen Kane
Well kitted out (Photo: Stephen Kane)
The kids were psyched (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Some of the more experienced riders really gave it socks (Photo: Stephen Kane)
This little guy was in the first race down for decision (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Another one of the kids gets to grips with the new track (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Nice moves (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Getting some air (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Vintage Raleigh Burner: Giddy up! (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Cleats were used by the more experienced riders (Photo: Stephen Kane)
Good to see some of the slightly older dudes loving it (Photo: Stephen Kane)
At times the racing got close (Photo: Stephen Kane)
The main thing is, you gotta look good (Photo: Stephen Kane)
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