Dean Harvey (McConvey Cycles) has said he has his eyes fixed on a "big" cyclocross campaign next season after his fourth win in the senior men's race at the National Cyclocross Championships in Co Cavan.
Though Harvey's main focus has always been on the road, and his 2025-26 'cross season was a reduced one, he has now come back to an Irish club and says off-road will be a big part of his future.
On Sunday at Castle Saunderson he went into an early lead, though former national cyclocross champion and U23 road race champion, Chris Dawson (Dawson Racing) kept him honest all the way. And while the gap between winner Harvey and runner-up Dawson was 23 seconds on the line, Dawson had reduced that a little on the penultimate lap.
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Another former Irish cyclocross champion, Darnell Moore (Caldwell Powerhouse) claimed the bronze medal in what were cold and muddy conditions at the Breffni Wheelers-promoted championships.
David Montgomery of Spellman Dublin Port rode a really consistent race, taking 4th place and making it all former Irish champions in that top four. Another man who picked off riders that went ahead early, Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) was 5th.
He was followed by Travis Harkness; the young Lyon Sprint Evolution rider first U23 on the day. He was impressive, having really attacked the racing from the start.
In 7th came top road man Ruairi Byrne (UCD Cycling Club), who was the first non-Ulster rider to finish, then eSports international Richie Barry (St Finbarr's) and Ian O'Connell (Team WORC), followed by Tim O'Regan (VeloRevolution-Speed Queen), to round out the top 10.
"It was a tough race, conditions on the course made it really heavy and it was hard from the start," said Harvey, shivering in the cold after winning his fourth gold medal in as many years. "It was a close race with Chris and I was always on my limit from start to finish."
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Clockwise from top left: David Montgomery on his way to 4th, Darnell Moore races towards bronze, best U23 Travis Harkness jumps the planks and 5th placed Graham Boyd knee deep in mud (Photos: Toby Watson)
He won last year in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and the previous year in Limerick. The first of his four wins came in Co Louth.
"I think today is definitely the toughest I've had," said the 23-year-old former Trinity Racing rider. "I sort of knew it was going to be like that. The course wasn't really the best for me, it was a bit out of my comfort zone. I prefer a bit more flat stuff.
"But I'm happy, I knew it was possible so it's good to get it done. It's a big relief, I knew it was going to be a tougher race this year because I'm not quite as good as I was before, I don't think, and the course was a tough one for me."
Asked what was next, now that he's back with McCoveys, he pointed to his off-road, specifically next season in cyclocross.
"I think I'm going to have a rest now, relax for a bit and then some road, some mountain biking and get ready for a big cyclocross season next season," he said.
And while it looked like he won it well yesterday, though Dawson definitely pushed him, Harvey said he was determined from the start to focus on his own performance and see where that took him.
"I knew I just wanted to try and ride my own race, get a clean start and just settle into a rhythm. There was a few points I could check where the gap was but I was never not on my limit."
