Ireland's former junior world champion in downhill, Oisin O'Callaghan, has moved up to the senior ranks and taken 12th in the World Championships today in Fort William, Scotland. That was a very strong performance, especially considering he had battled injury to even make the start line.
O'Callaghan, from Co Limerick, suffered a grade 5 ankle ligament tear in Italy just four weeks ago but worked hard at his base in Ballyhoura to get himself back into the condition required to race today and make an impression on a difficult day given the rain.
However, Fort William is a course that rides very well in the wet and where the mud was thin today despite the conditions, with O'Callaghan whipping down the course and being in the hot seat, in 3rd place, for a long time.
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And while he was gradually bumped down the result, off the podium and into a final position of 12th, as many of the big name riders arrived onto the course, he can be happy with his result at this level.
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“The race run’s done, I’m stoked at the result and my best elite result so far – I ended up in 12th," he said. "I couldn’t be happier really, it’s close to the top ten so that’s a goal for the next one. I’m happy to be flying the Irish flag high and bringing it home for the Irish fans out there.”
The world title was won by Charlie Hatton (Great Britain) by 0.599 from Austria's Andreas Kolb. Great Britain also took the bronze with Laurie Greenland, at 1.229 completing what was a very popular podium for the home crown in Fort William.
Ireland's O'Callaghan was 6.587 off the winner in 12th place - of 70 riders in the final - with Christopher Cumming 42nd at 15.985. Conor Bate placed was 49th for Ireland at 19.520 while team mate Niall Clerkin was 51st at 20.146.
More to come.
