Connacht MTB Champs 2011

CONNACHT MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011

76 Cyclists came to the MTB championships in Ross Wood, Rosscahill, Co.Galway

Promoted by Connemara MTB club and a lot of work put in to make this event a very challenging one, held over a 8k circuit.

The youth section got off first on a smaller circuit and there was great competition in the all age groups, the under 12 followed by under 10 and after 1min the under 14 got off the line.

Tom Fox had a great afford to take the under 10 followed closely by Jonathan Walsh in second and Andrea Burke Innisfree in third

Under 12 Michael Jalman was very quick in this age group and in second place Ben Cleggett, with Jack Noone in third.

The under 14 race was a great race and a very close finish, Predator cyclist Deirmuid Harvey had a very close race with Camin Muldoon Seven Springs

But at the line Harvey had the sprint to hold off Muldoon and Joseph Clancy, Predator in third.

Again this season Philip Comerford Predator and Shane Mulchrone Covey Wheelers, Westport are watching each other closely and they came over the line neck and neck, Philip took the sprint by a tyre from Mulchrone, Philip O’Malley, Covey Wheelers, Westport in third.

Junior, Brendan Scullion Western Lakes had an easy win as the others in the group retired with mechanical failure.

YOUTH RESULTS

Under 10

1…Tom Fox

2…Jonathan Walsh

3…Andrea Burke Innisfree C.C

Under 12

1…Michael Jalman

2…Ben Cleggett

3…Jack Noone

Under 14

1…Deirmuid Harvey Predator

2…Camin Muldoon 7 springs

3…Joseph Clancy

Under 16
1…Philip Comerford, Predator
2…Shane Mulchrone Covey Wheelers, Westport
3…Philip O’Malley, Covey Wheelers, Westport

JUNIOR
1…Brendan Scullion, Western Lakes

The senior section was well attended but only a few Elites turned out and Three of those had to retire with mechanical problems; one of those was Westcoast Wheelers cyclist Anthony Testa who put in the fastest time of the day returning 36mins for the 8k circuit.Michael Flanagan held off Padraig Marrey for all of the 3 laps, Mike took the win having an average time of 39mins 4sec for the three laps, Jon Hynes was third

The Expert had some good racing John Clarke took the win from Michael McDonagh and Gerhard Hack Western Lakes in Third

Sport had the largest entry of the day and they had 2 laps of the 8k circuit

Darren McGann Westcoast Wheelers showed he has the power holding off his nearest rival Sean Holland by 4 mins at the line, in third place was Derek Hynes

RESULTS

Elite
1…Michael Flanagan Western Lakes
2…Padraig Marrey Western Lakes
3…Jon Hynes MBCC

Expert
1…Peter Walsh, Ballyhoura
2…Michael McDonagh, U/A
3…Gerhard Hack Western Lakes

Sport
1…Darren McGann Westcoast Wheelers
2…Sean Holland CMTB
3…Derek Hynes CMTB

Ladies
1…Sadhbh Baxter Westcoast Wheelers
2…Brenda Scaillion
3…Ruth Kilcawley

This year, on Sunday October 9th we will be hosting the Connacht MTB Champs for Connacht Cycling in Rosscahill Woods. This is an open championship so anyone can enter. There will be lots of categories -Elite, Expert, Sports, Juniors, Ladies, Vets, U-16, U-14, U-12 and U-10 and a prize for the best placed singlespeed. Races will start at 11am with sign on from 10am. The Connacht medals will be awarded at a prizegiving cermony in November but there will be prizes on the day as well. Entry fee is only €10 for seniors, €5 for juniors and €3 for underage.

The race trail is the 8km club loop (90% singletrack) and is a good technical test. Come along and support mountain biking in the West!

Directions: Heading west to Clifden from Galway on the N59 turn right in Rosscahill (signposted for Brigit’s Garden), forest is on your right after about 1 km.