MTB RACING - XC NPS Races 2014

[BrianM]

Yup, a longer tougher race than it sounds on paper.. with the amount of Coillte single track in the loop you would be expecting a handy enough time out but when set up in the right order as done by the Ballyhoura lads there was just no let up from the peddling! Some new and old Coillte sections coupled with a tough technical drop section at the start of the loop which was a bit erm.. marred by the weather and the great 'old car park' section at the end of the loop with some steep drops (was included in 2012 marathon champs) made for a great race. Ballyhoura never disappoints, so glad I went now as the day previous involved a lot of analyzing weather charts and contemplating travelling at all but the sun shone for all of the race and it was actually quite hot out there. Unfortunately I will miss the next round in Garvagh Forest but cant wait for Bellurgan Park. Great days racing by all, well done. Now I am off to scratch the shite out of these midge bites

[BShaugh]

mud bath in Belfast now live on the site - fair play lads!

http://racing795.com/2014/06/13/xc-nps- ... n-belfast/

also round 4

http://racing795.com/2014/06/13/ballyho ... s-round-4/

[DavidF]

Jim and Ciara made the long trek north for NPS Rd 6 today

Ciara was 2nd in S3 ladies, well done Ciara

Unfortunately Jim had to pull out with a back injury.

[DavidT]

Well done Ciara!

[lazyboypops]

The last round is on this weekend in Bellurgan Park.

I'm registered, anybody else up for it?

[DavidF]

Probably, although school reunion on Saturday night might put a spanner in the works

[BrianM]

Will not be able to make this.. plan to be at the nationals in Fossa though, best of luck to all racing

[Jonny_Irish]

I'm signed in and suprise Slawek is signed as well

[DavidF]

Well done to Miron and especially Slawek on his first NPS in the s4

Jim and I made up the numbers at the back of the s3 field. A great course, 95% singtetrack and bone dry! Having raced here before in the wet that was a bonus!

The pace in the s3 race was unnatural..Fast and furious from the start. I reckon the standard in s3 has taken a huge jump this year. 2 yrs ago I was finishing mostly around the top 20 in fields of 60+, this year I reckon even though i'm in much better shape I'm just trying to hang on at the back of the field

The singletrack was amazeballs and the racing great. One slight mistake and you were shuffled back through the field. Jim got a great start and I was at the pin of my collar trying to stay with him. Managed to get past at the end of the first lap and then onto a train of half a dozen or so riders. Got past most and had a good battle with some lad on the last lap. it was a short-ish race I finished in 1:08, Jim a few minutes back.

One the best race venues in Ireland was glad I made the trip even with my 7-pint-school-reunion hangover

Well done to Sinead of the ML Syndicate as well who was 3rd in the Womens S3 and Rudolf who finished well up in s2

Can't believe thats the NPS done for this year! Roll on the cyclocross season

[DavidF]

Results

http://www.j15ulsterxc.dromaracc.co.uk/ ... lurgan.htm