2023 Downhill National Championships Preview
Action from the 2022 Downhill National Championships (Image: Atomcreates)
It's Downhill National Championships week as the best downhill riders descend on Dublin's Glencullen Adventure Park to see who will be crowned national champion.
Hosted by GAP MTB, the 2023 Downhill National Championships take place on Saturday, July 22nd, and Sunday, July 23rd.
Practice and seeding runs on Saturday will set the tone for Sunday's National Championships race runs along what's set to be a challenging course for riders.
National Championship races will take place in the following categories: Senior men, Women, Junior men, M30 men, M40 men, M50 men as well as U14 and U16 boys and girls.
One of the best disciplines of cycling for spectators, the high octane world of downhill racing makes for great viewing from the side of the course.
Some of the top names in Irish Downhill racing were in action in May in the first round of the Downhill National Series (Irish Downhill Mountainbike Series) at Carrick Mountain, read more here.
The second round of the Downhill National Series takes place on 5th/6th August in Killarney, Co. Kerry, hosted by Tralee Bay MTB. Entries are open here.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2023 Downhill National Championships:
Course Preview
Location
Glencullen Adventure Park, Ballybrack Rd, Glencullen, Dublin, D18 Y673
The GAP is located on the Dublin/Wicklow mountain border and just 20 minutes from Dublin city centre by car or taxi.
Schedule
Friday, July 21st
16:00 - 18:00 SIGN ON
17:00 ONWARDS TRACK WALK
Saturday, July 22nd
08:30 - 10:30 SIGN ON
09:30 - 13:00 PRACTICE
13:00 - 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 - 16:00 SEEDING RUNS
16:00 - 17:00 EL CLASSIC CUP
Sunday, July 23rd
09:30 - 13:00 PRACTICE
13:00 - 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 - 16:00 RACE RUNS
17:00 - 18:00 PODIUMS
The current schedule is provisional and subject to change.
Quotes Corner
GAP MTB said:
"We are in the final stages of completing our checklist here at GAP MTB in preparation for the Downhill National Championships next week. On Monday, we will have the track preview with Dan Wolfe, and he will return on Wednesday, July 19th, to provide coaching for the U14's and U16's. Gavin Carroll will be providing additional coaching on the 20th, and we've scheduled more track walks on Friday."
"Our primary focus is to ensure that the underage riders are well-prepared for the big day. The weekend will have a chilled festival atmosphere, with a jam-packed race village supported by our main race sponsors JHI/Cyclon/BBB/High Five. We also have a relaxation retreat provided by Tigh'n Alluis with saunas and hot tubs for racers to recoup after the day's practice and seeding on Saturday. We are really looking forward to the event and excited to see who will be crowned the Champion!"
Start List
Start lists can be viewed here.