Dickson and Maunsell take victories in opening round of the Downhill National Series
Eventual winner of the Women’s category, Leah Maunsell, storms through the top section at Round One of the Cycling Ireland Downhill National Series in Rostrevor. (Image by Atom Creates)
More than 300 riders made their way to Rostrevor, Co. Down for some electric racing at Round One of the National Downhill Series last weekend (2/3 April 2022).
Conditions for practice were cold yet bright on Saturday morning as the competitors made their way up to the trail prepared by the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Club. The track offered a variety of challenges to all taking part, including loose corners, steep drops, and technical rock sections.
The seeding run, which defines the running order for the Sunday race, took place on Saturday afternoon with Shannon McAuley taking the honours in the women’s category, Jacob Dickson for the men’s elite category, and Max Schone for the junior men.
No sooner was the action on Saturday over, than the Event Village was waking up again to the whirring of camper-van generators and bike brakes being tested ahead of the hard racing action soon to begin.
More practice in the morning allowed riders to adjust to the different track conditions arising from the deep frost overnight. Fortunately the warm sun saw great conditions emerge before the final race runs which rolled out from 2pm.
Downhill racing sees those who were slowest in the seeding run leave first for the race run, building to the faster riders at the end battling it out for the three podium positions. The youngest riders go first, moving through various other categories, and ending with the elite racers.
The Rostrevor course also hosts a section known well in the Irish Downhill community by the name of ‘Heckler’s Rock’. The challenging obstacle sees riders negotiate the large outcrop to the sound of screaming spectators and roaring chainsaws (with chains removed!).
Jacob Dickson sweeps down ‘Heckler’s Rock’ en route to victory at Round One of the Cycling Ireland Downhill National Series in Rostrevor last weekend. (Image by Atom Creates)
All of the riders, from beginners to elite, enjoyed this buzzing finale in the bright sunshine, with some close racing entertaining everyone present.
The Elites set the course alight and ultimate victory went to Jacob Dickson with an extraordinary time of 2:09:832. Dickson’s world class compatriot Ronan Dunne took it to the wire with a 2:10:560, and Dunne’s teammate, Chris Cunningham, brought it home in 2:15:149.
In the Women’s race Leah Maunsell took the win with a time of 3:01:574, beating Shannon McAuley as the rider seeded first, McAuley finishing in 3:06:461, followed by young Hannah Harvey in a time of 3:13:169.
Daniel Lappin took the crown in the Juniors with a time of 2:22:826, followed by Max Schone in 2:29:034, and Joe Wilton a fraction behind Schone in 2:29:547.
A highly competitive Seniors group ended with a victory for Joel Hamilton in 2:23:366, Jake Cavanagh was less than a second behind in 2:24:341, and Ruairi Kernan finished in 2:35:348.
The Masters 50 group saw a podium of Joe Ward, Mark Byrne, and Craig Elliot in first second, and third. In the Masters 40 group, Glyn O’Brien, Michael Cowan, and Dale McMullan took the honours with O’Brien laying down a rapid 2:28:414 for his race day run. The Masters 30 category continued the impressive pace as Seamus Maher finished in a stunning 2:19:690, with Philip Mullan in second, and Laurence Farrington third.
In the younger categories Darragh Ryan took the Juvenile win with a stunning 2:32:151, while rising star Callum Morris took the Youth category in a time of 2:24:320.
The Sports section witnessed Stephen Jenkins in first, Deividas Ravaitis in second, and Joey Gillen in third.