Heverin and Jenkins Claim First Senior National Titles at Bike Fest in Dublin Docklands
Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock was the scene for some fast and furious criterium racing with the Cycling Ireland Criterium National Championship taking place alongside Cycle Fest – a family friendly event to mark the end of Bike Week 2026.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam was in attendance to wave the first starting flag of the day, ably assisted by his son.
The event brought into Dublin City Centre, the 981m circuit began on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, with riders turning left onto Blood Stoney Road, left again onto Hanover Quay. Another sharp left onto Benson Street was quickly followed by a right onto the cobbles on Green Street East and then onto Stevens Walk before returning onto the start / finish straight on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.
Open Race
Changeable weather throughout the day made the Docklands course a tough test for all riders, with last year’s Junior Tour of Ireland winner Matthew Walls sliding out on the first lap. Walls battled back however and ended up in a large leading group by the halfway point in the race.
Rapha’s James Jenkins got to the front early and stayed there for the entirety, despite attacks from juniors Curtis McKee and James Armstrong. A group of four got away late in the race, with Jenkins and Armstrong joined by Tadhg Killeen and Oisin Ferrity, but they were being chased relentlessly by another small group, spearheaded by two-time Criterium National Champion John Buller.
As the groups came back together in the closing laps, Jenkins jumped out ahead and would ultimately stay away to win his first National Championship, with Banbridge’s Buller taking second and Kilcullen’s Killeen taking third.
Jenkins spoke to media afterwards, and praised the event, saying: “Obviously I’m really proud and excited to have won, but even just getting to race here. How often do you get to race on the streets of Dublin? It was hard, technical race, so I just got to the front from the start. I knew my best bet to win the race was on my own so I tried to get away a few times and managed to, got pulled back, then got away again with maybe five to go and held a small gap. Really happy.”
Women’s Race
Heavy rain just before the start of the Women’s race meant the already technical course was made even more difficult to navigate for the field. A group of four riders got a gap early, Cycling Ireland Performance Pathway and Cams Majaco rider Emer Heverin, still a first year junior, finding herself in some incredibly strong company; last year’s Criterium National Champion Aine Doherty, Paralympian and multi time para World Champion tandem pilot Linda Kelly, and Olympian Erin Creighton.
The Dan Morrisey-Pissei pairing of Kelly and Doherty worked together with Creighton and Heverin to drag the group further and further away from the field, chased only by a trio of Gabrielle Fox, Freya Whiteside and Elena Wallace in the closing laps.
The race ultimately came down to a sprint finish between the four leaders, with Heverin taking top spot at the line, with Doherty and Kelly having to settle for second and third respectively.
Events Village
As well as showcasing some of Ireland’s top national and international cyclists the day include great participation events and an event village for spectators and competitors to explore.
Proving to be one of the most crowd-pleasing events in the day, the Brompton race not only attracted high entries but great crowds cheering everyone on. The premise of the race was simple, riders had to unfold their Brompton bike at the start line, get on, and race five laps around the circuit.
It was a family affair with Annalise Murphy winning the Women’s division and her husband Cian Bailey coming third in the Men’s division. 2012 London Olympian Martyn Irvine had to settled for second, with Sean Lundy topping the podium in great style. Susie Mitchell finished second in the Women’s category.
Also proving very popular was the Balance Bike race which saw young race along the finish straight of the circuit, giving the next generation a flavour of racing.
Shortly after the Balance Bike race was the Family and Inclusive Cycle. This wasn’t a competitive race, however, it gave families a unique opportunity to ride around the city centre circuit.
There was a great selection of retailers at the Events Village, and some exciting interactive stands. Spectators battled it out on the interactive roller racing rig at the Cycling Ireland tent and able to chat to Lucan BMX and enjoy flatland BMX displays.
Youth Races
The day also featured a slate of youth racing, starting with a strong Under 12’s mixed Boys and Girls race. Waterford’s Sophia Quigley took top spot in the Girls category ahead of Sliabh Luachra’s Caroline Collins and Western Lakes’ Emily O’Neill in second and third respectively. The Boys category was won by Collin’s Sliabh Luachra club mate George Cleverly, ahead of Orwell Wheelers’ Tadgh Connolly in second and Bear Cycling’s Jaxon Jennings in third.
Dubliner Vicky Sevastopulo, riding for Sundrive, relished riding the streets of her city and took the top spot in the Under 14 Girls race. Sliabh Luachra’s Cara O’Sullivan took second and Daria Murphy of Orwell third.
The Under 16 Girls race was won by Naoise Byrne Carlow RCC ahead of Foyle’s Clodagh Quigley in second and Breffni Wheelers’ Ava Baker in third.
Darragh Quigley took top spot in the Under 14 Boys race for Foyle CC ahead of Lynx CC rider Fabian Drwal in second and Breffni Wheelers’ Billy Lord in third.
The Under 16 Boys race saw Bohermeen pair Eoin Davis and Craig Ennis jump out to an early lead, working together to open the gap to the rest of the field. Davis ultimately came out on top with Ennis in second and Dan Morrissey’s Tom Lane in third.
Masters Races
Despite the initial bright start to the morning, by the time the Masters took the Dublin streets the cobbles had already become damp and slippy, with the transitions between road surfaces proving a tough challenge for riders.
A group of four got away early but was soon cut to a group of three as Bryan McCrystal succumbed to the tough conditions and slid out on one of the tight corners. The remaining trio of Neill Delahaye, Paul Kennedy and Adam Greally pulling the gap to the rest of the field wider with every lap. The race featured two primes, with Delahaye and Kennedy taking one each in a sprint from the lead group. Another sprint finish saw Burren’s Kennedy take the win, just ahead of Delahaye in second and St. Tiernan’s Greally in third. Bray Wheelers’ Jason Howick took the prize for the top non placed M50.
The event was run with the support of Dublin City Council, and hosted by UCD and Dublin Bay Cycling Club, along with the Leinster Promotion Group. A special thanks to Cycling Ireland partners Kinetica, McKvr and Spin 11 for their support.