Irish Elite Downhill Team Going From Strength To Strength 




Irish Downhill team Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing have gone from strength to strength in recent years as they make waves on the international scene. 


Owned by Mark and Jennifer Cumming and based at Rostrevor Mountain Lodge, Co. Down, Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing was founded in 2021 have big ambitions for 2023 after a successful two years. 


They're the first-ever Irish team to have been selected as a UCI Elite World Cup team and will compete in international competitions such as UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Series in 2023. 


The team’s focus in 2022 was based around two of Irish Downhill Cycling’s hottest prospects in Ronan Dunne and Chris Cumming, but they have also made additions to their team ahead of the new season. 


And the pair delivered consistent success for the team as Ronan Dunne collected fourth place and a podium in the World Cup Snowshoe Stage as well as consistent top twenty finishes and the Irish national title. 


Chris Cumming has also enjoyed plenty of success in his first two years as an elite rider, picking up wins at Irish and international races. 


And the team have added two women’s riders to their roster for the upcoming season in Veronika Widmann and Louise Anna Ferguson making them the first elite team to have an equal amount of male and female riders. 


Widmann has been a consistent performer at World Cup level over the past five seasons, finishing third in the overall standings in 2022, while young Scottish prospect Ferguson comes into the team after a debut season that saw her pick up multiple victories in the Crankworx World Series and a podium at the Leogang World Cup stage.  


Continental Nukeproof Factory Racing boasts a prestigious list of sponsors as well as primary sponsors Continental Tires and Nukeproof Bikes as they look to build on a successful 2022. 


Team Manager Mark Cumming said:

"We are very excited about our prospects for 2023 as an Elite UCI Team retaining Ronan (Dunne) and Chris (Cummings) coupled with the addition of two new female athletes in Veronika (Widmann) and Louise (Anna Ferguson) projects a very positive image of who we are and the ethos behind the team."
"Two years ago, we embarked upon setting up a World Cup team to compete at international events. Last Friday, we were awarded elite status to be now in the top fifteen teams in the world. For us it's unbelievable to be an Irish team competing at the highest level and with the Irish national champion in Ronan Dunne on our roster is brilliant for the Irish Downhill cycling."

 

Find out more about the team here.