Downhill National Championships 2024 Round Up
Yesterday, July 21st, saw many of the best Irish downhill riders head to
Bree, Co. Wexford and try to get their hands on the coveted National Champion
jersey.
Track conditions changed repeatedly across the weekend.
Friday track walks saw dry conditions, while Saturday’s practice and seeding
runs took to a very wet track. By the time race runs had come on Sunday
afternoon the track had again dried significantly, making it a challenge for
riders keeping up with the constantly changing conditions.
The track, built by Bree MTB Club, had a mixture of
everything for competitors. Fast and flowing near the top, followed by some
large features and drops, with some rocky technical terrain for good measure
made for a challenging course.
The podium for the Men’s category was filled with UCI Downhill
World Cup regulars. YT Mob’s Oisin O’Callaghan grabbed his first Senior
National Championship with a time of 1:25.89. He was followed closely by Jacob Dickson
of MS Intense Racing at 1:26.20. Christopher Cumming from Continental GT Racing
rounded out the podium, crossing the line with a time of 1:30.18. Another World
Cup regular and podium hopeful Henry Kerr saw his aspirations fade as he
crashed just a few corners from the finish.
Afterwards Oisin O’Callaghan said: “Obviously with it being
a tight course, there’s not really much room for error, as I found out
yesterday, but really happy to get it done, it feels good.”
The Women’s category saw Leah Maunsell, second last year, claim
her second Downhill National title to add to her nine Enduro National
Championships. She crossed the line at 1:56.28, followed closely by Hannah
Mullin at 1:57.18. Chloe Traynor grabbed the last spot on the podium with a
time of 2:02.03.
“It’s my fourth year in a row coming and trying to get that
title back, so absolutely over the moon to get it” said Leah Maunsell post
race. “Yesterday conditions were so changeable, but I knew today was going to
be drier, so I just picked a line and stuck with it for my race run.”
Callum Morris claimed his second National Championship win
in a row in the Junior Men. The 17-year-old flew down the course with a time of
1:30.85. Ruairí Steele grabbed second at
1:32.75 and was followed closely by Ben Fitzsimon with 1:33.18.
Speaking afterwards Callum Morris said: “Pretty buzzing with
that. It was pretty tight with Ben and Ruairí so it was good racing and just
happy to get it done. Really wet at the start of the weekend, but by race runs
it was nearly bone dry, so it was pretty good.”
The U14 Boys category saw Diarmuid O Sealbhaigh take the top
step with a time of 1:42.17. He was joined on the podium by Ross McGowan and Jamie
Harron in second and third place respectively.
Kyle Murray took the title in the U16 Boys, winning with a
time of 1:33.96. Bree MTB member Ros O’Keefe came home second at 1:35.19,
followed by Michal Michniacki in third at 1:35.91.
The M30 category Steven Smyth narrowly beat out James Macferran. Smyth’s winning time was 1:34.14 with Macferran coming in just 0.64 seconds later. Third in category was taken by Michael Lee at 1:36.52.
The M50 title was taken by Brian Steele coming in at
1:39.67. Hugh Arthur took second spot on the podium with Scott Barkley taking
third.
The Women’s Open (Non-Championship) race was won by Roisin
McGuinness of New Zealand, with Iris Ihde in second place.
The Men’s Open (Non-Championship) race saw Tommy Magnenat take to the top step of the podium. He was joined by Mikey Cullen in second and Philip Robinson in third.
A full list of times is available here.
Congratulations to all riders who took part across the weekend, and a massive thank you to Bree MTB Club for building a great track and hosting for the weekend. Thank you again to all the volunteers that made the event possible.