2017 Irish National Cross-country Mountain Bike Championships

The XC National Champs race was held over the weekend on the familiar yet challenging trails of Djouce forest. Winners of the overall National Point series were also presented with their awards. MAD members, Niamh McGreen took the overall 1st for S2 Women in the series and Ruth Doorley took 3rd place in the XC Champs race on Sunday.

The Djouce course included plenty of rooty, off-camber technical terrain with lung busting climbs and thrilling descents. The Womens race was spared the Double-Trouble section that consists of two steep climbs and a drop on loose dirt.

MAD racers Rob Roest Whittle and Thomas Gallery got great results in the M30 category but it was the MAD ladies who gave the best turn out with 4 racers in the 16 women lining up the field. Last year’s champ Ciara McManus(Summit Mountain Biking) powered into the lead with a very comfortable win. MAD racers Niamh McGreen, Ruth Doorley and Leah McCarthy battled it out for the next top positions. Niamh held on to second place for the first 2 laps, but Anne Duffy(Cuchulainn CC) and then Ruth overtook on the third and final lap. After a sprint finish, Ruth ended up in 3rd just 3 seconds after Anne Duffy in 2nd, Niamh in 4th and Leah in 5th.

Thanks to the efforts of host club EPIC MTB and the many volunteers. It was a fantastic event with a great atmosphere to be enjoyed in the sunshine overlooking Powerscourt waterfall.

If anyone has any more photos, please stick a link in the comments below. Thank you.

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