Irish Downhill NPS 2007 Calendar Announced

December 2006

Following a meeting of the Irish Downhill Mountainbike Committee, and further consultation with the various organisers the following dates have been set for the 2007 Irish Downhill National Points Series.

A lot of work has been carried out by the domestic racing committee in order to make sure the dates are spread evenly throughout the summer and into early autumn. Efforts where also made to ensure an even spread around the country throughout the year, as well as to avoid any clashes with XC races, British NPS races, Scottish NPS races, World & Euro champs as well as other important races..

The committee has also taken on board concerns from race organisers about the growing numbers entering the senior category therefore there will be a new 'sport' category for 2007. 2007 will also see the elimination of the Supervets category.

The following is a summary of the race categories for 2007 and will hopefully give riders an indication of which category they should be competing in.

U14 - Youth - 13 or 14 years of age in current year

U16 - 15 or 16 years of age in current year

Junior - 17 or 18 years of age in current year

Vets - Any riders over 40

Ladies - All female riders

Master - 30 years of age or over in current year

Sport - (over 18) Riders who are new to racing, who don't race regularly or who don't intend to race in every event. - Those riders who are just in it for the fun.

Senior - (over 18) Riders who are very serious about the event, are of a high standard and are able to do all the jumps, drops and put in fast times.

Elite - (over 18) Professional riders or extremely fast amateurs, that is, riders of a World Cup standard and who have ambitions of riding at this level.

For the 2007 race calendar, each race will also be a two day event with medical cover and uplift (where possible) on both days.

Here's a summery of the 2007 Irish NPS:

Round 1 will bring us back to the 2005 & 2006 venue of Lumpers Forest In Ravensdale on 7/8 April 2006. This race will be the second race of Irish team, TC Racing, headed by Tom Clogher and co. The course has yet to be confirmed, however, we will have more details closer to the time.

Round 2 brings us back to the South of the country, to the 021 racing guys who will host this round on 5/6th May. As has been confirmed in recent times, the Mallow course is unusable, however, the new venue will be announced closer to the time and the 021 racing promises the race to be as good as any held in Mallow!

Round 3 heads North where ChainReactionCycles.com team (formerly Plush) will host the third round in a venue yet to be disclosed on 2/3rd June. It's hoped to bring back a blast from the past, but some more negotiations with locals and forestry will see this venue being announced early in the new year.

Round 4 brings us to Bree, the home of the final NPS in 2006, and home to Shane Murphy and crew who plan to hold another successful race in 2007. This is due to be held on 23/24th June.

Round 5 sees Kilarney Cycling Club commit to holding their first ever race in Killarney. The date is set for 30thJune/1st July and the guys hope to see a big turnout for their first event.

The National Champs is on the 14/15th July as to avoid a clash with the XC champs, (so those fit enough/Skillfull enough can do both) and will be organised by ChainreactionCycles.com in the home of the 2006 Nationals, Rostrevor Forest.

Round 6will be hosted by Epic Downhill holding a race on 4/5th August. The provisional venue is Cloon, but word has it that Epic may be working on a new venue, watch this space - and with Epic running the show, you can be sure it will be a good event.

Following the Epic race, the final round of the 2007 NPS will be held by the ChainReactionCycles.com crew in a venue to be confirmed on 22/23rd September. This will enable an early end to the season, and it's also hoped the timing girls will be there with up-to-date tables in order to complete the league tables and hold an end of season presentation

A full copy of the race calendar is available in the race info section of the website.