For almost two years now, Irish NPS races have been the luckiest races when it comes to weather, however, we all knew some day the luck was going to run out, little did we predict it would be for every Irish race of the 2007 season.
The weekend started well, with campers arriving at the Bree field from the Friday night to get ready for the practice day on Saturday. The weather looked like it was going to hold up, with plenty of discussion as to which tyres were to be used for practice, the course seemed like it was drying up throughout the day.
However, half way through the first race runs on Saturday morning, mother nature struck and the rain came pouring, with no-where to hide!
Despite the downpours during the first race run, the atmosphere at the event was spectacular, with plenty of crowds gathering on both days, and the craic in the car park on the Saturday evening electric.
Almost 130 riders turned up for the Wexford event, a large turnout considering half of the Irish contingent is gracing the slopes of Morzine and Les Gets. Fastest time of the day went to Junior rider, Ewan Doherty who took the fastest time by over a second over Irish legend Glyn O'Brien. Here's how the riders fared:
U14
An unfortunately low turnout for the U14 category, however, Gavin Carroll continued his winning form with his fourth consecutive win in the 2007 season. Gavin registered a second run time of 1.59.679 to take the win over Epic team mate Dan Sheridan. Dan's best result of the year came with his second run as he registered a time of 2.21.386, seven seconds ahead of third placed Michael Rea who had a better first run with a time of 2.38.637. Paul Smyth had a second run time of 2.59.575 to take fourth place, while Craig Rea had a similar time in both runs to finish the category and take fifth place.
U16
Davy Graham got his third win of the year by over five seconds with a second run time of 1.57.519. Paul McGrady, registering his best result of the 2007 season, took second place with a similar time in both runs, in the 1.52 second, with Conor O'Neill following to take third. Conor clocked a first run time of 1.55.683 ahead of Epic's Eoin O'Siochru. Eoin completed his first run in a time of 1.57.889 to secure fourth place ahead of Gavin Kelly who also had a better first run with a time of 1.59.930.
Women
Maeve Baxter took the win again in round four! Unfortunately Maeve was the only lady rider who turned out for the event, however, her time placed her 107th overall, giving plenty of the male riders something to worry about - especially John!
Vets
Six vets battled it out for top spot in the vets category. Having already placed, fourth, third and second, Carl Young took his first win of the Irish NPS with a first run time of 2.02.637. CRC's Michael White also took his best time of the year having already gained a fourth and third place, Michael placed in second place with a time of 2.07.111 ahead of Bree racing's Dave McManus. Dave, involved in the organizing of the event, took some time out to race to take third place with a second run time of 2.09.820. Stephen Graham turned out for the second time this year to take fourth place, while Tom Clogher and Tom Sheridan finished off the category in 5th and 6th place respectively.
Sport
Four Irish NPS races and four different winners in the sports category! Bree's turn was Gary Wall. This was Gary's first race of the 2007 NPS. Gary completed a first run time of 1.51.056 to take first place ahead of Barry Hamilton. This was also Barry's first race of the 2007 NPS. Gary completed his first run in a time of 1.56.245 ahead of Enda Munnelly who pulled out all the stops in his second run but could only manage third place with a time of 1.57.627. Kenneth Murphy completed his fourth race of the year to register a second run time of 2.04.519 while Colin O'Leary only completed his first run to take fifth place with a time of 2.05.454.
Senior
Paul Cummins took the win in the senior category, after being out of racing since the end of the 2006 season. Paul, who was formerly a top junior rider, registered a second run time of 1.41.833 to take the win. Good to see Paul back in top form. Ben Mullen registered a second run time of 1.47.165 to take second place, ahead of James McFerran. James, who is from an MX background, was winning after his first run, however, only managed to hold on to third place with a time of 1.48.572. Epic's Brian Cooney took fourth place with a time of 1.49.865 while team mater Alastair Maxwell registered a second run time of 1.50.734 to take fifth place.
Master
It was a 1-2-3- for Chain Reaction as Michael Cowan took his fourth consecutive win of the Irish NPS with a second run time of 1.45.358, a second ahead of Joe Ward. Joe managed a second run time of 1.46.800 to take second place, ahead of Ian McIntyre who after a crash on Saturday, pulled out all the stops to race on Sunday and register a time of 1.50.140. Brian Good registered a second run time of 1.53.624 ahead of Epic's Bruce Murphy who also completed a better second run with a time of 1.54.871
Junior
Ewan Doherty managed to register the fastest time of the day with a second run time of 1.39.157, also taking his third win of the Irish NPS. Seanan O'Riordan competed his second run time to take second place with a time of 1.42.717. Killarney's Jason Murphy completed a first run time of 1.47.498 to take third place, ahead of Killarney team mate Cathal Hickey who completed his second run with a rime of 1.53.473. Cathal only managed to take a win by less than a hundred of a second ahead of Josh Murray who registered a second run time of 1.53.479.
Elite
Kona's Glyn O'Brien took his second win of the year with a second run time of 1.40.749. Stephen Beattie and Darren Quille battled it out for second place in the elites, with Stephen coming out on top with a time of 1.41.456, ahead of Darren's second run time of 1.41.862. Tom Power managed to hold on to fourth place with a second run time of 1.42.032 while Wallace Irwin managed his best result of the year with a second run time of 1.44.210 to take fifth place.
The craic
It's good to see riders from other 'cycling' disciplines taking part in the races. new to DH in the Bree race was James McFerran and Sean Donnelly. Co Down lads, the guys who are from a MX and mini moto background took part in the events and can go home holding their heads up high. I have a feeling we might see them back at a few more events.
Also new to the event, or at least in the past 6 six years was Tony Brennan, aka, Spanky. Spanky, who is from a road racing background, took part in the sports category and seemed to love every minute of it. Hopefully he's bring a few more of his roadie mates and show them how its done next time.
Saturday evening the weather held off for a couple of the campers to start a slalom race in the car park field. A few tool boxes and deck chairs were the victims of the bikers, however, the competitive streak came out in all riders, with one on one races having to be reheld and reheld until riders were content they had proven their ability! Ones to watch out were Stevo Beattie and James McFerran, as well as Ewan and Andrew. the prize for the best winners however goes to Norman McKee for winning his race!
When the slamon was completed, some of the younger riders took part in bunny hopping competitions along the road, while the Cork lads brought out the hurling bats and showed spectators how it 'supposed to look like. An impressive amount of skill and relief the field was as big as it was with not too many houses around!
Finally, Happy birthday to Gareth Pritchard (aka Sponge) who celebrated his birthday on Saturday during practice day.
The next round takes place in Killarney - this weekend- Saturday 31st and Sunday 1st July! See you all there.
Pics courtesy of George Doherty
