The town of Kranjska Gora is situated just over the border from both Italy and Austria in what can only be described as picture card perfection. A lot of big european events tend to take place in winter ski resorts and you often find that the locations are relatively dead as far as entertainment and facilities are concerned. Not KG! There is no doubt that this town made the effort and by Thursday morning the town was buzzing with ezee ups going up everywhere and DHrs and their inevitable code of dress seen in all the local hooches.


Ben Reid

The course finish came virtually right into the town itself and you could sit with a nice cool drink in one of the bars and virtually reach out and touch the riders as they passed along the home straight. The atmosphere just kept getting better towards the race days and the town came really alive on Saturday for both the “timed runs” for the Elites/Juniors and of course the Masters! For the European and World Championships there is no longer a seeding run. Riders will ride according to their “world ranking” with the former seeding run now called a “timed practice run”. The rationale is that riders have allegedly been on occasion underperforming to get earlier start times when there is a likelihood of poor weather conditions. Whether this will be introduced for the World Cups is another thing but that is where this type of strategy is more common.

The “timed runs” for the Junior/Elites was the prelude to what was a great day for the Irish Masters. Irish Juniors, David Graham and debutant Greg Callaghan both had great timed runs in what was a very strong Junior entry with David claiming 10th and Greg 20th.

Davey Graham

In the Elites Ben Reid led the way for the Irish team on a 12th place with Dan Wolfe in 25th, Ewan Doherty in 58th, Ger Wolfe 63rd and Scot Laughland in 108th.

Dan Wolfe

When you look at the initial Elite rankings the boys did good. What followed is now consigned to Irish DH folklore with Maeve Baxter and Michael Cowan taking Gold and Silver respectively in their cats. The other Masters can also be proud of their rides – Sean Herily, Ian McIntyre, Joe Ward, Colin Finlay, Dammo Duggan, Tom Sheridan, Darren Cox.

Mac Attack

Tom Sheridan & Darren Cox

Joe Ward

The Happy Fairy

Damo Duggan

Colin Finley

Maeve the Brave

 

Michael Cowan is congratulated by Cycling Ireland President Miceal Concannon

Maeve Baxter on her podium accompanied by Miceal Concannon, Cycling Ireland President

The Juniors and Elites took centre stage on Sunday and whilst the spectator crowds were bigger the atmosphere seemed more subdued. Maybe that was because Irelands head cheerleader and European Champion Maeve B was a little under the weather? Both Greg and Davey got us on our feet and back into raucus cheering mode and they looked as fast as anyone on the very physical open section that led to the finish. Davey took a great 14th place with Greg less than a second behind in 16th. Both had improved on their timed runs – 6 and 10 seconds respectively.

 

Ewan was the first Irish rider down in the Elites and he too improved by 10 seconds on his timed run to take 42nd place. Scot’s timed run had been a bit of a nightmare for him and whilst he didn’t have a completely clean race run he still managed a credible 58th.

Ewan Doherty

Next up was Ger who again didn’t fare well in the timed run but he made up for it in his race run improving by 15 seconds and 29th place which made him the fastest Irish rider on the day. Dan had a storming timed run but just couldn’t manage to keep it completely together in his race run to finish on 4.08.03 which was 5 seconds slower and good enough for 63rd. Ben’s run was one of those days he’d rather forget with an early puncture putting paid to his chances of a good placing. The obvious well deserved delight on the faces of the Juniors was tempered with the disappointment on the faces of a few of the Elites but that’s racing. It is however safe to say that every rider gave his all and they can all be proud ……and we can be proud of them.

Gerard Wolfe

Event conclusion

  • The Saturday was the highlight both from a results perspective and buzz factor. The racing on Sunday was over by about 3.30pm and the race village had virtually disappeared an hour later. Whilst there was a party atmosphere on Saturday evening the Sunday evening was subdued by comparison. Having both the Masters and Junior/Elites races on the same day would help keep the atmosphere momentum going.
Kranska Gora

  • Timed runs v seeding runs – there is a rationale but it will not always work.

  • The course itself was great but the TV coverage did not do it justice. The top of the course was deadly but wasn’t covered by TV. It was pedally in some sections but rarely flat and every Irish rider had the pedal to the metal. Ask the riders what they thought of the course and sod what you saw on TV.

  • The riders were magnificent…as were the supporters who gave the impression that we were in Ireland and not Slovenia with their non stop support of the riders both in the race and even in the opening parade. It brought a smile to your face and you could feel the hairs standing on the back of your neck.

  • The back up crew – the riders deservedly take the plaudits but they need the back up and this was provided by European Team Manager Rory O’Keefe, Team Mechanic James OC and the “gofor” and real boss of the show Natalie OC. All 3 were a rock for the riders with very early morning starts and some late evenings making sure the bikes were in tip top condition and that the boys were well fed, watered and rested as well as ensuring they were always kept informed of where they should be. Irish DH Manager Joe Ward was there to offer support when required and deserves thanks for putting it all together along with the Rory, James and Nat.

  • Cycling Ireland President, Michael Concannon was there to witness the superb Irish results and commitment and hopefully this commitment will have rubbed off on him. Michael and his wife were not averse to mixing with the Irish riders and spectators and it was refreshing to see someone from the echelons of Cycling Ireland in such close proximity to Irish DH mixing freely and offering advice and some hope. His presence was welcome and appreciated by all there.

  • The performances – taking out the Masters – some riders will be more pleased than others and it was obvious that there was disappointment particularly amongst some of the Elites. There was however no throwing the toys out of the prams amongst the Irish riders. The Team (riders and support) was a well bonded unit who supported each other well and this was evident when you saw them all together on Sunday evening …..at last able to let their hair down. Irish DH does not have the finance and support available that other countries have or indeed some of the other cycling disciplines within Ireland. What it does however have is commitment and passion. The raw skill and talent is there. It needs to be nurtured, supported and developed and hopefully the discussions and sometimes tipsy acknowledgements made during this Championship will lead to more opportunities for Irish DH riders.
Rory O'Keefe (team manager), Davy Graham & Greg Callaghan
East Belfast Flute Band
The opening ceremony


Add this page to your facebook
| More...