ZealOptics NPS Round 3 - Rostrevor

July 05

Round 3 brings us to Rostrevor Forest in County Down for another cracking event by the Plush crew.

The Track

Incorporating large sections of the descent of the XC course the track was modified sufficiently to make it perhaps the best NPS track so far. Conditions where perfect, a very dry and loose surface with loads of smooth rocks kept riders fighting for control.

Starting on the fire road, riders rolled down the bank to break the beam (or knock over the timing equipment) and head into a sport pedal towards the Bus stop. Carve up the bank and choose the short and tight line or the longer line giving a good line into a slightly off camber section bringing us to the S Bends. These caught many riders out with loads of different techniques being used to negotiate these tight, steep turns. Slow and smooth, fast and ragged, back wheel locked, feet out, anything to keep the momentum. The track then dipped and rolled along the track which was bench cut into the steep hillside with rocks, roots, alternate lines, more rocks, 180 degree bends…… and some more rocks. If you made it down the top technical half of the course a short pedal across the fire road and ditch jump for the faster riders led into the flat out section. A fast, root filled straight served as the run up for the two doubles. The first had to be given to respect as hitting it too fast meant over jumping and a nose dive into the upslope following the landing area. There was talk among some riders of trying to ‘triple’ this jump but whether or not it was possible was left to everyone’s imagination as no one took it on. The next jump was a nice step down over a ditch with a very well made alternate line using a northshore style bridge. Some really fast corners with a few subtle line choices tested the rider’s ability to maintain speed before leading into the last, ‘rooty drop’ and ‘log jump’. Only the very bravest riders hit these no brakes with both the drop and the jumping serving out some unexpected kicks. Once your wheels where back on the ground you where basically across the line with a few riders concerned about jumping over the beam and not getting a time! The course was great, big respect goes out to the course builders who modified the xc track but the real unsung hero’s are the local Rostrevor riders who have built and maintained the tracks in the forest for years.

U14

Darryl Wade continued his winning form by taking the U14s in a respectable time of 2.10.84. This was followed closely by a 2.18.95 by Conor O’Neill, taking another second place. Robert Duggan still managed to hold on to third place after an amusing start line crash on his second run, wiping out the timing system!

U16

Again the Killarney lads dominated the U16 scene, proving they’re hard as nails fall after fall. NPS newcomer Karl O’Sullivan took 1 st position. Cathal Hickey and Jason Murphy were in predictable form, taking 2 nd and 3 rd positions respectively. Series leader, Seanan O’Riordan was missed at the third round! However, this didn’t affect his overall position in the NPS tables.

Vets

A surprisingly poor turnout in the Vets category with only two riders competing saw another first place for David McManus followed by Tom Clogher in second (and last) position! Tom holds on to the NPS lead but is closely followed by David leaving everything to play for in the next few rounds!!!

Ladies

Congratulations to out lady competitors, as we believe for the first time in Irish DH NPS history have we been able to fill the podium at the prize giving! Michele took the win, followed by the return of Abigail Hogg to the racing scene. Third place went to 18 year old Aoife O’Donoghue from Dublin . Good to see the ladies out in full force. I’m sure Michele appreciated the competition and we hope to see you all out again for the next NPS in Butter Mountain and of course at the National Championships where there are plenty of vacant UCI points in the ladies category up for grabs!

Senior

The senior category appears to be a 2 horse race with Ricky Lawrence and Mark Smith battling it out for first position. Ricky took the best time with a 1.43.35 and a near identical 1.43.54 in his second run. Mark Smith looked good to challenge Ricky on his second run, but was caught out by the roots near the finish line to give spectators something to talk about! Damien Daly from Cork put in a well respectable time of 1.48.25 to take third position, helping him out in the IrishDH league tables.

Masters

It looks like Masters is one of the most closely contested categories of the season with Marty McGuigan, Mark Dickson and Joe Ward battling it out for 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd positions. Marty McGuigan and Mark Dickson finished in the same second with only 2 tenths of a second between them. Marty took the win despite a crash in his second run which left him with a time of 3.13. Joe followed with a third position time of 1.42.59 followed closely in 4 th with the return of Stevie Bell!

Junior

Dan Wolfe again proving he’s the man to beat. Dan was the 2 nd fastest rider on the day with a 1.39.26. All this talk of Euros and team selection must have put Jamie McCullough in top form as he rode an exceptional time of 1.39.47 making him third fastest rider on the day. Darren Quille’s return to downhill proved he’s also in form with a respectable time of 1.43.04 and fast on his tail was Stephen McClintock with a 1.43.80.

Elite

I think it’s true to say that the Elite category has been one to watch this year. Unpredictable, entertaining and all in good form the Elite NPS has seen 3 different winners this year with Colin Ross, Dale McMullan and now Moneyscalp 4X winner Stephen Beattie. Congratulations to Stephen for taking both the first and second fastest times of the day with a 1.38.84 and a 1.37.80. Gerard Wolfe, who crashed on his second run, had a first run time of 1.39.65 to take second position and after dusting off his cobwebs Alan Clogher put in a time of 1.40.07 to take third position. It’s worth noting here that third position was indeed the most fought after position of the day, with 4 riders on 1.40 separated by split and 2 riders on 1.41 separated by split. In the end Alan held the fastest time, followed by an injured Andy Smith, last week’s winner Dale McMullan and in 6 th position John Lawlor. 1.41 was shared by Michael Cowan, who entertained us with an exciting crash as he broke the beam and put a nasty ding in his frame, followed by local Simon Lennon on 1.41.58.

The Craic

Another fantastic race from the Plush crew. Nicola had a well deserved day off and was missed on the commentary but the atmosphere was still great. When all the racing was over, no one wanted to stop and we were treated to a Big Air demo as a few of the racers hit the big step-down near the finish area. On easily a 20 foot jump, we saw big whips by Stevie McClintock and Steven Beatie, big air by Andy Smith, Mark Smyth, and Dale McMullan, no handed variations from the Wolfe’s and a Sick no footer from Jamie McCullough.

The Show must go on.

With the first 3 races over and all a great success, the circus moves south to Butter Mountain this weekend. It was a really well organised race last year so make sure you all keep the momentum up and get there to continue what is looking like the best NPS series in Irish history. For a preview of the Butter Mountain Race and more information on it click HERE

For a full list of results click HERE

A video of the event can be downloaded from HERE

Photos courtesy of Nigel Elder - for a full selection of photos check out the Gallery