ZealOptics Irish Downhill NPS 2005

- 'The Most Successful in Years'

November 05

The 2005 season started off in the most Northerly part of the country for the Plush Winter league in Ballycarton. News of tree felling meant that Moneyscalp Forest was out of action, and in an effort to make sure the winter league went ahead, the guys from Plush pulled out all the stops to make sure the infamous Winter League went ahead. This effort carried on throughout the year with the organisation of all the ZealOptics Irish NPS rounds....

Round One - Moneyscalp

Round one saw the opening Round of the Irish NPS start off in Moneyscalp. A 4X was held on the Saturday and following this, riders followed the Plush crew up the hill to see which course was to be used for the first round of the ZealOptics sponsored NPS.

An amazing 107 riders signed on for entry on Sunday morning, and with those riders came a strong following of spectators, representatives fron ZealOptics, as well as new photographers to the downhill scene, Nigel Elder and Stevie Millgate of Reac Photography. The success of the Irish downhill scene this year can be attributed somewhat to these guys as they have kept riders searching for their best riding positions all year.

A packed elites field saw Colin Ross take the win, followed closely by Andy Yoong with Ben Reid completing the podium.

See HERE for a full round-up of NPS1 Moneyscalp.

Round Two - Lumpers

Round 2 of the ZealOptics Irish NPS brought the Plush organisers to Lumpers Wood in Ravensdale Co Louth to tackle the rocky, rooty, action packed track. Another great entry of over 100 riders put their bikes and bodies on the line to get the fastest time down the difficult track.

Fastest time of the day saw Dale McMullan come down Lumpers with a 1.39.18. who managed to get a taste of some birthday cake from second placed John Lawlor who came down in a time of 1.39.21.

The day finished off in Lumpers pup with the craic getting better as the pints were pulled.....

See HERE for a full round-up of NPS 2 Lumpers

Round Three - Rostrevor

Round 3 saw riders from near and far follow the Plush crew to Rostrevor Forest for an unusual Saturday race in which the track incorporated 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 were perfect, a very dry and loose surface with loads of smooth rocks kept riders fighting for control.

This round also saw history in the making as for the first time in Irish downhill history was there was full ladies podium comprising of Michele Macartney, Aoife O'Donoghue and Abagail Hogg. Congratulations girls! Stephen Beattie took his first win in elite category with an impresssive ride down Kilbroney Forest, but none so impressive was the dirt jam that followed.

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 end of the Rostrevor race meant the end of the Plush reign for the Irish NPS series, it was time to head to Butter Mountain.....

See HERE for a full round-up of NPS 3 Rostrevor.

Round Four - Butter Mountain

Butter Mountain is one of those tracks - you either love it or hate it, but riders seemed to enjoy it this time. The sun shone and the riders turned up in large numbers to compete in the annual 4X and downhill event which is hoped to continue for the 2006 season.

Stephen Beattie took his second win of the season, making him the 'one to watch' and eventual winner of the ZealOptics Irish NPS league. Top five riders were disappointed as they had been informed on the day of the race possibly having an E3 status, however, further investigation showed this to be incorrect, and in the end, top five riders went home simply happy to have finished top 5.

See HERE for a full round-up of NPS 4 Butter Mountain.

Round Five - Mallow

Round Five brought the ZealOptics Irish NPS to Mallow, Co Cork, the same course where the previous week the Irish National Downhill chamships were held.

This gave no advantage to riders who had competed the week before, as the rain came down, fast and furious to make it a completely different course. Argusable one of the best tracks in the country, riders went to one of the most southerly points on the calendar and in turn got fast uplift, good organization, trophies for the winners and great craic.

Andy Smith picked up his first ever Elite win ever! Joining other 'virgin' winners of the season icnluding Dale McMullan and Stephen Beattie. Congratulations lads!

See HERE for a full round-up of NPS 5 Mallow.

Round Six - Waterford

The long awaited final round of the Zealoptics Irish NPS (Round 5) took place on Sunday 9th October in White Horse Forest, Co Waterford. Home forest of Tom Power, the track attracted almost 100 riders to battle it out for final positions in the Irish Downhill NPS.

A wet start to Saturday morning saw most riders finding it difficult to even walk the course, and force them to opt for the mud tyres, although a blustery Sunday morning saw riders quickly change tyres as the track dried up at an amazing pace.

Dan Wolfe took the fastest time of the day in the junior category, beating his big brother Gerard in the elite category (whom I also beleive it may his been his first ever elite win).

An excellent race organised by the Waterford crew, with excellent organisation, great uplifts, a great track and plenty of wind to keep the riders going faster!

See HERE for a full round-up of NPS 6 Waterford.

Waterford saw the conclusion of the ZealOptics Irish NPS league, one of the most successful leagues to date.

The final results of the NPS league tables can be found HERE however, these results include both licence and non-licence holders. Cycling Ireland have examied these tables and have confirmed the top three positions in each category are as follows:

U14

1st - Darryl Wade
2nd - Conor O'Neill
3rd - Robert Duggan

U16

1st - Seanan O'Riordan
2nd - Jason Murphy
3rd - Cathal Hickey

Vets

1st - David McManus
2nd - Tom Clogher
3rd - Derek Cowan

Ladies

1st - Michele Macartney
2nd - Aoife O'Donoghue

Senior

1st - Ricky Lawrence
2nd - Damien Daly
3rd - Joe O'Neill
Three non-licence holders missing out on medal positions.

Masters

1st - Marty McGuigan
2nd - Mark Dickson
3rd - Brian Good

Junior

1st - Dan Wolfe
2nd - Stephen McClintock
3rd - Paul Cummins

Elite

1st - Stephen Beattie
2nd - Dale McMullan
3rd - Tom Power


Full reports, results and pictures were provided by IrishDH for all events.  
Details of all these can be found at.