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IRISH XC NPS Round 5 - Slade Valley, Dublin
5 Cuchulainn’s travelled to Slade Valley, Dublin on Sunday 9th June to compete in round 5 of the Irish XC NPS Series. The weather being what it was for the past week or so was only going to ensure that the course was dry and dusty, that it was. The course comprised of long rooty forest sections, fire roads, single track, kicker climbs, drops and rapid descents, a good mix of everything.
First to race were Terry McEneaney and David Deegan, both newcomers to the NPS circuit and racing in the Senior 4 category. Each race was to start with a single loop off the main course to spread out the riders before entering the first section of single track. Terry came out of the forested single track section into the start/finish area in 3rd place, however his wheel washed away on loose soil and he emerged from the rear of the start/finish starting his first lap proper in 4th place, almost managing to maintain his position until the finish but was beaten into 5th place near the end of his 2nd lap. David had a great race and found that while the pressure was on his back wheel that split second decisions were made and obstacles not normally ridden over; were. Both the Terry and David thoroughly enjoyed their first NPS race, which was slightly longer than a standard S4 race at 14km instead of 10km.
The remaining 3 Cuchulainn riders, Shane Garvey, Fergus McCann and Michael Wilson all in Senior 3 race were to complete 3 laps of the course, temperatures had dropped slightly from the midday temps but the 20k distance was more in keeping with an S2 race distance, so the 3 riders had to leave something in the tank for the final lap. The racing from the offset was “eyeballs out” to the first kicker of a climb leading to single track, where rider traffic impeded progress allowing the lead riders to open up their lead. All 3 Cuchulainn riders made progress through the field in the technical and demanding course, all 3 finishing strong and all with a smile on their faces.
The IMBRC Club hosted an excellent NPS, the marshal’s were top notch, giving encouragement to every rider and the course was up there with the best. Well done to all the Cuchulainn riders flying the flag in Slade Valley and those also on the Wicklow 100/200
