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Last Updated: 8 Aug 2023 - 3:26:18 PM |
Callaghan and Flanagan Crowned 2023 Downhill National Champions
By Gavin Quinn, Communications Officer, Cycling ireland
24 Jul 2023,
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Greg Callaghan and Meghan Flanagan were crowned national champions on Sunday, July 23rd at Glencullen Adventure Park.
Hosted by GAP MTB, wet conditions greeted the riders on Sunday making the course that offered a mixture of technical track and large bike-park jumps even more challenging.
As the rain bucketed down on Glencullen Adventure Park, riders used their practice time to fine tune their lines and come to terms with the slippery conditions ahead of their race runs.
With 2022 Downhill National Champion Ronan Dunne opting not to race due to an injury, meant a new senior men’s champion would be crowned.
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| Greg Callaghan Downhill National Champion |
Experienced Enduro rider, Greg Callaghan pulled out all the stops and claimed the senior men’s National title with a time of 2:00.47. Oisin O’Callaghan who produced the quickest time in seeding on Saturday was second quickest on race day clocking 2:01.62, while 2021 National Champion Jacob Dickson who has been out of action the last number of months due to injury rounded off the podium in 2:04.47.
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| Meghan Flanagan Downhill National Champion |
Meghan Flanagan was quickest in the women’s category to retain the National title she won in Bree, Co. Wexford last year with a time of 2:40.98. Her nearest rival was Leah Maunsell with a time of 2:42.43, Shenna McKiverigan came home third in a time of 2:52.40. Hannah Mullin who set the quickest time on Saturday had a crash early on in her race run, knocking her chances of a podium finish.
Callum Morris took a fine victory in the Junior men’s category. The first-year junior finished in 2:19.34 with his clubmate Robin Sim finishing in second place with 2:22.84 less than half a second quicker than Oscar Durston 2:23.38.
In the U16 category, Ruairí Steele took an impressive win while Michal Michniacki set the best time in the U14 category.
In the masters categories, Chris Murphy won the M30 category, Ian Coates picked up the M40 win while the M50 category winner was Hugh Arthur.
Brendan Conroy won the open men’s category and Hannah Harvey won the open women’s category.
Attention now switches to the second round of the Downhill National Series which takes place on 5th/6th August on Shronaboy Farm in Killarney, Co. Kerry, hosted by Tralee Bay MTB. Entries are open now.
Images courtesy: Atom Creates
Full results can be found link at bottom of page.
2023 Downhill National Championships Preview
It's Downhill National Championships week as the best downhill riders descend on Dublin's Glencullen Adventure Park to see who will be crowned national champion.
Hosted by GAP MTB, the 2023 Downhill National Championships take place on Saturday, July 22nd, and Sunday, July 23rd.
Practice and seeding runs on Saturday will set the tone for Sunday's National Championships race runs along what's set to be a challenging course for riders.
National Championship races will take place in the following categories: Senior men, Women, Junior men, M30 men, M40 men, M50 men as well as U14 and U16 boys and girls.
One of the best disciplines of cycling for spectators, the high-octane world of downhill racing makes for great viewing from the side of the course. Some of the top names in Irish Downhill racing were in action in May in the first round of the Downhill National Series (Irish Downhill Mountainbike Series) at Carrick Mountain.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2023 Downhill National Championships:
Location
Glencullen Adventure Park, Ballybrack Rd, Glencullen, Dublin, D18 Y673
The GAP is located on the Dublin/Wicklow mountain border and just 20 minutes from Dublin city centre by car or taxi.
Schedule
Friday, July 21st
16:00 - 18:00 SIGN ON
17:00 ONWARDS TRACK WALK
Saturday, July 22nd
08:30 - 10:30 SIGN ON
09:30 - 13:00 PRACTICE
13:00 - 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 - 16:00 SEEDING RUNS
16:00 - 17:00 EL CLASSIC CUP
Sunday, July 23rd
09:30 - 13:00 PRACTICE
13:00 - 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 - 16:00 RACE RUNS
17:00 - 18:00 PODIUMS
The current schedule is provisional and subject to change.
Quotes Corner
GAP MTB said:
"We are in the final stages of completing our checklist here at GAP MTB in preparation for the Downhill National Championships next week. On Monday, we will have the track preview with Dan Wolfe, and he will return on Wednesday, July 19th, to provide coaching for the U14's and U16's. Gavin Carroll will be providing additional coaching on the 20th, and we've scheduled more track walks on Friday."
"Our primary focus is to ensure that the underage riders are well-prepared for the big day. The weekend will have a chilled festival atmosphere, with a jam-packed race village supported by our main race sponsors JHI/Cyclon/BBB/High Five. We also have a relaxation retreat provided by Tigh'n Alluis with saunas and hot tubs for racers to recoup after the day's practice and seeding on Saturday. We are really looking forward to the event and excited to see who will be crowned the Champion!"
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Full Results
Full results can be found link here...
[ External Website / link click here ]
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