Irish National Cyclocross Championships 2012

The dust has settled after one of the driest Irish cyclocross seasons in the past few years. Fast racing in the Supercross Cup saw new venues, variations of old venues and a surge in the number of riders including bringing cyclocross to the masses with the addition of the B category race. The Ulster Cyclocross League brought a different set of challenges to riders with plenty of racing to be had across numerous venues.

After the success of the fourth round of the Supercross Cup in St. Anne’s Park, Raheny, Supercross Racing are proud to announce a return to this venue for the National Championships in January. With this venue proving to be a spectacular venue for both riders and spectators we are aiming to get even closer to the Superprestige and GvA feeling with barriers, frites and anything else we can find.

Almost perfect conditions earlier in the year allowed for a fast but technical course to be used. This years National Championships will take in the best sectors from all 3 previous Supercross Courses in the park and introduce some new areas after feedback from riders and park management that will make this course better than ever.

The date for the 2012 National Championships has been set as Saturday the 7th of January. This is due access availability of the park.

Following the Supercross Cup series format of 2011 there will be two races on the day with the National cyclocross champion title race for Senior Men and Ladies* and the (Category 2) non-national title race. Senior Championship Gridding will be based on UCI points and subsequent places allocated based on Supercross Cup and Ulster Cyclocross League results.

*as per UCI rules, to qualify as a national title there will have to be a minimum number ladies racing on the day.

Remember there will be a non-championship race on the day as well, so if you don’t think you can mix it with the big boys, you can still come out and race each other and support them. There is no gridding for the non-championship (category 2) event, so be sure to arrive nice and early to claim the primo grid positions.

More information on www.irishcx.com over the following days. Stay off the cake and beer over the festive feasting period. This is going to be a fast course.

Directions to the course are below. It’s only 20 minutes from the M1/M50 intersection via the N32 (60kph speed limit, you have been warned!) and Baldoyle. If cycling from the city centre follow the cycle path to Howth until you see the signs into the park. If you get to Howth…you’ve gone to far.

1. City Centre from Bus Aras

• Follow R105 heading towards Five Lamps/Clontarf.
• At Clontarf take the Clontarf Road ; signed for Howth.
• Keep the sea on your right.
• Pass the wooden bridge to Bull Island.
• Take the signed left had junction after ~ 500m onto Mt Prospect Ave.
• Right hand turn into St. Annes after 100m.

2.M50/M1

• Follow the signs for the N32/Howth/Malahide.
• Straight through roundabout, junction, 2 roundabouts and a junction.
• You’re in Baldoyle, pass a Lidl, follow Willy Nolan road straight over speed bumps.
• Right hand turn at a cross roads beside a school (if its a T junction go back, you’ve gone a junction to far)
• Right hand turn at the seafront, keeping sea on your left.
• After 1km you’ll see the course on your right.
• Take the next right up Mt. Prospect Ave.
• Right turn after 100m into St. Annes.

Photos courtesy of Richie Byrne.