More exciting racing at Day 2 of the National Cyclo-cross Championships

Sunday 12 January was day 2 of the 2025 Irish National Cyclo-cross Championships and we were back in Fair Green, Ballinasloe, County Galway. There had been an expected freezing fog overnight but that hadn’t happened. We woke to mild temperatures and arrived on site to see a red sky as the sun started to creep up behind Chapel Hill. The course was still in good condition after yesterday’s racing. There was a little more wind in the morning which kept the temperatures down.

The first race of the day was for the Masters M40s. Thirty-three riders lined up for 5 laps of the course. Leading from the start was Ronan O’Flynn (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club). Marcus Flavin (Dungarvan CC) and last year’s champion Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles Cycling Club) were never far behind. As the laps continued Ronan was still out in front, Glenn was never far away but Marcus had dropped back. When the last lap bell went it seemed to spur on Glenn who managed to get in front of Ronan. Ronan stuck to Glenn’s wheel. They were still together along the final muddy section of the course before the finish straight. The excitement was building. Race commentator Paul Joyce was building up the tension. All eyes were on the final straight. Glenn started the sprint first and held it to the line to take his third M40 title in a row. Ronan rolled over the line just behind him. A terrific finish to the M40s race. Behind the front two appeared Marcus Flavin (Dungarvan CC) out on his own in third place. Fourth was Evan Ryan (Team WORC), fifth was Kevin Keane (St Tiernans Cycling Club), sixth was Ronan Killeen (Lucan Cycling Road Club), seventh was Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) with Frank McDermott (Oldcastle CC) finishing an impressive 8th place after dropping his chain on the first corner of lap 1, putting him to the back of the bunch.

When everything had calmed down, race practice got underway for the Junior men. They then lined up for their 4 lap race. Last year’s national champion Conor Murphy (Team Caldwell Cycles) dropped into third place on the first lap after a few mistakes. He then composed himself and got to the front of the bunch with Curtis McKee (Spellman-Dublin Port) and Ryan Daly (Scott Racing IRL) close behind him. By lap 2 Conor had started to pull away from Curtis and Ryan. Conor increased that gap and took the chequered flag comfortably. Behind Conor was the battle for second place. Ryan had been just behind Curtis for laps 2 and 3 but a sustained effort by Curtis provided the gap to Ryan who finished third. James Armstrong (VC Glendale) was out on his own in fourth place with Hugh Og Mulhearne (ASVILLEMUR CYCLISME) fifth.

The Women’s race had two starting whistles. On the first whistle the Junior and Senior combined race started, one minute later the Masters women began their 4 lap race. In the Junior/Senior race there was the expected battle between Junior rider Greta Lawless (Team WORC) and Under 23 rider Esther Wong (Hess Cycling Team). Esther did get to the front of the race by the end of lap one and Greta was right on her back wheel. These two remained together for the first two laps. On lap 3 Esther started to pull away from Greta. Esther went on to take her first Irish national champion win. Greta was second. Behind these two had been sitting ex-national champion Maria Larkin (Cuttin Crew/Donkey Label). It was expected that Maria would finish second but Under 23 rider Hannah McClorey (Doltcini – Cycle Division) made a final lap push to get to the back wheel of Maria and then, on the muddy section before the end Hannah passed Maria to take third place. Maria had to settle for fourth. Roisin Lally (Loughborough Lightning) was fifth with Doireann Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) sixth. There was a prize for the first unplaced Junior woman which went to Aoife O’Donovan (Dungarvan CC).

In the Master’s Women race Jean Wilson (EPIC MTB Expert Cycles) continued her winning form this season by taking the championship jersey. Aishling O’Connor (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) was second with Helen White (Stamullen RC) third and Hazel Murphy (Yellow Furze Road Club) fourth.

The final race of the day was the 7 lap Senior men’s race. Last year’s national champion Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) was back to defend his title and he didn’t take long to hit the front. Dean had 20 seconds on the rest of the field at the end of lap 1. Dean went on to take the win finishing over two and a half minutes ahead of the rest of the field. The 2018 champion Darnell Moore (Team Caldwell Cycles) was his nearest rival and was out on his own in second place. Travis Harkness (Lyon Sprint Evolution) had been in third for the majority of the race but had a scare on the final lap when Tadhg Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) caught up and passed him. Travis regained his position ahead of Tadhg and it all came down to a sprint finish on the final straight. Travis came onto the straight first with Tadhg on his back wheel. Travis was up out of the saddle and managed to hold off Tadhg to take third place. Tadhg was fourth with Richard Barry (St. Finbarrs CC) fifth, David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port) sixth, Timothy O’Regan (All human/VeloRevolution Racing Team) seventh and Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) eighth. There was a prize for the first unplaced Under 23 rider which Tadhg received.

A superb National Championships. A huge thanks to Ronan Lally and all the crew from Ballinasloe Cycling Club.

Thanks to Galway County Council, the Civil Defense unit, Duggan Park GAA club and to the warm welcome by the people of Ballinasloe. Thanks to Ballinasloe Credit Union and all the sponsors for their support. This concludes the 2024/2025 Cyclo-cross season in Ireland. We look forward to more exciting racing next season.

Commissaires: Gary McIlroy, Loch Miwa, Ray Staunton, Jim Adams and Martin Grimley

Results here

Report by Martin Grimley

Photos
Toby Watson (Facebook) – here
Sean Rowe (Facebook) – here
Dany Blondeel (Facebook) – here

Videos and photos
Keith Colville (Facebook) – here