2014 Irish BMX National Series – Round 2
2014 Irish BMX National Series – Round 2
Round 2 of the Irish National BMX Series took place at the Ratoath BMX Club’s track. The newly re-furbished track was lightening quick during the week preceding the event but unfortunately on the day the weather was not playing ball, wet and windy, very windy, but still 87 brave riders got on the gate to rip it up. After a biblical downpour the skies did turn blue for the majority of the racing. Ratoath’s spiritual leader, Mr. McNally must have his own personal sun god stashed away somewhere …
The U6 Boys was won by Callum Dunleavy by a single point in a tight contest with Alex Waller and Evan Fynes with Luke Murphy also going well. Callum, the leader in best dressed competition too, sporting a fine onesie on the podium. If only we could get green Cycling Ireland versions in time I’d send the team off to Holland in them.
Corey Waller, in the 7-8 Boys took the win again from a fast improving Callum Clancy who won all his moto’s. Charlie Jackson, on fire again followed in third with James Woods, Dylan Moore and Cal Gilmer all going well.
The Boys 9-10 was won by the on form Nial Davis. Ryan Quinn ended up on the second step of the podium after some great racing. Calvin Dunne took the three spot followed closely by Lee O’Sullivan, Reuben Byrne and Jake Nally, all going well in the motos. This group is always one of the best to sit back and enjoy.
Super fast Daniel Barker was at it again in the 11-12 Boys, he’s getting faster by the day. The naturally gifted Morgan Kearney ended up second with Jack Larkin in third. Ross Callaghan, Alex Nally and Ronan Phibbs were also right in the mix all day.
The Boys 13-14 is shaping up to be a season long battle between some great young riders. Jason Rowe took the win form Matthew Campbell and Lee Byrne, Home track favourite Leon Curely had a bad crash in his first moto and didn’t really get back to 100%, keep an eye on him at the next round.
The very fast and stylish Eoin Corrigan, in the 15+, won the battle to win again but it was Adam Davis, riding up an age group, who almost stole the glory with a great pass in the last corner of the final but had to settle for second by the finish line. Jake Campbell going well, took third from Patrick Bradley ahead of Katie O’Neill, who was racing both the male and female categories, it’s tiring even thinking about it. Adam Fynes was unlucky in the final having gone well in the motos.
Girl U7 was won by Chloe Steacy in a real tight battle with Chloe Byrne from Skyla Nally, this group had moto racing with the two Chole’s having the same points so the winner was decided on the last moto. Very close.
Shauna Byrne took the Girls 8-10 class from Jade Gaffney and Alannah Carolan.
In the Girls 11-14, Abby Steacy was on it again, taking the top spot from Shauna Rowe, Kate Larkin and Caitlin Gaffney.
Katie O’Neil, running from the finish line back to the start hill for the 15+ Ladies took the number one spot from Alison Murphy in second, followed by Alex Malone in third.
Adult 30+ was won again by Joey O’Neill, two for two, not bad for his first season racing. Belfast BMX Club’s Johnny Reid, who in his first BMX race since 1991 managed to stay alive and take second at the same time. Ex Superclass rider Ian Hamilton took third. It would be brilliant if we had all our 30+ riders back for round 3, some were spotted riding the track after the race, we know you want to!
The Superclass was won easily by Joe Presswood from the UK, again showing that actual training goes a long way, hopefully some of our best can learn a thing or two. The good thing for Irish BMX was that Aaron Edwards, Jake Lynch, Matthew Malone and Sam Murphy are now realising their potential and learning that winning sometimes requires a battle. Aaron worked hard all day for his second spot and Jake proved that it doesn’t matter how you get to the final it’s what you do when your there.
Round 3 is back out at the Ratoath Track on May 11th when we can expect another great event from the Ratoath crew, Shay’s personal sun god is promising a harder, faster surface too. Now if only we could get everyone who raced the Nationals to turn up to a race on the same day … now that would be special!
You can see the National Table HERE and the Team Table HERE.
Yet again we had lots of great photographers out at the track making us look better than we actually are, you can see all their images in the links below.
Stephen Kane (Oilte Photography)
