National XC Championships 2025 – support races
The 2025 National Cross-country Mountain Bike Championships had a support race day on Saturday 19 July. The event took place in Tracton Woods in County Cork and was hosted by the Mountain Biking Club of Cork (MBCC). Racing today were the Under 6s, Under 8s, Under 10s and Under 12s. After these races the course was opened for practice for tomorrow. The club last hosted a race in 2019 and that was the National Championships. Reviewing the full course today it was easy to see all the preparation the club has been putting into the track. All was dry around 1 pm but during the course walk a light shower came on. Unfortunately the light shower did not quit before the youth races. The youth themselves didn’t seem to mind being covered in mud. The club had created 4 different courses for the 4 age groups.
The Under 6s were the first to start with just 4 riders on the start line. Their course took a sharp 180 degree turn just after the finish line gantry to run along the side of the main forest road, down the hill before climbing back up to the finish. Two laps was enough for these ones. They received a medal and goodie bag at the finish.
The Under 8s course took them up the climb before turning right and dropping into a chute to bring them back along a parallel track, up past the race village, down the hill and then back up the hill to the finish line. They had two laps to complete. Winning the boys’ race was Evan McTavish (Western Lakes CC) with Killian McCarthy (Un-Attached Munster) second. There was a sprint to the line between Fermoy Cycliing Club mates Conor McGrath and Teddy Lyons with Conor just keeping ahead of Teddy by a tyre width. Charlie McCarter (Un-Attached Connacht) finished fifth, after riding the Under 6s race as well. In the girls’ race Elisa Tyszecka (MBCC) took the win for the host club with Alice Bell (Un-Attached Ulster) second and Seána Rose Kennedy (Cork BMX Club) third.
The Under 10s course had the turn off further up the climb. They had 5 laps to complete. Jaxon Jennings (Bear Cycling) stormed around to take the win in the boys’ race. Josh Ruddell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) was second with Finn McTavish (Western Lakes CC) third. Ríonach Campbell (Square Wheels) won the girls’ race with Marian Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) not far behind in second place.
The final race of the day was for the Under 12s. Their turn off from the climb was further up again. There was a close battle at the front between Benjamin Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club), Fabian Drwal (Lynx Cycling Club) and Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC). These three were wheel to wheel for the first 3 of 4 laps. The lads seemed content with this arrangement until the final lap bell went and they really started racing. Coming out of the trees was Fabian Drwal with Ben Cunningham trying to keep on his wheel. These two sprinted up the climb to the finish line with Fabian holding onto his lead over Ben. Lewis wasn’t far behind them to pick up the final spot on the podium. In the girls’ race Aoife Campbell (Square Wheels) took the win finished well clear of nearest rival Emilia Tyszecka (MBCC) with Lara Burton (Un-Attached Leinster) completing the podium.
Well done to all the young riders. A super job by MBCC. Once the podium presentation was done the light rain turned to heavy rain. The main course will be a challenge for tomorrow.
Commissaire: Martin Grimley
Results here
