Another great days racing at Day 2 of the National CX Championships

Sunday 11 January 2026 was day 2 of the National Cyclo-cross championships which saw the M40s, Juniors, Women and Seniors racing. Heavy rain overnight had changed the course from frozen, hard and fast, to muddy, heavy and slow. It was a much milder day with temperatures rising to 11 degrees. The rain stopped before the start of the M40s race and held off until the last race of the day, the Senior men’s race. Those riders who practiced the course on Saturday were out early seeing how the course had changed. The start line was again down the tarmac lane, 200 metres from the first corner.

Race village

The first race was for the M40s. They had 5 full laps and the in-lap to complete. The fastest lap time yesterday was 7 minutes 42 seconds. In the M40s race the fastest lap time was 9 minutes 21 seconds over the same course, showing how much the conditions had changed. At the end of the first full lap it was Darragh McCarter (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) who was first across the line but Glenn Kinning (Un-Attached Ulster) got himself to the front of the pack and kept himself there to the finish line. This made for Glenn’s fourth national championship win in a row in the M40s. Darragh had to settle for second place with Ronan O’Flynn (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) third, Marcus Flavin (Dungarvan CC) fourth. Joseph Donworth (Greenmount CA) won a sprint finish against Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

Finish straight

The Junior men were up next. They had 4 full laps plus the in-lap to race over. Ryan Daly (Scott Racing IRL) would have been the pre-race favourite but it was Fionn Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) who took to the front of the race. Fionn hasn’t raced cyclo-cross much this season so this form was not expected. Fionn crossed the line with a comfortable margin ahead of Ryan. Conor Regan (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) was third with James Armstrong (VC Glendale) fourth, Curtis McKee (Spellman-Dublin Port) fifth and Shane O’Brien (Fermoy Cycling Club) sixth.

Boards

The Women were racing next. On the start line we had the combined Junior and Senior category (13 riders) and then starting on a separate whistle were the Masters women (7 riders). Among the Senior women were 3 riders who normally race in England, Esther Wong (Spectra Racing) who was the 2025 national champion, Roisin Lally (Grity Race Team) who was third in 2022 and Freya Whiteside (Simpson Nouvelles) a newcomer to racing in Ireland. It was Freya who would appear in first place at the end of the in-lap and would remain in first place for the rest of the race. Greta Lawless (Dawson Racing) was second with Esther Wong third. Doireann Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) was fourth with Elena Wallace (Harps CC) fifth. Picking up the first unplaced Junior women’s prize was Ffion Dolan (TC Racing). In the Masters women’s race, we had a repeat of the 2025 podium with Jean Wilson (EPIC MTB) back on the top step of the podium, Aishling O’Connor (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) second and Helen White (Stamullen RC) third.

Scaffold bridge

The final race of the day was for the Senior men. They had 6 full laps plus the in-lap to race in the rain. At the end of the first full lap it was the 2025 champion Dean Harvey (McConvey Cycles) who was out in front. Dean stayed at the front of the race until the chequered flag however, he couldn’t afford to drop his pace as the 2022 champion Christopher Dawson (Dawson Racing) was always giving chase. A great result from Christopher as this was his only cyclo-cross race this season. A super result from Dean as this is his fourth title in a row. Darnell Moore (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) had won the championship back in 2018 but had to settle for third this year. David Montgomery (Spellman-Dublin Port) was fourth with Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) fifth. Travis Harkness (Lyon Sprint Evolution) was sixth and picked up the first unplaced U23 prize.

Thanks to all at Breffni Wheelers, especially Enda Baker and John Lord, for hosting a superb National Cyclo-cross Championships. Thanks to all the sponsors for supporting the event, Cavan County Council for the use of the site, the Civil Defence for their work and all those people behind the scene who came together to make this happen. For the continued promotion of this sport there is a big thanks to all the photographers. Next year the championships will take place in Leinster.

Commissaires: Gary McIlroy, Jim Adams, Liz Roche, Ronan Fox, Martin Grimley

Results here

Report by Martin Grimley

Photos
Sportsphoto Ireland (Facebook)
Senior men
Women’s race
Junior men
M40

Toby Watson (Facebook)
Senior men
Women
Junior men
M40s

CYCLE RACE Photos Ireland (Facebook)
Finishes
Senior men
Women’s race
Junior men
M40s

Eamon Bracken (Facebook)
Senior men
Women’s race
Junior men
M40s

Dany Blondeel (Facebook)
Day 2 (Part 1)
Day 2 (Part 2)

Tommy Vennard (Facebook)
Day 2