Round 2 of the National Cyclo-cross Series took place on Sunday 26 October 2025 at Glencullen Adventure Park (the GAP). This was the first time that the national series has been held at this location and host club EPIC MTB had been working hard on converting a large sheep field into a cyclo-cross race venue. The club had organised a training day on Saturday with Robin Seymour showing over 20 riders some cyclo-cross skills. Sunday had rain and wind all day. Strong winds played havoc with gazebos and course tape. The site is exposed with little shelter. Car parking was provided in the main GAP area where there was a restaurant ‘Grizzlys’ with registration being set up in the outdoor covered seating area.
The racing kicked off with the Under 6s who had their own mini course set up. The 7 young riders braved the elements to complete their course which included a log for them to lift their bikes over!
The Under 8s then started up beside the timing tent. They had 2 laps of a section of the main course. This included the steep climb up to the finish line. Noah Finnegan (Square Wheels) repeated his win from Round 1 in the boys’ race with Logan Finnegan (Square Wheels) second and Eanna Ryan (Gorey Cycling Club) third. Alice Bell (Un-Attached Ulster) was leading at the end of lap 1 but Sol Lally (Ballinasloe Cycling Club) came through to take her second win of the series. Alice had to settle for second with twins Sally Mowbray and Ava Mowbray (Apollo Cycling Team) finishing third and fourth respectively.
The Under 10s used the same course as the Under 8s but they had 5 laps to do. James Kavanagh (Lakeland) was leading the boys’ at the end of lap 1, Naoise Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) led for laps 2 and 3 but it was Oliver O’Sullivan (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) who would take the win, his second of the series. Naoise was second with James third. In the girls’ race Marian Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) finished ahead of Isabel Lopes (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club).
The Under 12s course used the full field but skipped the tricky off-camber section. They had 5 laps to complete. There was an exciting battle at the front of the boys’ race with Benjamin Cunningham (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club), Lewis Bell (Shelbourne/Orchard CC) and Jaxon Jennings (Bear Cycling) staying close together until the final lap when Benjamin managed to get a gap on Lewis to take the win, his second of the series. Lewis had led for one of the laps but had to settle for second. Jaxon was third. Among the girls’ Molly Turner (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) took the chequered flag ahead of Caroline Collins (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) with Helena Lopes (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) third and Robyn McDermott (Un-Attached Leinster) fourth.
After a break for podium presentations and course practice it was the turn of the Under 14s, Under 16s and Women to race. They used the full course. The Under 16 and Under 14 boys had 5 laps, the Under 16 and Under 14 girls had 4 laps with the Women completing 6 laps.
Daragh Quigley (Foyle CC) got his second win of the series in the Under 14 boys’ category. Fabian Drwal (Lynx Cycling Club) was second with Billy Lord (Breffni Wheelers) third and Max McGrath (Fermoy Cycling Club) fourth. In the Under 14 girls’ race Lilly McDermott (TC Racing) got her second win of the series. Laoise Crinion (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) was second with Aoife Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) third.
In the Under 16 boys’ race Eoin Davis (Bohermeen CC) continues to impress with another win this season. James Cunningham (Team WORC) was second with James Geary (Fermoy Cycling Club) third – a repeat of the podium from Round 1. In the Under 16 girls’ race Ava Baker (Breffni Wheelers) had a comfortable gap at the finish ahead of Naoise Byrne (Carlow RCC) with Ciara Flavin (Dungarvan CC) third.
In the Women’s race Darcey Harkness (Dan Morrissey Pissei Cycling Team) had led for the first two laps but Rachel Newell (McConvey Cycles) managed to reel in Darcey and get to the front to cross the line first. Darcey was second with Leah McCarthy (K Capital Rocky Mountain) third. These three formed the podium for the Senior women. Ami Flavin (Dungarvan CC) was fourth across the line but was first Junior. Joining Ami on the podium was Ysabella Huele (Sundrive Track Team) and Grace O’Rourke (Spellman-Dublin Port). The Masters podium saw Aishling O’Connor (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) on the top step, Aine Maccarthy (Sorrento CC) second and Sinead Parsons (Islandeady Cycling Club) third.
Next up were the Masters M50s, M60s and the non-cyclocross bike support race. In the M50s race Fearghal Regan (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) was having a great contest with Barry Convery (Newry Wheelers CC). Barry managed to get to the front for laps 4 and 5 but the ever cool Fearghal got back on the front to finish the 7 laps first, taking his second win of the series. Barry had to settle for second place. John Doris (EPIC MTB) made his way up to third with Declan McEntee (Emyvale CC) fourth and Chris Byrne (Park Wheelers) fifth.
In the M60s race current champion Johnny McCabe (Cuchulainn CC) was leading for the first two laps but he had Michael Jordan (CSS Tallaght Wheelers) sitting on his wheel. On lap 3 Michael made his move and took the lead. Michael stretched that lead over Johnny at the end of the 7 lap race. Johnny was second with Colm Bracken (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) third.
For the support race, Karl Ryan (Bray Wheelers) got the win ahead of Renato Dalzochio (EPIC MTB) with Gerard O’Sullivan (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) third, Kenneth Mulvaney (Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club) fourth and Wayne Byrne, making his cyclo-cross race debut, finishing fifth.
The final race of the day was for the Seniors, Juniors and M40s. The Seniors and M40s had 9 laps to do with the Juniors having 6 laps. Talk of the day was Junior rider Ryan Daly (Scott Racing IRL) who was setting the fastest course lap. Joining Ryan on the podium was Shane O’Brien (Fermoy Cycling Club) with Conor Regan (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) third.
In the Senior race Robin Seymour (Team WORC), who is old enough to race in the M50s race but chose to challenge the younger riders, set out his stall on lap 2 getting to the front and staying there. Graham Boyd (McConvey Cycles) continues his great season so far finishing second, his fourth podium this season. Round 1 winner Richard Barry (St. Finbarrs CC) had to settle for third with twins Pierce O’Leary (Lucan Cycling Road Club) and Sean O’Leary (Lucan Cycling Road Club) finishing fourth and fifth, followed by the brothers Gavin O’Connell (Team WORC) and Ian O’Connell (Team WORC) in sixth and seventh place.
In the M40s race current champion Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles Cycling Club) made the move on Marcus Flavin (Dungarvan CC) on lap 6 to go on to take the win. Marcus wasn’t far behind in second place with Brian Melia (Team WORC) third. Round 1 winner Ronan O’Flynn (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) was fourth with Barry Kellett (Dromara Cycling Club) getting the better of Trevor Costello (Islandeady Cycling Club) to finish fifth and sixth respectively.
Well done to Mark O’Shea and all at EPIC MTB for hosting this round. A test of strength and resolve against Mother Nature. Well done to all the riders who braved the conditions. The next round of the national series takes place on Sunday 30 November 2025 at Limerick Racecourse hosted by Greenmount Academy. This was the venue for the 2024 National Championships.
Commissaires: Liz Roche, Jim Adams and Martin Grimley
Results
Series table after 2 rounds
Report by Martin Grimley
Photos
CYCLE RACE Photos Ireland (Facebook) –
U6-U12,
U14, U16, Women
M50, M60, Support
Senior, Junior, M40
Toby Watson (Facebook) – photos
Keith Colville (Facebook) – podium photos
Keith Colville (Instagram) – videos
