XC NPS # 2 – Killarney – 25 April 2010

A couple of riders at the world cup in Dalby and a couple of riders not going to make the long drive to Kerry made this race tempting. We left the house at 7:45am, not too bad, and we reached the course in 3:15, very good. The venue was poor, up a crappy road to a crappy field with a stunning mountain view. The course consisted of a nice open climb, a nice tech descent, and then 4km of crappy rough fields…..right, lets get on with it!

I had a good race, Evan and I played out the 1st half of the race together, than I put the head down and pulled a small gap and keep it going to the finish. Tough race, kidneys pounded to bits, but a win is a win…..leading the overall series now, happy days.

This was my 1st race on the new hardtail, incredible, rode very well and didn’t put a tyre wrong.

Ray had a tough day, a couple of falls made the going tough, and he rolled home to take 12th.

The next NPS is in 2 weeks in Lady Dixon Park in Belfast, couldn’t be more different. Flat n fast.

Joe

Off one of the many drops

More drops

Evan and I duke it out

Team Bike, Raven Pro

Finished the build for the carbon race bike. What a machine! Full carbon frame, BB30, oversize bottom headtube, internal cable, post mount rear disc, etc....very light, seems very stiff, cant wait to ride it! I will be building up the Super Bud soon too. Big thanks for Aidan in Eurocycles.

NPS XC1

The first round of the NPS took place at the weekend in glorious sunshine. It was a hard course that produced some great racing.

Joe was the only team member in action. After a blistering start he eventually finished an excellent 3rd in the Elites behind Robin(1st) and Richie Felle (2nd)

The next Round in the NPS will be in Killarney on the 25th Of April, by which stage we will have our new bikes.

Pics

Shay Barry’s photos Part 1
Shay Barry’s photos Part 2
Shay Barry’s photos Part 3

Phils photos (sports race)

More photos

Aine’s photos

Michal’s photos

Shane’s photos

NPS XC # 1

Our first race of the year, NPS round 1, hosted by IMBRC in Slade. Course is almost 100% new singletrack, so it should be good. I am riding elites this year, a little daunting. No where near 100% yet, but I will give it a go anyway. As the NPS is an overall goal this year, its worth trying to go for every round.

Our 2010 team bikes

Very exciting. Soon, courtesy of Focus and Eurocycles, we will take delivery of our 2010 team bikes.

Focus Raven Pro
Brand new, very lightweight carbon frame, packed with features. Cant wait to race it!

Focus super Bud Team
Our training bikes, full susser, perfect for hacking in the hills.

Team Focus/IDModels.ie 2010/2011

INTRODUCTION
In 2011 'The European Master Mountain Bike Championships' will be coming to Ireland. This is one of the biggest Mountain Bike events on the European calendar and is growing every year. Masters are all riders, over the age of 30, who are not competing at professional level, which makes it a hugely popular event.

The Focus MTB team, over the 2010 & 2011, will race and train with the final objective of having the leading Irish team at the European Master Championships.

WHY
With the popularity of mountain biking, and cycling in general in Ireland, we see this event as a great way to increase the profile of our company and the profile of our sponsors. Thousands of people from both home and abroad will be involved in this race, with the main focus being on the host nation riders. With four of the top Masters in the country on the team we hope to generate large interest in the team, and gain exposure for sponsors.

WHAT WE WILL DO
Aside from competing in 'The European Masters Mountain Bike Championship', 2011, the team aim to compete in, and win, the Irish National Point Series (six National races) Master & Elite Title, to win the Master Championships Title & Top 3 in Elite race in both XC and Marathon. The team will also compete in events outside Ireland. We will also be doing training over weekends around Ireland, Scotland and Wales in preparation for these events.

RIDERS

Joe McCall
Joe won the first Irish MTB championships in 1993 and has also competed at an international level for a number of years. He is the current Cyclocross Champion and consistently competes at the top level in Ireland. Joe will ride in the Elite category for 2010 in preparation for the 2011 Masters season

Ray Doyle
Ray has been involved in outdoor sports for many years, and has recently taken his passion for mountain biking to a new level. Ray has consistently competed at the top level in MTB masters racing in Ireland and he hopes to target some international events for 2010/2011, including the European Masters Championships.

Craig Brady
Craig began mountain bike racing in the early 1990’s and competed professionally at international level for a number of seasons in the late 1990’s. Craigs talent and class is well know and he will draw on this experience to deliver results for 2010/2011.

Paul Hicks
Paul also started MTB racing in the early 1990’s and competed at international level for a number of years. Paul is known for his determination and technical skills, and his racing experience will prove formidable.