UCI MTB World Cup Round 5
Cycling Ireland International XCO Squad in Canada
Last Sunday the Cycling Ireland International XCO Squad took part in the fifth round of the UCI MTB World Cup held in St. Felicien in the Canadian province of Quebec. The course for the event was a technical masterpiece with climbs over roots and descents over roots and rocks. In spite of periods of rain on Sunday, the course was fully ridable at all times.
In the Mens race Robin Seymour was again the top performer with Ireland, the 36 year old Wicklow rider having one of his best World Cup performances. Starting 49th on the grid, Robin got caught in traffic on the opening start loop, at one stage dropping as low as 77th. Robin recovered on what he described as a perfect mtb course to eventually finish 37th, a fine ride especially with quite a few of the world’s top 20 riders finishing behind him.
Niall Davis started well, the IMBRC rider excelling in the early stages, however his early race efforts took a toll on the young rider, Niall eventually finishing 68th. Belfast based XMTB rider Conor McConvey was making his World Cup debut. Unfortunately Conor was involved in a collision with a number of riders in which his back mech was damaged, this left the young Ulster rider with only one gear. He rode a full lap with only one gear and was eventually forced to retire when the back mech snapped off. Tarja Owens was forced to pull out shortly after the start of the Womens race due to health problems.
Next Tuesday, 10th July, Robin Seymour, Niall Davis and Conor McConvey set off for the European MTB XC Championships in Turkey, the good news is that the original course has had to be changed with the new course being of a more technical nature which should suit the Irish lads.
Race report by Andy Potts.More info |