IRISH MTB XC NPS RD 5-MAGHERAMORNE, LARNE
Round five of the Irish Mountain Bike Cross Country NPS takes place on Sunday 24th May, at Magheramorne Quarry near Larne in County Antrim, promoted by Team Madigan. This vast expanse, owned by the Lafarge Company, formerly the Blue Circle Cement Works, was first used in May 2007 for a round of the NPS and again last year. The venue may not be what is classed as 'normal' mtb terrain, no forest etc, however the course features a number of technical challenges.
In the last two years the event proved a great success for the promoting Club as they moved away from their ancestral mtb home, Woodburn Forest. Once over the culture shock of an mtb race not in a forest, the majority of those that competed the rounds thoroughly enjoyed the course which provided for fast racing in the ultra dry conditions.
Sign on for race day (Sunday) opens at 10am and will be located in the Blue Circle Sports and Social Club where showers are provided as well as light refreshments after the racing.
The course will be similar to last year with only a few changes with lots of drop offs and fast single tracks, a lap is 4 miles (6.4km) long with 335 foot (102hm) of climbing.
Under 8 and Under 10 riders will have their own mini course while Under 12 and Under 14 competitors will have a mini loop of the main course. All other classes will use the main course.
The course will be open for a practice session on Saturday 23rd May between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.
All riders must sign the Sign-On sheet, open from 1 – 2 pm.
Team Madigan wish to thank Chain Reaction Cycles for their kind sponsorship in support of this event.
Caravan / Camping at the venue contact Maria on 07940 555847. For accommodation information in the area check www.larne.gov.uk click ‘Tourism’.
Check out the course by entering the following link which is a video of last years racing taken by Simon Stockton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-V1L9ZJIxk
Race timetable:
Races 1 Start time Laps
U-10 11.31am 4 laps (mini course)
U-8 11.32am 2 laps (mini course)
Race 2
U-16 12.15pm 3 laps
SPORT 12.16pm 3 laps
Ladies 12.16pm 3 laps
U-14 12.17pm 4 small laps
U-12 12.18pm 2 small laps
Races 3
ELITE MEN 1.30pm 7 laps
ELITE WOMEN 1.31pm 5 laps
JUNIORS 1.31pm 5 laps
EXPERTS 1.32pm 5 laps
MASTERS 1.33pm 5 laps
VETS 1.34pm 5 laps
All those attending the event are asked to respect the following safety arrangements.
No vehicles will be allowed onto the Quarry site.
There will be no spectator access to the Quarry face side of the road.
Riders are reminded that they should ride in their age related class. Exceptions are the 'open' Elite and Sports Classes.
The Experts Class, while also an 'open' class, was introduced to provide a stepping stone from Sports to Elite level.
Directions:
From Belfast and the South-
Follow signs for M2 North/Carrickfergus
On M2 keep right and join M5
Roundabout at end of M5-Take 2nd exit A2 Whiteabbey/Carrickfergus
Proceed through Carrickfergus on A2 following signs for Larne.
Remain on A2 passing through Eden and Whitehead
The venue is located approx. 2 miles south of Larne on right side of road after passing under an overhead bridge at the site.
Further details from Bill Mackness:
Tel: 07872910832
Email: william.mackness@btinternet.com
Round five of the Irish Mountain Bike Cross Country NPS takes place on Sunday 24th May, at Magheramorne Quarry near Larne in County Antrim, promoted by Team Madigan. This vast expanse, owned by the Lafarge Company, formerly the Blue Circle Cement Works, was first used in May 2007 for a round of the NPS and again last year. The venue may not be what is classed as 'normal' mtb terrain, no forest etc, however the course features a number of technical challenges.
In the last two years the event proved a great success for the promoting Club as they moved away from their ancestral mtb home, Woodburn Forest. Once over the culture shock of an mtb race not in a forest, the majority of those that competed the rounds thoroughly enjoyed the course which provided for fast racing in the ultra dry conditions.
Sign on for race day (Sunday) opens at 10am and will be located in the Blue Circle Sports and Social Club where showers are provided as well as light refreshments after the racing.
The course will be similar to last year with only a few changes with lots of drop offs and fast single tracks, a lap is 4 miles (6.4km) long with 335 foot (102hm) of climbing.
Under 8 and Under 10 riders will have their own mini course while Under 12 and Under 14 competitors will have a mini loop of the main course. All other classes will use the main course.
The course will be open for a practice session on Saturday 23rd May between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.
All riders must sign the Sign-On sheet, open from 1 – 2 pm.
Team Madigan wish to thank Chain Reaction Cycles for their kind sponsorship in support of this event.
Caravan / Camping at the venue contact Maria on 07940 555847. For accommodation information in the area check www.larne.gov.uk click ‘Tourism’.
Check out the course by entering the following link which is a video of last years racing taken by Simon Stockton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-V1L9ZJIxk
Race timetable:
Races 1 Start time Laps
U-10 11.31am 4 laps (mini course)
U-8 11.32am 2 laps (mini course)
Race 2
U-16 12.15pm 3 laps
SPORT 12.16pm 3 laps
Ladies 12.16pm 3 laps
U-14 12.17pm 4 small laps
U-12 12.18pm 2 small laps
Races 3
ELITE MEN 1.30pm 7 laps
ELITE WOMEN 1.31pm 5 laps
JUNIORS 1.31pm 5 laps
EXPERTS 1.32pm 5 laps
MASTERS 1.33pm 5 laps
VETS 1.34pm 5 laps
All those attending the event are asked to respect the following safety arrangements.
No vehicles will be allowed onto the Quarry site.
There will be no spectator access to the Quarry face side of the road.
Riders are reminded that they should ride in their age related class. Exceptions are the 'open' Elite and Sports Classes.
The Experts Class, while also an 'open' class, was introduced to provide a stepping stone from Sports to Elite level.
Directions:
From Belfast and the South-
Follow signs for M2 North/Carrickfergus
On M2 keep right and join M5
Roundabout at end of M5-Take 2nd exit A2 Whiteabbey/Carrickfergus
Proceed through Carrickfergus on A2 following signs for Larne.
Remain on A2 passing through Eden and Whitehead
The venue is located approx. 2 miles south of Larne on right side of road after passing under an overhead bridge at the site.
Further details from Bill Mackness:
Tel: 07872910832
Email: william.mackness@btinternet.com