This weekend the mountainbike scene switches to Glenarm as the Irish National Points Series gets underway on Sunday.  Located on the East Antrim coastline in the Glens of Antrim, anyone who competes in the annual Tour of the Glens ride will know the village well.  As one of the most popular circuits in Ireland, Glenarm has been hosting mountainbike races for years, and although this will be the first time an NPS race will have been held there, it’s always provided a great race with one of the toughest circuits about.  It really does incorporate everything you would want in an MTB race and will favour the most well rounded riders in the field. 

You can see exactly why this is when you look at the profile of the course and what all it includes: Fast single track, tight downhill sections, river crossings, open fire tracks and one of the toughest off-road climbs you’ll come across.  I don’t remember the exact length of the climb but it’s bloody steep, it’s relentless and will seriously test the riders.

Being the first round of the NPS riders will be looking to get off to as good a start as possible.  The series lasts seven rounds with a rider’s best five results of the seven counting towards his overall total.

The event is promoted by East Antrim CC/Issac Agnew Audi in association with Larne Borough Council and will include an increased prize purse due to the inclusion of Larne Council.

Sign on begins at 10:30am with the following schedule:

11:30am - U8,10,12
12:00pm - U16
12:01pm - Sport Men/Women
12:02pm - U14
1:30pm - Elite Mens
1:31pm - Elite Women/Juniors
1:32pm - Experts
1:33pm - Masters
1:34pm - Vets

Unfortunately cycleseen will not have a photographer at the race but if I get the chance I may swing by with the camcorder.

Category: Mountainbike » |

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