The 2025 Cross-Country National Points Series will again take place over five rounds. The 2024 edition, also held over five rounds, saw Daniel Brickenden take the Senior 1 Open title ahead of Gareth Mckee in second and Graham Boyd in third. The Senior 1 Women’s overall title was taken by Caoimhe May, as just 15 points separated her from Ciara MacManus and Greta Lawless in second and third respectively.
The opening round for 2025 will see last year’s National Championship hosts Team WORC play host again at Tonygarrow, Co. Wicklow on Sunday, 4th of May. The course this year opens with a steep climb across grassy terrain taking riders out of the start finish area into a fox glove forest. From the highest point on the course there is a flowing descent with a bridge crossing, rock drops and berm rides. Following the descent is a much-needed farm road connector that allows for a breath, a drink or an attack. Dropping into the second descent brings on more rocks and berms. Once through the descent there is a gravel climb into the final forest ascent which is steep and technical. The final descent has more rocks, a bridge crossing and rock ride into the start finish.
Riders will head to Cork for Round 2, as Fermoy Cycling Club play host at Glensheskin Wood on May 18th. Glensheskin’s renowned mix of fast, flowing, twisty single track will be broken up by some off camber sections, drop-offs and some technical climbs to test the best XC riders. B lines will be provided where necessary.
Sunday, 1st of June will see Banbridge CC host Round 3. This round sees the cross-country racing move from forests to open mountain as we return to the venue of the 2009 Irish Championships at Dunmore Mountain. Being on a mountain there will be plenty of climbing, descending and technical features. It will test the skills of the most seasoned riders while remaining accessible and enjoyable for those who are new to the sport.
Round 4, hosted by Clonmel MTB Club, will take place at Carey’s Castle in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary on the 15th of June. The Tipperary club are cooking up a fantastic course, with more details soon to be revealed.
The final round of the 2025 National Series will be hosted by Biking.ie as part of the Wicklow MTB Festival. The NPS event will take place on Sunday, 6th of July – the third day of the Festival at Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow. The course is a perfect combination of challenge and fun in a true spectator friendly XCO style. There will be lots of natural sections alongside forest road and trail centre sections. The wider event will see a Whip Off and after party taking place on Friday evening, with Enduro racing Saturday, and Downhill and Cross Country events taking place on Sunday, in what is sure to be an epic weekend for anyone interested in mountain biking.
Following the completion of the series, attention will turn to National Championships. This year Mountain Bike Club of Cork will host the event at Tracton Woods, a venue for the 2019 National Championships. This event is due to take place on Saturday and Sunday July 19th/20th.
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