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The Cyclo-cross world descended upon the capital for the third renewal of the of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Dublin. Over 180 athletes from 16 nations arrived on the Sport Ireland Campus for the second round of the 2024 series.
Where Irish weather is often seen as a deterrent for some sports, Cyclo-cross fans and riders look forward to challenging muddy conditions. The purpose built 3,500m course included various technical elements and obstacles such as the sand pit and boards which riders had to negotiate.
Racing began with the Junior Men’s, where 40 riders including six Irish took to the course. In what proved to be a very competitive race, reigning Junior Men’s National Cyclo-cross champion Conor Murphy was the first Irish rider to cross the finish line.
This is the second consecutive year Murphy has been the highest place Irish rider in this division. Today’s performance saw him improve on his 18th place finish in 2023, coming home in 14th.
Speaking after the race he said, “I was delighted with the course and very happy with the result. The course was quick on the straights and it was greasy in some spots, but I felt it suited me very well this course. The competition is very high, it was a small field but very high quality. It was good to see where I am for a marker now for the Christmas period.”
Curtis McKee, Ryan Daly, Hugh Óg Mulhearne, James Armstrong and Cameron Henry all put in solid performances, gaining invaluable experience racing on the international stage.
Victory went to Soren Bruyère Joumard for France. Belgian riders filled the remaining two places on the podium, with Giel Lejeune in second and Lennes Jacobs in third.
As crowds began the build, it was the turn of the Junior Women. A small but highly competitive field of 30 riders set off on course. Cheered on by their home crowd, Greta Lawless and Aoife O’Donovan donned the green jerseys.
There is no doubt that Lawless is one of Ireland’s rising cycling stars, and today she once again proved why. The 17-year-old dug deep to come home in tenth place, the highest placed Irish rider across all races today.
Preparations may not have been as she hoped but that did not stop Lawless from putting in an exceptional performance, stating, “It was really good, it was quite exciting actually. I guess top ten, I didn’t really expect it. I had exams just this week and I was sick the week before so not the most ideal run up but once the race started, I just forgot about it and started picking off the riders.”
It was worth the journey over for American rider Lidia Cusack who topped the podium. She was followed home by Lison Desprez for France in second and Rafaelle Carrier for Canada in third.
Speaking to Cycling Ireland afterwards, Cusack said, “Very hard but very fun race, I started very far back so it was full gas from the start to connect with the front. Then once I got to the front I didn’t think twice, I just went for it and rode it all the way to the finish.”
There was a strong Irish contingent of Dean Harvey, Travis Harkness, Tadhg Killeen and Michael Collins in the third race of the day – the Under 23 Men’s.
Two-time reigning Senior Cyclo-cross National Champion Dean Harvey got off to a strong start and maintained a good position throughout the race to finish in 20th.
Reflecting on the race, Harvey said, “It was quite tough, as it usually is, but I’m happy enough. I did my best with what I had. I couldn’t really complain, nothing really went wrong so I did what I could.”
Following a busy season on the road, it has been a quiet start to the Cyclo-cross season for Harvey, as he told Cycling Ireland, “I knew it was going to be tough to be in good form for this after taking a break after the road season, but I’ve been getting better each week. I didn’t really have expectations for this but yeah, I’m happy enough to get back into it.”
The Dublin round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup gives Irish riders an opportunity to compete internationally in front of a home crowd, something Harvey credits with helping achieve his top 20 finish. “It completely changes the spirit of the race just having everyone. I definitely wouldn’t have got as good a result without them,” said Harvey.
Belgian riders claimed the top two places in the Under 23 Men’s. Victory went to Jente Michels with his teammate Aaron Dockx finishing as the runner up. David Haverdings completed the podium for the Netherlands.
The Elite Women’s race, which included the Under 23 Women’s category, over 50 riders took to the course, including reigning World Champion Fem Van Empel. Van Empel faced tough competition, with five national champions, including last year’s Dublin winner Lucinda Brand included in the field.
Brand looked in control from the outset and ultimately came home 24 seconds ahead of Van Empel who had to settle for second. Also picking up the same position as she did in 2023, Zoe Backstedt completed the podium for Great Britain.
Esther Wong made her debut for Ireland and did so in style as the highest places Irish rider. Speaking afterwards she said, “Feeling really good, it was a really good atmosphere and really fun racing in the green jersey for the first time in front of the Irish crowd, I felt really supported.”
Talking about how she found the course, she added, “It was really hard, it was not really my course I don’t think. The quite long straights, bit of headwind – it was full on from the start.”
Concluding the racing for the day was the Elite Men’s race where fans were treated to a fast and furious display. A crash at the boards on the first laps took out several of the favourites. The Belgian contingent of Toon Aerts, Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt and Joran Wyseure kept the pressure on last year’s winner Pim Ronhaar for the Netherlands and Felipe Orts Lloret for Spain. As riders made their way around the eighth and final lap, Lars Van Der Haar and Laurens Sweeck were also in the mix.
Leaving it until the last turn to pull a gap out, Vanthourenhout finished narrowly ahead of Aerts in second and Orts Lloret in third.
Full results for each category can be found at the links below:
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