After yesterdays victory in St. Anne's Park in Dublin we caught up with the new cyclocross national champion to ask him a few quick questions.

mtbireland: Well it's been a long time coming Joe but how do you feel now that you're National Cyclocross Champion?
Joe: Thank God that’s over, that’s how I feel! It is great being a national champ. It’s a niche discipline in a niche sport, but its still good to win.
 

mtbireland: I have to ask about the age thing, at 37 years young do you think it's age is an issue in cross?
Joe: Sure it is. Age is an issue now in everything I do, biking, getting out of bed, etc. Everything is just a little bit more tiring.
 

mtbireland: Coming into the race how confident were you feeling?
Joe: Very confident. You have to be confident in cross. Its so friggin hard that you cant have any doubt. I considered myself the favorite and rode the race that way.
 

mtbireland: Were the cross champs a specific target for you?
Joe: Absolutely. Time is limited these days and training for cross is not too time consuming.
 

mtbireland: What has your preparation been like the past few months?
Joe: Prep was ok. I’m not living the life of a pro, day to day things are all in there.

mtbireland: What about specific cross training?
Joe: Yeah, that’s where this year was different. I did Robins Tuesday night training and Marks ghetto cross races at the weekend. Also, riding in and out was work was great, every light, every corner was a sprinting opportunity.
 
mtbireland: About the race?  Did you have any specific tactics on the day?
Joe: Fla’ ou’  (that means flat out)
 

mtbireland: How do you think the absence of Robin, Roger and Conor affected things?
Joe: It made the race easier for me, that’s for sure. After the 3rd lap I was able to back off and maintain the gap. I would have preferred if the guys were riding, I think I had the form to be very competitive. I would have still rode the race for the win.
 

mtbireland: Cross has gained a lot more interest in this country in the past few years, why do you think that is?
Joe: Because people are finally seeing that its actually the best sport in the world. No other cycling disciplines are you so out of control for so long. If you rode like that in XC or DH, you would be in hospital. I was sideways everywhere for 1 hour!

mtbireland: You did your first cross champs in 1991 and finished 3rd.  How has the sport changed?
Joe: Better bikes, better riders, INFINITLY better courses.
 

mtbireland: Stilly question but for the 2010/2011 season will you be back to defend your title?
Joe: Defo, should be up north next year so hopefully I’ll get to ride against Roger, Conor, Lewis, Glenn etc.

ATTN NEWS AND PHOTO DESKS
For Immediate Release

International Cycling Event To Be Launched In Ireland

Time: Midday
Date: Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Location: Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare, IRELAND

Details of a major international cycling event for Ireland will be announced at a Press Conference in Co Clare on Tuesday, 09 February 2010.

The Press Conference will feature input from IMG, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Failte Ireland, Clare County Council and special guests (TBC). Photograph and interview opportunities will be provided.

Photo Desk Editors should note that a number of people will cycle a 10-mile section of the proposed event route prior to the Press Conference (10-11.30am). Members of the media wishing to participate in the cycle on Tuesday morning should contact Mark Dunphy (see below).

A media release will be issued at Midday on Tuesday, 09 February 2010

Further Information:
Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
(Tel) 00353-868534900
(Fax) 00353-6839692
(Skype) dunphypr
www.dunphypr.com
www.twitter.com/dunphypr
www.facebook.com/dunphypublicrelations

Hi folks,
 
Thankfully the snow and ice has gone and we can ride once again. Due to many factors we have only been able to 100% clarify the date for the race as of today.
 
The 7th of February will be the rescheduled date so as not to clash with the DH race on the 31st of Jan, and the Raheny 5km road race.
 
Please let all those who may be interested know, and further updates will be on www.mtbireland.com.
 
Thanks

Greg May DCU Cycling Club

It's the final round of the 2009 K Capital Challenge.  If you haven't done the other rounds don't worry you can still come along and enjoy the fantastic trails which have been purposely built for this event.  Chief trail builder Luke Manning from the K Capital Challenge Course design team has been out spilling blood for the last few weeks bringing you a course to remember.  Race HQ for the day is Kippure house.  Kippure House is privately owned and it offers quality accommodation and facilities privately set in 240 acres of mature woodland and rolling farm pastures.  So if you don't fancy coming up the morning of the race why not come up the day before and avail of their special B&B rates.  If you plan on bringing the family out for the day then there is lots for them to do while you negotiate the wonderful single track of the Dublin mountains. http://www.kippure.com Check out the website for more information[/link].

As with the two other rounds racing starts at midday with all riders taking to the trails in a mass start.  For new racers one day license are available on the day and as with the other rounds it's a great way to get an introduction to racing without the super competitive pressure of cross country racing.  For most it's a day out in the hills and discovering new trails.  It's also a way to test yourself and push yourself a little further than you have done before.  There is nothing like seeing a rider 50 meters ahead to make you dig that bit deeper and try and gain one more place.

For those that have done the previous two rounds the special finishers t-shirts will be given out at the finish which you can wear at the next race to let people know you 'kick ass' and finished the K Capital Challenge Series.... We'll see you all next week in what has to be one of the most idyllic settings for an off road race... if you're racing bring your camera as we would love to see your photos from the race.

K Capital Challenge Team

Directions.... http://www.kippure.com/images/kippure-location-map.pdf