Cyclo-cross National Series Round Two Preview
Action from Round One of the Cyclo-cross National Series
The Cyclo-cross season is in full swing as he head towards the winter months with the second round of the Cyclo-cross National Series bringing us to Cross Clonmel and an exciting weekend of action on October 14th and 15th.
One of the highlight events of the Cyclo-cross calendar in recent seasons, Cross Clonmel is a unique event in its UCI Class 2 ranking - seeing several international riders make the trip to Co. Tipperary in search of the crucial UCI points.
Hosted by Clonmel CC, Slievenamon CC and Vergesport Cross Clonmel, the event is now part of the Cyclo-cross National Series, with both UCI points as well as National Series ranking points (Cycling Ireland licence holders only) on offer for those in action during a bumper weekend.
Here's everything you need to know about Cross Clonmel, Round Two of the Cyclo-cross National Series:
Date and Location
The event takes place at Powerstown Park Racecourse, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Held over two days, a series of youth and support races will be held on Saturday, October 14th, while junior, senior and masters category races will be held on Sunday, October 15th.
UCI Class 2 Event
A UCI Class 2 event, entries are open to riders from outside of Ireland.
UCI points will be gained for the top ten placings in the men and women's elite as well as the men and women's junior races. The women's junior race is subject to gaining the minimum number of entries in order to go ahead.
Schedule
Saturday, October 14th
11:30am - U6 fun race
11:45am - U8 race
12:05pm - U10 race
12:35pm - U12 race
1:30pm - Combined U14 & U16 Girls race
2:40pm - Combined U14 & U16 Boys race
3:50pm - Support races
Sunday, October 15th
9:00am - Combined M50 & M60 race
10:30am - M40 race
12:10pm - Junior men's race
1:40pm - Elite Women's race
3:20pm - Elite Men's race
Note: Schedules are provisional and subject to change.
Categories
The following categories will be included in the Cyclo-cross National Series:
• Under 14 boys
• Under 14 girls
• Under 16 boys
• Under 16 girls
• Junior
• Women (an additional prize for the first unplaced Junior and master on each round)
• Senior
• M40
• M50
• M60
Entries
Entries close at midnight on Sunday, October 8th.
Quotes Corner
Race organiser, John Dempsey, said:
"This is the third year of Cross Clonmel as a UCI C2 event. We once again to have 300 riders over the two-day period - with riders from USA, France, Germany, UK and of course, the best Irish Cyclo-cross riders all descending on Clonmel for what should be a great weekend."
"This year, we will have a new course layout that will include lots of new challenges for the riders. We will also have have stands there from Giant Bikes with demo E-Bikes and we will give away two Giant bikes over the weekend - thanks to The Cycologist Clonmel."
"We believe in Cyclo-cross being an amazing way for young kids to enjoy all the positive parts of cycling in a safe and friendly environment. A host of youth races will take place on Saturday, October 14th, including an under-6 fun race in an event for all the family."
2023/24 Cyclo-cross National Series Schedule
| 17-09-23 | VC Glendale | Ulster | Belfast, Co. Antrim |
| 14/15-10-23 | Clonmel CC | Munster | Clonmel, Co. Tipperary |
| 22-10-23 | Westport Covey Wheelers | Connacht | Westport, Co. Mayo |
| 12-11-23 | Upperchurch Drombane CC | Munster | Drombane, Co. Tipperary |
| 30-12-23 | Bellurgan Wheelers | Leinster | Jenkinstown, Co. Louth |
| 07-01-24 | Team WORC | Leinster | TBC |
More information on the 2023/24 Cyclo-cross National Series is available here.
More information on Cross Clonmel can be found in the Technical Guide here.