After two glorious days practicing under some Spring sunshine in Ireland, the riders prepare for battle across the seven stages straddling the side of Wicklow mountain. The stages have been getting drier and faster throughout the weekend with the riders having to adapt to the changing conditions, who will come out on top come Sunday evening? We had a chat with a few riders to find out how they’re feeling coming into race day.
Greg Callaghan – CUBE Action Team
Practice went very good, really enjoyed it. I’m feeling good on the new bike with the big wheels so trucking through. I feel really comfortable, getting loads of support out on track which is really cool, just looking forward to the chaos tomorrow! The stages are a bit faster than last year, they’re a bit cut up and they’ve taken out some of the pedally sections to keep it flowing a bit more. I think it might be a little more enjoyable to race, it won’t be as physical and just more flat out. Two and three are big stages, they’re so long and physical as well, on three, there is so many places that can slow you down since it is so rough and flat, on six and seven there are a few techy bits that are pretty crucial to the race.
Alex Cure – Rocky Mountain – Urge BP
Stages are good, its kind of flat but still fun because it dry and not running slow. Stage six is very good, mainly downhill with lots of fast parts. All the stages are good because of the mountain as its so little. I like this place, all the people are amazing around the track so it’s easy to go fast!
Nico Vouilloz – Lapierre Gravity Republic
I had a good practice, I started training late in the day to try and catch the last line and the evolution of the track. The organizers have worked well on the tracks, they’ve improved all the bad things from last year so it makes the tracks more fun to ride, it’s still physical in stage two, three, four but the rest of the track is good. We are lucky with the sun, I have a good feeling overall, just physically I am not so strong but in the technical sections I am feeling better, I hope the combination will not be too bad!
Raphaela Richter – Radon Factory
I had a little crash on stage five, well it wasn’t so little but pretty big actually! I was having some problems with my arm but it should be all good now I think. I really enjoyed stage six, I rode the top section two times and have my lines now so hopefully I’ll get them tomorrow. Winning the under 21 category is my goal for the weekend.
Iago Garay – Santa Cruz
The tracks have dried up a lot, we’ve been able to do two runs on pretty much all the stages so I’m feeling good, definitely better than if it was all wet! There is a lot of grip in most places so it will be cool to race. Tracks are pretty similar to last year with a few new sections but they are running better now with the grip and the dirt is running faster, I guess it will be a quicker race with lower times. It’s going to be really tight, with little things making the differences meaning you need to carry your speed well here. It’s going to be super physical so people who are strong on both upper and lower body are the ones that are going to do well as the rough tracks are at the end of the day and that is where you need to do all the pumping and pedalling.
Rae Morrison – Lapierre Gravity Republic
Ireland has definitely brought the party here, its a lot of fun! The stages have some pretty technical and wild bits but also some really physical pedally sections. It’s going to be a good all round race, I’m really looking forward to it! I’m a little nervous of the Irish crowd but pretty excited about it aswell! Very loud, costumes, chain saws, but it’s going to be epic and an awesome weekend, the spectators are just going to be next level! There’re a few new sections which is exciting, they’ve changed some of the start and finish lines so there’s less pedaling which I think will make it a fantastic race!
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