Round four of the Irish Mountain Bike Cross Country NPS takes place on Sunday 23th May, at Magheramorne Quarry near Larne in County Antrim, promoted by Team Madigan. This vast expanse, owned by the Lafarge Company, formerly the Blue Circle Cement Works, was first used in May 2007 for a round of the NPS. This race has become a popular venue of the now 7 round Cross Country Mtb Irish National points Series.

This is a fantastic quarry course, almost purely singletrack and very fast.  Steep drops, short sprint climbs and tight racing is the standout feature of this course, check out the video from last years race below.

Sign on New Online Registration found at www.irishxcmtb.com
Sign on will also be available on race day, opening at 10am and will be located in the Blue Circle Sports and Social Club where showers are provided as well as light refreshments after the racing.

The course will be similar to last year with only a few changes with lots of drop offs and fast single tracks, a lap is 4 miles (6.4km) long with 335 foot (102hm) of climbing. Under 8 and Under 10 riders will have their own mini course while Under 12 and Under 14 competitors will have a mini loop of the main course. All other classes will use the main course.

Thanks again to ‘Chain Reaction Cycles’ who will be providing 30 spot price £10.00 vouchers during the price giving after the race.

For accommodation information in the area check www.larne.gov.uk click ‘Tourism’.

Check out the course by entering the following link which is a video of 2008’s race taken by Simon Stockton www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-V1L9ZJIxk

Race timetable:
Youth Race Start time Laps
U-10 11.30am 4 laps (mini course)
U-8 11.30am 2 laps (mini course)

Non Senior Race
U-16 12.00 midday 3 laps
SPORT Men 12.01 pm 4 laps
SPORT Ladies 12.02 pm 4 laps
U-12 12.03 pm 2 small laps
U-14 12.04 pm 4 small laps

Senior Race
ELITE MEN 1.30pm 6 laps
ELITE WOMEN 1.31pm 4 laps
JUNIORS 1.31pm 4 laps
VETS 1.32pm 4 laps
EXPERTS 1.33pm 4 laps
MASTERS 1.34pm 4 laps

All those attending the event are asked to respect the following safety arrangements.
No vehicles will be allowed onto the Quarry site.
There will be no spectator access to the Quarry face side of the road.

Riders are reminded that they should ride in their age related class. Exceptions are the ‘open’ Elite and Sports Classes. The Experts Class, while also an ‘open’ class, was introduced to provide a stepping stone from Sports to Elite level.

Sign-on fee
Junior to Elite - £20/E20
Under 16 - £10 /E10
Under 14 & below - Free

All those attending the event are asked to respect the following safety arrangements enforced by the quarry owners:
All spectators must sign in at the Security Office at Quarry Entrance.

Directions:
From Belfast and the South-
Follow signs for M2 North/Carrickfergus
On M2 keep right and join M5
Roundabout at end of M5-Take 2nd exit A2 Whiteabbey/Carrickfergus
Proceed through Carrickfergus on A2 following signs for Larne.
Remain on A2 passing through Eden and Whitehead
The venue is located approx. 2 miles south of Larne on right side of road after passing under an overhead bridge at the site.

Further details from Bill Mackness:
Tel: 07872910832
Email: billm@bhb.ie
www.magheramorneworks.co.uk Future planned Eco. village and world Mtb centre.
www.team-madigan.org.uk Team Madigan message board.