UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup and Spectator Guide

International Entries

Unsurprisingly the Irish round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup has once again attracted a large international contingent. Fans are in for a treat with riders from 16 nations competing across the World Cup races on Sunday.

Belgium is set to be the most well represented nation with 33 riders entered, The Netherlands and France have both entered 23 riders a piece. The United States of America have also added significantly to the entry list with 20 riders. 

Click here for full entry lists.  

Women’s Elite 

In the Women’s Elite reigning World Champion Fem van Empel will be hoping to add to her victory from the opening round of the World Cup in Antwerpen last Sunday. 

Last year’s Dublin winner, Lucinda Brand finished second in Antwerpen and will looking to defend her 2023 title. 

Former World Champion Ceylin Alvarado came second in last year’s round in Dublin, and the Alpecin–Deceuninck rider will be looking to come out on top this year.

One of the most exciting names in cycling in Zoe Bäckstedt will be making a return to Dublin this year. With multiple Junior and Under 23 World and European Championships to her name across Cyclo-cross, Road and Track disciplines, the current Under 23 Cyclo-cross British National, World and European champion will look to take the win in the senior race on Sunday.

Current British National Champion Anna Kay will also be among the large British contingent in the women’s elite race on Sunday afternoon. 

Team Visma Lease a Bike rider Imogen Wolff has had a strong year on the track with two Junior World Championship titles to her name and will hope to carry that form into the Cyclo-cross season and the senior race in Dublin on Sunday.

Men’s Elite

Former European Champion, and one of the most decorated male cyclo-cross riders on the circuit Lars Van Der Haar returns to Dublin having missed last year’s round.

Winner of the 2023 Dublin round Pim Ronhaar riding with Baloise Trek Lions will be looking to add to his long list of honours again this weekend.

Last year’s overall World Cup series winner Eli Iserbyt has hit the ground running already this season with a podium last week in Antwerpen and will look to carry that form into this year’s Dublin round. He has had success previously in Dublin, finishing in third place last year.

Laurens Sweeck has also shown form in Dublin, having taken the runner up spot in both 2022 and 2023. The Crelan-Fristads and Alpecin-Deceuninck Development rider will look to carry his early season good form into the second round in the series, having already made the podium in the first round in Antwerpen last weekend. 

One of the most recognisable names on this year’s start list is Thibau Nys. Riding with Baloise Trek Lions for the Cyclo-cross season and Lidl Trek on the road, the current European Champion will be tough to beat.

Back-to-back British National Champion Cameron Mason will make his return to Dublin and will also take part in a skills session and meet and greet Saturday prior to the Elite riders practice.

Irish Riders

24 Irish riders will be racing on Sunday across each of the World Cup races. Click here to find out how some of the riders are feeling about riding in front of a home crowd here.

Junior Men’s Irish National Team

James Armstrong

Ryan Daly

Cameron Henry

Curtis McKee

Conor Murphy

Hugh Og Mulhearne

Junior Women’s Irish National Team

Greta Lawles

Aoife O’Donovan  

Under 23 Women’s Irish National Team (Racing in the Elite Women’s Race)

Doireann Killeen

Caoimhe May

Hannah McClorey

Elena Wallace

Esther Wong

Under 23 Men’s Irish National Team

Michael Collins

Travis Harkness

Dean Harvey

Tadhg Killeen

In addition to the Irish national teams competing in the World Cup Roisín Lally and Stephanie Roche, who are both under 23, will both race in the Elite Women’s race as individual riders. 

In the Elite Men’s race Richard Barry, Darnell Moore, Ronan O’Flynn, Tim O’Regan and Paul O’Reilly will ride as individuals. 

Speaking about the announcement Cycling Ireland Head Coach Neill Delahaye said: 

“To have an event of this stature on home soil is hugely exciting for the Irish cycling community and thanks to Sport Ireland for enabling cycling the opportunity to showcase our sport at this profile level with the general public. To be able to race in front of big home crowds makes it a very special occasion for Irish riders. There is strength & depth in the categories where we have selected a National Team and we hope to see the green jersey to the fore front in a number of races. The ORC have done a great job in co-ordinating the racing events from an Irish rider perspective and we expect some high-quality performances over the course of the weekend.

“The international CX Season to date has seen some exceptionally tight and competitive racing and with the Dublin Round being a protected race, we are expecting big fields and super close racing. The set up around the event is a fantastic progression on the last 2 editions and will bring a real festival atmosphere with so much to keep all ages and whole families entertained.”

The Irish Cyclo-cross season is well and truly underway, and riders have been using recent national events to prepare for the World Cup. 

Curtis McKee has been lighting the Cyclo-cross scene up already this year. Having taken first place in the UCI C2 event in Cross Clonmel a few weeks ago and currently leading the Junior category in the Cyclo-cross National Series, the Spellman-Dublin Port rider is one to watch this weekend. 

Following his win at Round 3 of the Cyclo-cross National Series event in Thurles last weekend, McKee said: 

“Just really looking forward to next weekend. Getting selected for it was a big goal for this season, accomplished that, now it’s just about doing our best on the day.”

Hugh Og Mulhearne will be riding for AS Villemur in France next year, until then the Verge Sport PI Cycles rider will look to finish his year on a positive note. Having already won two elite level cyclo-cross races in Munster CX series, Mulhearne is another to watch this Sunday.

Having already won the Elite race at UCI Cross Clonmel this year as a junior Greta Lawless is on form ahead of the World Cup. She is the current Cross-country Junior National Champion. Lawless is no stranger to wearing the green jersey having recently represented Ireland at World Championships as Junior, as well as representing Ireland in this World Cup event last year. 

Under 16 Road Race National Champion Aoife O’Donovan recently won Men’s B race at Munster Cyclo-cross series in Clonmel after starting from the back, so should be another to keep an eye on.  

Another rider who is no stranger to wearing green and is showing great form this season is Caoimhe May. She will be riding in the Women’s Elite (including Women’s Under 23) race for the second consecutive year. The reigning 2022 and 2023 Cross-country National Champion has shown great form recently and is keen to impress in front of the home crowd. 

Siblings Doireann and Tadhg Killeen will both be among the Irish contingent on Sunday. The pair recently claimed victory in their respective races at the Belmont Demense Cyclo-cross GP. Adding to this Tadhg recently beat Olympian Robyn Seymour in a sprint finish at the first round of the Cyclo-cross National Series, before taking a podium at the UCI Cross Clonmel event.

Trinity Racing rider and back-to-back elite National Champion Dean Harvey will race in the Under 23 Men’s race on Sunday. Having won the most recent round of the National Series, and being no stranger to top level racing with his trade team, Harvey is sure to light up the course. Following his National Series win last weekend, Harvey said he was :

“Feeling good and the form is building well for the World Cup in Dublin next week. Most of the hard work is done for that now, just need to focus on recovering right and come in in good shape next weekend.”

Travis Harkness will look to add another UCI podium to his 2024 tally following a very strong performance at UCI C2 race Cross Clonmel recently.

In the elite race, domestic racing stalwart Richard Barry will be hoping to add another UCI podium to his tally this season, after securing his first at Cross Clonmel earlier in the year. He will be joined by recent Youghal CX winner Paul O’Reilly, Ronan O’Flynn, Timothy O’Regan, and current Criterium National Champion Darnell Moore.

Fanzone

The World Cup promises fun for all the family. Cycling Ireland will host a participation and a skills zone for youth riders to take part and enjoy the cyclo-cross experience in a fun and safe environment. 

The fanzone will include excellent viewing of the course, including big screens so you won’t miss any of the action. It will also include a range of food and drink venders. For anyone looking to get some Christmas shopping done and just looking to pick up a treat for themselves there will be plenty of exhibitors to choose from, including Cycleways, Big Bobble Hats, Decathalon and Scott. 

Parking 

On Saturday, parking is available is at the Conference Centre on the Sport Ireland Campus. Overflow parking is available at the IRFU beside the indoor arena. Please only park in designated car park. 

On Sunday, parking is available at the M3 Parkway. A shuttle service will take you to and from the course. Parking for those with health conditions or impairments is available on the Sport Ireland Campus.

Tickets

Tickets are €20 per person when purchased online in advance of Sunday. 

Tickets are available for €25 on the gate on Sunday. 

Children go free. 

Click here to buy tickets. 

Schedule

Saturday, 30th of November 

09:00 – Registration open for U6, U8, U10 and U12

10:00 – Under 6s

10:15 – Under 8s

10:30 – Under 10s

10:50 – Under 12s

10:30 – Registration opens for the Under 14, Under 16 and Support races

11:30 – Main course open for practice

11:50 – Call up for Under 14s and Under 16s

12:00 – Under 16 boys race start

Under 14 boys race start

Under 16 girls race start

Under 14 girls race start

12:40 – Prize giving for U14s and U16s

12:45 – Call up for Support races

12:55 – Senior race start

Junior race start

Masters 40 race start

Masters 50 race start

Master 60 race start

Women (and Junior women) race start

13:45 – Prize giving for support races

14:00 – Official training for UCI Juniors and Elite riders

Sunday, 1st of December 

09:00 – Men Under 19

10:00 – Women Under 19

11:30 – Men Under 23

13:10 – Women Elite

14:40 – Men Elite