During the 2023 season I struggled a good bit whether it a punctures or crash’ but I learned some valuable lessons that would help me in the future. The first Downhill race of the 2023 season was carrick in Wicklow. This track is known for being rough and technical. I had a good practice and seeding day on Saturday and managed to place 2nd with getting stuck behind someone. Then came Sunday I was really enjoying the track and had lots of fun and I was so happy to place 1st In my race run. This showed me that all of the work that I completed over the 2022 off season was paying off and I was stoked. 

 

The next race that I completed was round 2 of the vitus gravity enduro series in djouce. I really enjoyed doing some of the enduro races and it helps keep my fitness up and I get to ride some amazing new tracks. I had a great time and finished up on the day in 4th place which I was pretty happy with considering there were some really fast lads in my category. Soon came around the race that I was looking most forward to all season which was the downhill national champs in my home grounds the GAP. I allways enjoy the downhill races at the gap as the gap crew always makes an amazing racetrack. During practice the track was perfect and I was trying to find some creative and fast lines up at the top rock section. I had a good seeding run other then catching someone halfway down the track. I was happy to place 1st and be the last man in my category to drop down. On Sunday, race day it was the worst weather I have ever experienced while riding it was lashing rain for the whole day and didn’t stop at all, this had a big affect on the track and lots changed. I had some really good practice runs and then went up for my race run. During my race run I nailed all my lines up in the top and middle section but when I came very close to the finish line I caught a hole that wasn’t there in my last practice run and crashed. I was not happy and I knew I was on a heater and even with crashing I placed 2nd, 3 seconds back form first place.After that weekend I regathered myself and started focusing on the next race coming up which was  shernoby farm in Kerry, it was a really good venue and had lots of fun in the end I placed 3rd which meant the overall all came down to bree. Bree was another venue that I really enjoyed I had a really good practice day and I placed 1st in seeding this set me up with lots of confidence for race day. During race day I tried to brush all the pressure off my shoulders and focus on my run I was so happy to claim 1st place and to take the u14 overall series win. I had a great season and I hope to put some more work in for next season and try and stay in contention for a podium. 

 

My plans for the future are to head over to Scotland to race a BDS in AE forest, and to hopefully keep riding my bike to my best ability while still trying to have the most fun as I can. And I hope one day I can make it to the World Cup scene and try to make a living out of downhill racing.