COUNTY Limerick will be the place to be on a mountain bike this week when 200 elite riders will join other competitors for the 2025 National Downhill Mountain Bike Championships.
The adrenaline will be flowing at the Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails on July 26 and 27 for first Downhill Championships ever hosted outside of Leinster, marking a major win for both Limerick and the wider Ballyhoura region.
Hosted by Limerick Mountain Biking Club in collaboration with Ballyhoura Trailriders, the event will feature a brand-new race track, built exclusively for the weekend, offering riders a fresh and exhilarating challenge.
200 elite riders are expected to compete, including Ireland’s top-ranked athletes returning from the UCI World Cup circuit.
Racers such as Oisín O’Callaghan (currently ranked 7th in the world), Henry Kerr of Aon Racing World Cup, and Jacob Dickson of MsRacing Mtb World Cup Team will be in attendance straight off the World Cup circuit.
Promising young talent Blaithin Sweeney, of Limerick Mountain Biking Club, will also be racing, fresh off the European scene and aiming for World Cup qualification next year.
The event is open to spectators. The Ballyhoura Coillte Trailhead will be the hub of activity, with live racing on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27, including practice and qualifying sessions, BBQ, and family-friendly amenities
The championships are officially sanctioned by Cycling Ireland and count for UCI points, key to pre-qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
The entries are open for the junior, senior, and women races as well as juvenile, youth, and masters.
