Enduro bikers set to try tame Carrick Mountain

THE Emerald Enduro is bringing some of the world’s top mountain biking talent to Co Wicklow this weekend.

Excitement is building ahead of round four of world series, which takes place on Carrick Mountain in Glenealy this Sunday, May 28.

High octane and exciting, the enduro is like a rally on a bike, with riders facing four to seven hours of times downhill stages on the bike. They must complete the course within a time limit and the fastest finisher on the timed special stages is deemed the winner.

Dubliner Greg Callaghan has won the event for the past two years and, as the current series table-topper, hopes are high for another top performance for the Irishman.

Spectators are more than welcome at the Enduro and the hub of the action is the event village where there will be food venders, team pits, the central stage area, commentary, finish line and podium.

With six stages across a variety of terrains for the riders to tackle, organisers have laid out a course that is very easy for spectators to navigate in order to get the best views of the action.

From the expo and race village, there are two easyto-follow walking routes – a basic route that stays close to the event village and a more energetic route that will take people further up the mountain and into the thick of the action.

As all the stages are on one side of the mountain, it allows for easy access between stages and means people can see the riders multiple times.

Each rider will head off individually on Sunday morning, with the first of the 400 riders leaving at 8 a.m. and the final professional, Greg Callaghan, due to begin stage one shortly before 1 p.m.

A large contingent of Irish riders, both amateurs and professionals will take to the mountain this weekend.

Along with Greg Callaghan, there will be Dan Wolfe, who had some amazing stage results last year and in the Under 21s Greg’s cousin Killian Callaghan will be hoping to impress. Leah Maunsell has two victories in 2015 and 2016 to her name and will be hoping to give the spectators something to shout about.

Entry to the Enduro is €5 for adults while Under-12s are free. This can be paid at the gate (cash only).

There will be ample parking within easy access to Glenealy village. The car park will be located at the expo and race village site.