On Saturday, Ronan Dunne earned the highest ever World cup achievement for Ireland on mountain biking, claiming fourth place in the 2024 UCI downhill series. Riding for Mondrager Factory Racing, Dunne approached the final round at Canada’s Mount Saint Anne in 3rd place, having previously stated his aim to secure a position in the top five. He had achieved 12th place the prior year, marking the all-time best performance for Ireland in the competition until his current show.
“I’ve had an exceptional season,” Dunne commented after the Saturday race. “I’m exceedingly pleased with my fourth place overall. Approaching the final World Cup, I was rather anxious, with my position in third place. My ambition was a top five finish, which can be easily missed.
“Finishing fourth was certainly like a dream coming true. The race progressed quite well. I secured fifth place in qualifying and experienced a minor setback during my final run, still, I managed to secure a place in the top 10. That awarded me enough points to place fourth overall.”
In the concluding round on Saturday, the Red Bull-sponsored rider came in 10th, with Henry Kerr (Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli) being the top Irish rider, securing eighth place. Dunne had earlier been victorious in the Poland round in May.
“I was fairly anxious approaching the competition,” he noted. “It’s a relief now that it’s over and we have a six-month break before the big season next year. I am tremendously pleased with my performance, it’s been like a dream coming true really.”
In other news, Marine Lenehan delivered a remarkable performance at the gravel world championships, claiming victory in the amateur 19-34 years race on Saturday.