Marine Lenehan and Conn McDunphy won the elite titles at the 2026 Irish Gravel National Championships on Saturday 17 October 2026. The race was held at Ballinaboola Trail Head in County Cork and promoted by De Ronde Van Cork Cycling Club.
Twenty-nine-year-old McDunphy (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery), this year’s Rás Tailteann winner, claimed the elite men’s title in 02:28:51 after rarely being challenged. Sixteen-year-old junior standout Conor Regan (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospatial) took silver, finishing 6 minutes 23 seconds behind. Lindsay Watson (Caldwell Powerhouse Racing) placed third, 10 minutes 9 seconds back.
The women’s race came down to two riders. Twenty-eight-year-old Lidl-Trek rider Lenehan, a 2024 amateur Gravel World Champion, won in 02:05:07 on her return from racing in China. Defending champion Gabrielle Fox (Équipe Dynamiks Féminine), recently returned from the Gravel Worlds in Australia, finished 59 seconds behind. Doireann Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospatial) took bronze, 27 minutes 54 seconds back.
The Masters age categories also competed for coveted shamrock green and white Irish national champion jerseys:
M40: Ronan Killeen (Lucan Cycling Road Club) won in 02:00:59, finishing 2 minutes 35 seconds ahead of Marcus Flavin (Dungarvan CC).
M50: Richard McCauley (Bray Wheelers) won in 02:00:54, finishing 5 minutes 55 seconds ahead of Fearghal Regan (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospatial).
M60: Christopher McCann (Inspired Cycling) won in 02:25:41, just 6 seconds ahead of Dominick Hegarty (IMBRC).
View 2026 Irish Gravel Championships results HERE
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