It wasn’t meant to be for Ireland this year to qualify for the main event but it wasn’t for the lack of trying. All three riders rode their hearts out in the B final but with none of them getting out of the start at top five and Barr going down on the first corner, it was always an uphill task.
The depth of the B final this year could have been the most stacked it has ever been. MX2 GP talent, Karlis Reisulis won before finishing second overall in the MX2 class(!). Isak Gifting finished second in the race after crashing out of the lead and GP calibre of riders were battling just to get in the top ten.
Jason Meara rode great to finish seventh, passing GP rider, Emil Weckman on the final corner. Martin Barr had strong pace coming up through the field ending up twelfth with a couple of crashes.
Unfortunately, McCullough had a crash otherwise a top fifteen result was possible – he ended up coming home in twenty fourth with GP rider, Sampo Rainio just ahead of him.
The management team posted the following messages on social media reflecting on the event.
Mark Mooney (team manager):
MXoN 2024 Matterley Basin saw some of the best racing ever witnessed at this event for nearly 20 years.
The main races on Sunday had a stacked field with some very big names struggling to make it to the top 10 /15 in all races . The pace being set is at the highest level and is truly staggering.
Team Australia won the event for the first time ever with Solid rides in all 3 races. Team Ireland did manage to reach the B final finishing in 4th place . Unfortunately only one Team gets through here to the main races.
Congratulations to Team Latvia for winning the B final, there was some controversy around the decision as three countries ahead of us in the standings jumped on a waved yellow flag in Turn Two with two laps to go.
When I saw this I immediately proceeded to make an official protest to the FIM as anyone jumping on a waved yellow automatically gets docked 2 positions, Provided there is evidence. All protests must be in writing and must be submitted within 30 minutes of the race ending.
After submitting all the information along with video footage the FIM rejected the claim even though Team Sweden and Team New Zealand also protested. They claimed the video footage was not clear enough.
In the end it was not meant to be for us. The amount of effort work and planning required to compete at this event is huge. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved but particular mention to the following: Martin Barr, Jason Meara, Cole McCullough, Philip McCullough. All 3 riders couldn’t have given any more, everything was left on the track. To my support Team and Sponsors I will be forever grateful . I am 100 % sure no one was left wanting for anything.
Cailum Meara (assistant team manager):
MXON 2024 done and dusted!
The boys left it all on track, the level of everything is rising and Ireland as a country is being left behind starting from our federation and the people above. Now is the time to sit down and get our premier riders the support they need to be in the GP paddock more than this one race a year.
I’m happy to finally get a bit of time to myself after the last 4/5 months of my life has been dominated by getting ready for this event, I just wish everyone on the outside could really see what it takes to send a team here.
Anyone who thinks they could do the job please feel free to come forward, so many of the keyboard warriors kicking up they’re expertise already without knowing the entire story of what it takes from everyone in the months leading up to this event.
Time for a well deserved rest!
