Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. most people will never have heard of it but on a sun splitting day Ireland's master riders and their boisterous supporters have made it an extension of the emerald isle. Irish eyes are smiling in Kranjska Gora tonight as Ireland's DH riders celebrate a double in the European Masters championships.

Rostrevor's Maeve Baxter took the gold medal in the Ladies Master class to add to her World Masters silver in 2008. and she won it in some style with one of the biggest cheers of the day when she crossed the line. the Irish riders were out in force in the various mens categories and they all did Irish DH and cycling proud with their commitment and results. it was however chain reaction cycles' Michael Cowan who shone the brightest on a great day for the Irish men's riders. after a superb 3rd place in seeding Michael stepped on the gas on his race run and was pipped to the gold medal by less than a second .a few more pedal strokes Michael! it was a fantastic result when you look at the level of opposition and whilst Maeve and Michael can deservedly bask in the glory of their superb results all the riders deserve congrats. the very vocal Irish supporters turned this venue into a little Ireland for an afternoon and the atmosphere was pure magic.

It was also great to see Michael Concannon, president of Cycling Ireland and board member of the European Cycling Federation playing a lead role in the whole event and the finishing touch to the day was Michael presenting the awards to both Maeve Baxter and Michael Cowan. It was a memorable moment for Cycling Ireland and Irish DH in particular. Roll on tomorrow and it's the turn of the elite and junior riders and they will no doubt give their all and try and emulate their elder colleagues.


Downhill European Championships Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Elite men
1. Nick Beer (SUI)
2. Aurelion Giordanengo (FRA)
3. Remi Thirion (FRA)

Irish
29. Gerard Wolfe
43. Ewan Doherty
58. Scott Laughland
63. Daniel Wolfe
113. Ben Reid


Junior men:
1. Bernard Kerr (GBR)
2. Iago Garay Tamayo (ESP)
3. Ivan Oziol (FRA)

Irish
14. Davy Graham
16. Greg Callaghan


Other Masters Results

50+:
6. Tom Sherridan

40-44:
5. Colin Finley

35-39:
6. Ian McIntyre
8. Joe Ward
12. Darren Cox

30-34:
2. Michael Cowan
16. Damo Duggan
25. Sean Herlihy

Womens:
1. Meave Baxter