Dean Harvey and Maria Larkin land cyclocross national titles

Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) delivered a masterclass on the mud to be crowned elite national cyclocross champion for the first time on the McCrystal Track in Jenkinstown, Dundalk this afternoon.

The 19-year from Belfast is one of the brightest prospects on the domestic scene and lived up to his reputation by crushing the strongest ever field assembled for the title race.

He's been the form rider this winter, winning all four rounds of the national series, and he ended the domestic season in stunning fashion today with a gun to tape win over the brutal course.

"I´m very pleased, it's been a good cyclocross season," said last year´s Shay Elliott Memorial winner.

"I had a good bit of pressure coming in today but I handled it well, and with the conditions as well it was a tricky race but very little went wrong."

A deluge of hail prior to the start and heavy rain throughout did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm as he attacked at the drop of the flag, surged clear, and was never passed again over the one-hour contest.

Last year´s silver medallist Sean Nolan (Navan RC) briefly gave chase but thought better of trying to go with the irrepressible Harvey and slid back the field, finishing outside the medals.

Of the challengers, U23 riding star Darren Rafferty from Coalisland, Tyrone, looked best-placed to take the fight to Harvey and he hovered around 30 seconds back for around three laps before succumbing to the strain of that concerted effort.

"I knew Darren would be there, at least for the start," continued Harvey. "I just started pretty fast, kept it controlled and rode a good pace for a couple of laps and the gap went out. I kept doing what I was doing and focused on not making any mistakes."

Defending champion Chris Dawson (Dawson