Mayo has been a stunning backdrop for the race for a near decade, but Co Clare holds its charms too (Photo: Stephen McMahon)
The Junior Tour of Ireland has bucked the difficult economic climate to secure a new title sponsor, and is also relocating from its Co Mayo base of the past eight years to what it hopes will be pastures greener in nearby Co Clare.
The new sponsor is homewares retailer www.thewarehouse.ie, which is owned by Co Clare businessman and well known sports patron Martin Donnelly. The race has had a number of backers in recent years but last had a title sponsor when Donnelly supported it under his own name four years ago and it became the M Donnelly Junior Tour.
However, the race and its long-term sponsors are remaining loyal to each other, with the U18 event again being able to count on the support of the Irish Veteran Cyclists’ Association, Stena Line and Cycling Ireland for the six-stage event which starts on July 2nd.
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Race organiser Alice Sherratt of the Irish Road Club said she was confident the changes for this year would add to the event.
“The Junior Tour represents the biggest opportunity young Irish cyclists will get to compete against some of the best junior cyclists from the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States, the Netherlands and Belgium. For many it will dictate whether they decide to pursue cycling with the aim of going professional.”
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“We are delighted to be able to bring the longest international junior stage race in the world to Co Clare and look forward to working with event supporters Clare County Council, Shannon Sports and Conference Bureau and Clare Sports Partnership in the coming weeks and months.”
Each of this year’s stages will start in Ennis with two finishing elsewhere in Co Clare. Full details regarding the routes will be announced at the race’s official 2013 launch in Co Clare on March 19th. It will be attended by former world number 1 and event patron Sean Kelly.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr Pat Daly said he was delighted to welcome the race to the region.
“Clare has hosted some large cycling events in recent years including the Tour de Burren and Etape Hibernia, which has helped the growth of sports-based tourism in the county. The sport itself has witnessed a huge increase in participants locally, and Clare has a number of thriving cycling clubs including Banner Wheelers, Dolmen, West Clare, Burren and Clare Crusaders. Clare County Council and the other event supporters look forward to welcoming competitors from all over the globe to the county this July.”
For more visit www.juniortourofireland.com and we’ll keep you posted with any new developments here on stickybottle.
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