Riders like Paidi O'Brien - seen here winning in Carrick last year - and a host of other strong men and strong teams would essentially be forced into national competition with each other more often under plans for the new National Classic League (Photo: www.blackumbrella.ie)
Cycling Ireland is to re-launch the National Classic League within weeks in a bid to avoid the post Rás dip in the racing calendar and to force the bigger teams to race against each other more consistently throughout the year.
The board of the federation met on Friday and agreed to go ahead with the plan in time for the new season which starts in just two weeks.
Details have not yet been announced but stickybottle understands the working plan within the federation is to have a league of six races, made up of existing fixtures on the calendar.
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Some of those races being considered include, among others, the Shay Elliott Memorial in Co Wicklow, Des Hanlon Memorial in Co Carlow and the Visit Nenagh Classic in Co Tipperary.
However, the need to spread the races in the league through the year and to also bring the series to different regions of the country will influence what events are included.
No new races will need to be run, meaning the plan can be put in place quickly. And because the first event will not be held until racing is well underway in the new season, the federation still has time to put the plan in place for this year.
The league will essentially brand at least six existing events into a series of races, with prizes in each and overall prizes for the final league standings.
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It is hoped the draw of a high finish in the league and the prestige of winning individual and team prizes will see the best teams and riders in the country meeting more often, rather than racing most of the season in their own regions.
Introducing a system whereby a race in the league would be the only fixture for A1 and A2 riders on that day has been mooted to essentially force stronger teams and riders to race against each other through the year.
However, it is unclear at this stage if that idea will form part of the final plan.
In a bid to avoid riders capitalising on their form in the run up to the Rás or the weeks immediately after it, a plan is being explored to weight the point scoring system in favour of races that will be held in the latter months of the season, which has traditionally seen a drop off in fields in recent years.
Stickybottle understands the plan to weight the scoring system in that way is expected to come to pass.
A corporate sponsor will be sought and the organisers of the existing races that will be included in the new league will not be required to take on any additional workload or expense.
We'll bring you full details when we have them.
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