National governing body Cycling Ireland is to review the format of the National Road Championships. The move comes after the women's race was forced to stop to allow the men pass last Sunday (All photos thanks to Caroline Kerley)

Cycling Ireland review National Championships format

Cycling Ireland has pledged to review the format of the National Road Championships after last weekend’s women’s race was forced to stop.

However, the federation said the organisers, Wexford Cycling, put on a well-run championship weekend. And it has thanked them for it.

But Cycling Ireland president Ciaran McKenna said that did not mean the format of the road championships couldn’t be reviewed.

He described as “an unfortunate occurrence” the combined U23 and elite men’s race catching the women’s event.

The women were on the final lap of the near-20km circuit at the time.

The championships organisers told stickybottle in recent days the women were informed they would need to race faster or be caught.

As the men were getting nearer, the commissaires made the decision to stop the women’s event. They then allowed all of the men and their following vehicles to pass.

The women’s race restarted, with just over 10km remaining. It was eventually won by Lydia Boylan. The Dubliner was retaining her title for a second time.

Boylan (Team WNT) told stickybottle she did not believe the racing pulling in had affected the outcome.

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Ciaran McKenna said the decision to stop the women was taken on safety grounds.

"The details and logistics that led to this occurrence are being reviewed," he said in a statement.

"Cycling Ireland will endeavour to look at the National Championship weekend format. And measures will be taken to ensure that this does not happen in the future."

Cycling Ireland has not specifically said what aspects of the championship would be examined in the format review.

However, it will likely assess the impact of having three Masters races to host on championships weekend.

For many years there had been one event for all over 40s. The three-race format has been a huge success in recent years. But it adds to the pressure for the host club.

Hosting the elite women’s and men’s races on the same course at the same time is also likely to be examined.

McKenna added when races were organised, on open roads, time schedules were agreed with other stakeholders. These included the Garda and local authorities.

Even train time tables had to be factored into the planning process, he said.

And when that preparatory work was being done, plans had to be made off a projected speed range the events should fall within.

“It was an unfortunate situation for the racers, the race commissaires and race organisers to deal with during such a competitive event,” he said of Sunday’s incident.

“But the safe passage of all riders is paramount when a faster group is catching another group from two separate races.

“There are lead vehicles, support cars, motorbikes and, most importantly, riders who need to pass each other safely.

“And due to the nature of the course, the safest course of action was to stop the leading race on the road and let the quickest race pass.”

Thanked Wexford Cycling

He added Cycling Ireland was very thankful to Wexford Wheelers and Wexford Cycling for “hosting a well-run championships.”

Many volunteers had given up their time free of charge, making the championships possible.

They had hosted a total of 14 title races, road and TT, over the three days of competition.

McKenna believed the champions were of top quality and would wear their jerseys with distinction.