The Irish road racing scene is packed with arguably too many races at the start of the season, with much fewer events in the summer. But a Cycling Ireland official says it’s down to promoting clubs' need to make money from race entries (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
Cycling Ireland events coordinating officer Garry Nugent has said the reason there is such a logjam of races in the early part of the season is because of the promoting clubs, not the federation.
Much debate has been generated about why the racing season gets underway so early, with this year’s road season due to begin this Sunday, February 14th.
Many feel a longer season would not only shorten the winter but would also rule out the possibility of big races clashing with one another.
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In the early weeks of the coming season, for example, events like the Cycleways Cup in Meath and Lacey Cup in Kerry take place on the same day.
Another early-season clash sees the Des Hanlon Memorial in Carlow scheduled to take place the same day as the Donal Crowley Memorial in Cork.
That situation had never arisen previously.
“The clubs are applying for the dates at the start of the season because that’s the only time of the year you’re guaranteed full fields," said Nugent.
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"And a full field is the difference between breaking even and losing money.
“That’s my opinion, that’s not the opinion of Cycling Ireland but that’s just the way it is.
“It’s just down to money; you’re guaranteed a full field if you host a race at the beginning of the year.
“You don’t make money running bike races but if you run them towards the end of the season you run the risk of losing money.
“People go on holidays in the summer so once you lose that two weeks (of training and racing) your season is gone.”
Meanwhile, the National road series is to undergo a slight restructuring for this year.
In 2015 the series was a huge success where four races were held in each of the four provinces and the winner was determined with the highest accumulated points, provided he satisfied all the criteria along the way.
However, the number of races in the series this year is to be reduced to 12, with those races that make up the series due to be announced in the coming fortnight.
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