Just days on from the Government announcing sport could return in the Republic much earlier than had been expected, Cycling Ireland is working on plans to bring forward the return of cycling activities.
While a full return of activities in the shape of racing,
sportives and group cycling was not expected until August 10th, that now looks
set to be brought forward by a number of weeks.
Stickybottle understands Cycling Ireland is working on plans that would see activities return next month and that the national governing body’s plan will be unveiled within days.
A revised calendar was still being formulated and it was further understood while the resumption of events will be brought forward, there are still plans to continue the season later than normal.
This would allow for events to be held into October, thus
extending the season in a bid to make up for the loss of racing and sportives
when those activities were suspended back in March due to the Covid19
lock-down.
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To date in the lock-down period, Cycling Ireland has published
a number of road maps for the return of cycling, which were based on the
Government’s plans to ease the Covid19 lock-down restrictions.
Initially the easing of restrictions was planned over
five phases, with Phase 5 due to start on August 10th. And it was in that phase
that a full return of cycling activities was planned.
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However, the Government has reduced that to four phases and
last week it announced sports could return from June 29th; under set conditions
and with some restrictions and precautions in place.
Cyclists have been waiting since that announcement last
Friday to see how it will impact our sport.
Now stickybottle understands that impact will be very positive in bringing forward to next month the return of racing and other activities.
Cycling Ireland’s announcement will be made by the end of this week and a new calendar of events was also anticipated within days.
That would mean the National Road Championships are very
likely to go ahead this year, in August, and that events like Rás na mBan and
Rás Tailteann would also have the best chance possible of going ahead.
It would also mean the season could be in full flight
again in a matter of weeks and that it would continue into October, allowing
for about three months of events.
However, confirmation is awaited with the imminent
publication of Cycling Ireland’s new accelerated plans.
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