The Gorey Three Day is set to return this year, after being cancelled last season, but several significant changes are being made. The event will be open to a greater number of riders and the women’s category, which was run as part of the main race but with very large handicaps, will become a standalone event.
That move to separate out the women's race, and give those riders a race of their own, seems like a good idea. The format of recent years - with significant handicaps for women - led to a somewhat muddled event, for male and female riders alike.
The changes made for next season have come about after "constructive discussions" between the race promoters - who are led by race director Derek Webb - and Cycling Ireland.
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Last year the organisers closed the entry system on March 28th, just over three weeks before the race was due to be promoted in Co Wexford. However, when the numbers were not what was hoped for by that late March deadline, the decision was taken to pull the plug and cancel the event.
For next year, it is hoped the fact the men's and women's races will be completely separate can help secure the future of both events. The broader range of categories catered for will also hopefully attract more riders.
This time around, the event will be open to C2 and C3 riders, as well as all junior riders and those in the Masters 40, Masters 50 and Masters 60 categories.
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The standalone women's race will be run on the same weekend - the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend - and will involve three stages over two days of action.
“We’ve listened to riders and clubs,” the race organisers said in a statement. “The message is that there’s still huge appetite for a well-run Easter stage race, and also huge appetite for meaningful women’s racing (and) 2026 is about delivering both.
“The Gorey has always been about opportunity – for young riders to test themselves, for experienced riders to measure themselves, and for clubs to race a true stage race.
“By opening the door to C2, C3, juniors and masters we’re protecting that spirit and making sure we see a full, competitive field on the roads again at Easter 2026.
"Further details on route, entry, and scheduling for the women’s race will follow once finalised, but the intention is clear: the Gorey weekend will become a platform for both male and female riders to race proper stages in front of proper crowds."
On the weekend of racing, in general, the organisers added: “Work is already underway on stages, logistics, accommodation coordination, and volunteer planning. Full technical details including routes, stage profiles, sign-on information and entry process will be released in the coming months."
For now, the good news is that the race is back, with event organisers working closely with Cycling Ireland in a bid to ensure there is no repeat of last year’s unfortunate cancelation.
