Ireland's first road race with gravel sectors is happening in July. The main event has 11 sectors but there are races for all categories, and all take in gravel. The Galway Classic, dubbed 'Hell of the West' is being organised by Galway Bay Cycling Club.
Ireland’s first road race with gravel sectors has been launched by Galway Bay Cycling Club; the Galway Classic.
Dubbed ‘Hell of the West’ it takes place on Sunday, July 14th, with races for all elite categories.
Based out of Athenry, where the racing starts and finishes, it will be a completely new experience for the home scene.
And the demand for places in all four races is likely to be very high.
The main event, for A1 and A2 riders, is 120km and takes in no fewer than 11 gravel sectors.
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And it promises to be very testing from the start; a 4.8km sector tackled twice, after 22km and 44km.
After those two, at Kilskeagh, are out of the way; there remains nine sectors ranging in length between 700 metres and 3km.
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This is the 5-star 'Arenberg' sector near Abbeyknockmoy; named after the famous Paris Roubaix pavé sector. It’s 2.4km long and very rough.
In total, the main event features 26.9km of gravel. And if that doesn’t soften up the legs, there are also four climbs.
The 2.4km Rye Hill, at three per cent, is tackled twice. And a short sharp 300m ascent at seven per cent, called the Patterberg, is climbed twice.
Race organisers Galway Bay CC have crammed a lot of information into the video and posters below.
Aside from the main event, the A3 race is 90km with seven gravel sectors. And the A4 contest is 60km with two gravel sections.
You can follow the event on Facebook by clicking on this link and also keep abreast of developments on Twitter, right here.
The Strava file for the race route can also be viewed by following this link.
We wish you the very best and well done to Galway Bay CC on what sounds like a great addition to Irish domestic road racing.
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