Dedicated to an Irish pioneer of the sport, the Shay Elliott Memorial is a race every rider wants to win and is down for decision in Co Wicklow tomorrow
It’s a race that has gained infamy for its gruelling nature and length and that's why the Shay Elliott Memorial in Co Wicklow remains one of Ireland’s best-loved one-day classics.
To win the Elliott would not alone make a rider’s season but could well make a rider’s career and tomorrow’s edition of the race is expected to be as closely contested as anything that has gone before.
And for any rider with designs on making an impact on next week’s An Post Rás, tomorrow represents a final racing chance to fine-tune form. In total, the race is 140 kilometres and predicting a winner is nigh on impossible.
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However, Philip Lavery is the defending champion and he took an emotional win last year riding for the Node4Giordana team. He has since relocated to France with the AC Bisontine team but it is expected he’ll be on the start-line tomorrow and, if so, will be one of the men to beat.
However, IG Sigma Sport’s Peter Hawkins will definitely be there also likely have a big say as to how the race unfolds. Many of the riders that might normally be expected to animate the race are away.
Damian Shaw is absent as he’s at a training camp; Paidi O’Brien and recently upgraded A1 Barry Meade will also be away; there’s a strong Connacht team heading for the Lincoln GP featuring Charlie Prendergast, Paddy Clarke, Nigel Forde, Mike Ryder and Ciaran Clarke; the likes of Ryan Mullen, Aaron Buggle, Connor McConvey and David McCann are all doing the same race and won't be around; Ryan Sherlock has just returned from Azerbaijan, as has Mark Dowling, so it’s fair to say the race is wide open.
Former winner Timmy Barry (2012) and David Peelo (2001) are expected to be on the start line but Greg Swinand could be a man to keep an eye on while Conor Murphy, if he can reproduce the form he showed in the Des Hanlon, will be a hard man to beat. Recently-crowned Tour of Ulster winner Joe Fenlon is another who can’t be discounted while Javan Nulty and Cormac Clarke will both fancy their chances.
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With a total elevation gain of almost a kilometre and a maximum gain of 383 metres (Glenmalure, with just 30 kilometres to go), this is where the race-winning move could go.
Race headquarters and sign on will be at Bray Wheelers club house on Schools Road in Bray and that'll will be open from 9am-10.30am (no pre entry, sign on fee €10.00) with the race leaving the clubhouse at 11am for a rolling start on the N11.
The Co-Sponsors of this unique event are Sinnott Autos and Hollingsworth Cycles with the three winners of the various categories getting a jersey supplied by Base. There are prizes for the first ten across the line and the first eight in the A2 category on the line at ‘Slaughter Hill.
On that note, there are TWO notable changes in the route from last year’s race.
The first, between Annamore and Ashford, riders will now be turning left at Tomriland cross, and continue to Weston Gates T junction, taking a right turn at Weston Gates, over the filter beds, up the hill towards Ballyduff cross before continuing on straight through Ballyduff and into Ashford where it meets the road again and continues on as per usual. The second, and more important, change is at the finish.
This year will see the race finish at Newtownmountkennedy on the approach to the appropriately named Slaughter Hill. After leaving the N11 for Newtownmountkennedy, continue on to Newtown Business and Enterprise Centre, taking a left turn at the Enterprise centre, the finish is approx 500 metres after the turn.
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