The National Hill Climb Championships are always the last big fixture of the domestic road racing scene and this year's late season will be no different, with the Irish title set to be decided two weeks from now, on October 8th.
Last year Darren Rafferty (Hagens Berman Axeon) and Linda Kelly (Spin the Bean Power by Coffee) struck gold in Dungannon, Co Tyrone - when the title race was promoted by Island Wheelers CC. This time around the climb is 1.54km, and the ramp that will decide the 2023 championships has pitches above 14 per cent just over halfway through the course.
Abbeyfeale CC have stepped up to promoted the championships in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. The climb they have chosen, just outside the town, averages eight per cent. The fastest time in Strava is held by UCD Cycling Club rider Jordan Luke, at 4:28.
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However, with a national title on the line on Sunday fortnight - and some of the best hill climb racers in the business set to descend on Abbeyfeale - Luke's Strava KOM may come under pressure on the day.
There are a number of categories for which gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded, including a combined junior and senior men's title race and a separate race for women, with juniors, seniors and masters all combined. There are also separate categories for Masters 40, 50 and 60 men.
There is also an additional non-championship category for riders who do not hold an Irish UCI nationality. All riders' times will be recorded by chip timing, with the event commencing at 10am and race HQ situated at Winners Circle Bar, Abbeyfeale. You can enter by following this link.
