After a hectic season around the world, topped with a 735 miles non-stop record at home, the 500 mile world title has been the crowning glory of the 2017 season for former professional road racer Joe Barr (58).
Joe Barr is Ultra Marathon Cycling Association champ
Irish endurance cyclist Joe Barr has been crowned 500 mile world champion for 2017. The title has been bestowed on him by the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA).
Now aged 58 years and showing no signs of slowing, it is Barr’s first world title in a cycling career spanning over four decades.
The UMCA championships are calculated on an accumulation of distance and time during a calendar year.
In the 500-mile category, which Barr has won, riders must have raced a minimum of two UMCA World races on two different continents.
One Ultra Marathon Cycling Association ratified point-to-point distance record can also be submitted as an additional event.
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In Barr’s case this year he won his age category in two 500-mile races in the shape of Race Across Italy and Sliverstate 508 in the US.
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Closer to home, Barr also attempted the Malin Head-Mizen Head-Malin Head record in July.
Unfortunately he did not succeed in setting a new record for the 735 mile event.
However, he went back in November and despite the cold, wind and rain he prevailed.
The former pro road racer set a time of 48 hours 40 mins. As a result he beat his own previous record, set in 2015, by 21 minutes.
At 735 miles nonstop; the route took Joe Barr from Malin Head all the way down the country to Mizen Head.
He then turned and went all the way back up the country again. He finished at Malin Head early on the morning of November 5th.
New sponsor for Team Joe Barr
Barr has also been boosted of late with news that Northern Ireland builders Taggart Homes have come on board as his title sponsor.
Furthermore, he retains the long-standing support of BRL Sports Nutrition, MiM Installations and Powerhouse Clothing.
Born in Dublin, Joe Barr was brought up in Donegal and currently lives in Eglinton, Co Derry.
He is father to two boys; Reuben aged 10 years and Ross aged 7 years.
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