The Junior Tour of Ireland moves up a notch this year, with more climbing than before to test the international field. Above, first yellow jersey from last year and eventual overall runner-up Mark Downy leads a decisive escape from eventual winner Eddie Dunbar, in polka dot jersey before assuming the race lead.
By Brian Canty
The route for this year’s International Junior Tour of Ireland has been announced, with some of the best first and second year juniors in the world set to convene on Co Clare next month for the six-day race.
The event will once again be headquartered in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis, Co Clare. The field will cover 523 kilometres over some of the hardest climbs most scenic roads the country has to offer.
The race, from July 15th-20th, will again be a largely international field with teams expected to come from as far away as South Africa and the US, as well as the UK.
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Last year it was Irishman Eddie Dunbar who took the honours by 2½ minutes while another Irishman who pushed him closest, Mark Downey of the Nicolas Roche Performance Team coming home 2nd overall.
Both riders will be back to challenge once again and Dunbar is expected to spearhead the Stena Ireland National Team. The identities of those who will join him have not yet been confirmed though around a dozen are in contention.
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Three of the stages will start and finish in Ennis with the remaining three finishing in Ennistymon, Whitegate and once again the summit finish of Gallows Hill.
The race will feature three category one climbs, one more than last year; Corkscrew Hill on stage 3, Castle Hill the same day and Gallows Hill on the penultimate day.
There are six category 2 climbs, two more than last year; Fanore on stage 2, a trio on stage 4 at Scarriff, Maghera and Kilnabarnan while there will be two more the following day at Sallybank and the Windy Gap.
Junior Tour of Ireland 2014 Route Details
- Stage 1: Individual Time Trial, 6.2km Ennis - Drumquin
- Stage 2: 116km - Ennis - Ennistymon - Lahinch - Cliffs of Moher Category 2 - Fanore - Black Head - Ballyvaughan - The Burren Category 3 - Kinaboy - Corrofin - Ennis
- Stage 3: 123km - Ennis - Crusheen - Gort - Kinvara - Carron Category 3- Ballyvaughan - Corkscrew Hill Category 1 - Lisdoonvarna - Doolin - Castle Hill Category 1 - Cliffs of Moher Category 3 - Liscannor - Lahinch - Ennistimon
- Stage 4: 118km - Mountshannon - Scarriff - Category 2 - Caher - Killaneana - Maghera Category 2 - Feakle - Bodyke - Tuamgraney - Ogonnelloe - Kilnabarnan Category 2 - Tuamgraney - Scarriff - Mountshannon - Whitegate
- Stage 5: 101km - Ennis - Barefield - Crusheen - Killaneana - Kilcarron - O'Callaghans Mills - Broadford - Sallybank Category 2 - Truagh - Meelick - Windy Gap Category 2 - Sixmilebridge - Cratloe - Gallows Hill Category 1
- Stage 6: 70km Circuit race. 7 laps of 10km circuit - Ennis - Ballyhea - Kildysart Road - Clonroadbeg - Ennis.
Entries are now being taken and all stage details are available at Juniortourofireland.com.
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