Philip Lavery – leading – on his way to the silver medal at the 2013 Elite National Road Race Championships, which are set for Dublin this time around (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Considered by many as the best and most iconic venue in the court for cycling, Dublin’s Phoenix Park will be the base for this year’s National Road Race and TT Championships.
The venue has been selected to be the start and finish point for the events after Orwell Wheelers suggested it when it applied to host the championships after no promoting club in Munster – which was due to hold the championships this year – could be found.
The championships will be staged from June 23rd to 26th and will include the elite men’s and women’s as well as the U23 time trial title races on Thursday, June 23rd.
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There will then follow the masters road races, elite women’s road races and the combined U23 and elite men’s road races.
No information has been supplied around what course would be used.
However, the circuit on which the Jack Woodcock Memorial was held for years would suit strong riders, with a drag each lap that would split the field to pieces.
The races may also exit the park, with only the start and finish located there, as appears likely.
President of Orwell Wheelers Denis Gleeson said: “It is a great honour for our club to be chosen to host the 2016 National Road Championships, particularly since it will be based in our heartland of Dublin City and the Phoenix Park.
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"Our club, while only founded in 1948, boasts of having one of the first English speaking winners of the Tour de France.
"We have produced many national champions, a number of whom are still active members, and we are proud to be one of the largest and most active cycling clubs in the country.
"Come June we hope to see many of our racing friends from around the country and those travelling from abroad. We want this to be a special event. Safe journey.”
Orwell Wheelers race director and event organiser Stephen O’Shea added: “I raced in the past in the Phoenix Park and loved the atmosphere associated with this unique location.
"I am honoured by my club Orwell Wheelers to represent them as their race organiser. Taking up the task of putting together a spectacular Championships this year will be challenging.
"However, I am comforted knowing that the club’s many members are supportive of the event and I thank them in advance.
"I wish to thank Ciaran McKenna, President of Cycling Ireland, for his commitment over the last few difficult months and in the coming weeks ahead.
"The OPW park officials have been most helpful and are satisfied with the progress to date. So all going well see you all in the Park in June.”
The national championships are hosted on a rotating basis in the four provinces. The title races were due to be promoted in Munster this year, with Clonmel CC having successfully applied to promote them.
However, while the club was widely praised for a fantastic promotion when it ran the championships back in 2012, this time around its plans ran into financial problems – perhaps not surprising considering the financial climate.
And when it was forced to withdraw, Cycling Ireland once again offered the championships out to the clubs of Munster.
However, when that search proved fruitless, the championships were opened to all clubs, with Orwell now having secured the events for Dublin.
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