Damien Shaw salutes victor Tim Barry at last year's Visit Nenagh Classic after the Aquablue duo rode away from the rest of the field in the main event (Photo: Nenagh.ie)
With just days to go to one of the country’s toughest races, the Visit Nenagh Classic, one of Holland’s best amateur teams is set to be on the start-line for the 154 kilometre event.
NWVG Bike4Air is returning to Ireland once again and will no doubt have a big bearing on the outcome. They won the team time-trial last year but were outfoxed by the Aquablue duo of Damian Shaw and eventual winner Timmy Barry in the road race the following day.
As winners of the Dutch club competition in 2012 they’ll come to Ireland with a five-man team, most likely made up of Bram Vermeij, Jos Harms, Sander Iwema, Bert van der Tuuk and one more.
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Meanwhile, in another coup for the race, one of cycling’s best-loved and most well respected faces will be in Nenagh this Saturday and Sunday.
Race commentator and announcer Kees Maas will make his debut in what will be just the third running of the event.
Maas is most well known for his role in speaking with the world’s top professionals on the podium after races and he has been doing that for over 40 years.
He has worked for the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana and he’ll be bringing all his experience to Ireland for what is fast becoming one of the very best one-day races in the country.
Eddie Dumbar winning last year's under card event riding on the Irish national junior team (Photo: Nenagh.ie)
As well as expanding to cater for all adult categories including women and A4 riders, there will be a more difficult climb on the course this Sunday; one that race director Rene Van Dam has likened to something expected in the Tour of Flanders.
Known locally in north Tipperary as the ‘country mile’ Van Dam says it will add a “new dimension to the race”.
“After coming back to Nenagh over the climbs at Portroe, Shallee, Chapel Hill and Coum the race will continue towards Dolla, where the riders will face the country mile.
“After that they’ll race up towards Templederry and then the final climb near Toomevara is the final leg-breaker, before coming back to Nenagh.
“The new country mile added to the circuit gives the Visit Nenagh Classic another ‘Flanders’ dimension and I’ve no doubt it will take some riders by surprise.”
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Since its inception in 2012, the classic has expanded from a one-day cycling race to a two-day family festival, culminating in Sunday’s showpiece 154km ‘A’ race.
Once again the cycling festival kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, with a team time trial on the old N7 between Five Alley and Birdhill.
Last year’s winners, the NWVG Bike 4 Air will try and defend the team test title they won last year thought they’ll face some strong home opposition with UCD CC apparently gunning for the win after some very strong individual and team performances already this season.
The town of Nenagh will be a hive of activity all weekend, with the A4 riders getting the racing under way, followed by the inaugural ladies race.
Those events will be fought out on a new 67km route including extensive use of the old N7, before they descend towards the village of Silvermines, the newly added ‘country mile’ and a 4km climb towards Templederry. And via rolling roads the riders will return to Nenagh for the finish.
The main event will again have a ceremonial roll-out from the town at 11am on Sunday which will be followed by the A3 race.
There will also be an opportunity for families to participate in the family fun cycle; a 45 minute route on refurbished cycle paths around the town.
Over 200 cyclists took part in the Family Fun Cycle in 2013 and efforts are being made to increase that this year. The fun ride is hosted by the North Tipperary Sports Partnership.
The Visit Nenagh Classic is organised by Visit Nenagh.ie Team DMG with the help of the Mayor of Nenagh, Nenagh Town Council, North Tipperary County Council, Nenagh.ie and many local sponsors.
For more information or to register for the race, click here
Race Programme
Saturday 12th April
The Visit Nenagh.ie TTT is part of the Visit Nenagh.ie Classic, promoted by Visit Nenagh,ie Team DMG and Cycling Ireland. Teams participating may consist of riders from various licensed categories from the same club / trade team or a composite of riders from different clubs and or trade teams . No one day licenses. Maximum amount of teams is 30. Pre registration is essential for this event.
- Venue: Five Alley (R445) Nenagh
- Course: Five Alley - Birdhill - Five Alley
- Distance: 28.3km
- Sign On: Five Alley (from 12.30pm)
- Open to all registered CI clubs
- Riders per team: 6 (4 to finish)
- Registration Fee per team: Pre Registration €30, On race day €40
- Start Time First Team: 2pm
Sunday 13th April 2014
- Race HQ: Abbey Court Hotel, Dublin Rd., Nenagh
- Sign On: 8.30am
- Start: First race 10.30 (all races neutralised depart from Race HQ)
- Finish: Pearse Street, Nenagh, Town Centre
- Open to all CI and race registered riders
- Pre registration €16.00 (incl Paypal handling fee) On race day €20
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