The addition of new Cyclocross National Series to the domestic scene is set to add to what could be a big cyclocross season ahead on the island of Ireland.
Cycling Ireland disappointingly chose not to send a team to the World Road Championships, due to lack of money, and those Worlds are now unfolding without Irish representation for the first time since the 1970s. However, while that disappointment will fully kick in this weekend as the elite title races unfold in Wollongong, the Irish racing scene will at least have a new focus in the shape of cyclocross. There is much to look forward to.
After a two-year delay, the Dublin round of the UCI World Cup will take place in December. Those events - especially if the big names come to compete in Ireland - could be a huge boost for Irish cyclocross in the first season post-pandemic.
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Added to that international glamour fixture, the new Cyclocross National Series should bring together the top riders on the domestic scene for each of the four rounds, rather than the National Championships being the only time they all clash.
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There are four rounds in all - one in each of the four provinces - with the new series set to begin in Westport on November 19th, promoted by Westport Cycling Club. The second round takes place just one week later, November 26th, in Drombane Thurles, Co Tipperary, and is promoted by Upperchurch Drombane CC.
Next up is 'round 3', which is due to take place at the McCrystal Track, Jenkinstown, Co Louth, promoted by Bellurgan Wheelers. The series concludes with with the final round in Portadown, Co Armagh, on January 7th and is promoted by Velocity Road Club.
The UCI Verge Cross Clonmel is also set to be held on October 15th and 16th. With UCI ranking points on offer at Powerstown Park, the racing is set to draw riders from home and abroad.
As usual this season it is the provincial leagues that will form the backbone of the cyclocross campaign, details as follows:
- Leinster League of Cyclocross | Runs from October 9th to November 27th followed by the Leinster Championships on December 18th.
- Ulster CX Series | Begins October 2nd with racing until December 4th, followed by the Ulster Championships in December 18th.
- Munster Cyclocross League | Begins on September 25th and runs until November 27th, followed by the Munster Championships on December 18th.
- Connacht Cyclocross Series | While details of this series were not available at the time of writing, the Connacht Championships will run on the same day as the other three provincial title races, December 18th.
Finally, the big show - the National Cyclocross Championships - will bring the season to a close on the weekend of January 14th and 15th. They will be hosted in Co Louth by Bellurgan Wheelers.
