The elite men's podium at last year's National Road Championships in Omagh. After a number of problems, the venue and courses for this year's promotion - in two weeks - have been unveiled (Photo: Sean Rowe)
Having run into several problems in recent weeks, the venue and course details for the National Road Championships have been unveiled, with Kilcullen, Co Kildare, now set to stage the racing.
The championships - which include Masters road races and elite and U23 men's and women's road races and TTs - were originally planned for Clonmel.
However, promoting club Clonmel CC ran into financial problems and when another promoting club could not be found in the Munster area, Dublin's Orwell Wheelers stepped in late in the day and volunteered to take on the events.
Advertisement
It originally announced the Phoenix Park as the start-finish venue.
But those plans were scrapped when the security operation around the visit of US vice president to Ireland in a fortnight meant the park was no longer available.
And so a course around Wicklow's lakes was selected, with the road races to start and finish in Blessington.
But when there were objections locally that the championships would cause major disruption, especially as the dates clashed with a local festival, the Wicklow venue had to be scrapped.
Today Cycling Ireland has confirmed the races will be decided on a course in Co Kildare, with the start and finish in Kilcullen.
While Orwell Wheelers remains the promoting club, it is being assisted by local outfit Kilcullen CC.
And though the routes for the title race TTs have not yet been set out, Cycling Ireland's statement, below, includes a description of the road race routes along with lots of other information including the schedule of events.
Cycling Ireland statement in full
The new venue for this year’s race is Kilcullen, with the Kilcullen Cycling Club kindly offering their assistance with local support for the event.
The race route in Kilcullen is a popular one with road racers, offering a challenging and competitive circuit which will suit the aggressive rider.
Orwell Wheelers have Championship events in the programme for Elite Women, Elite Men, U23 Men, M40, M50 and M60 categories. The road races will take place in Kilcullen over 25-26 June, with the time trial course being announced later in the week.
Cycling Ireland President Ciaran McKenna acknowledged that the event had overcome some difficult issues saying:
“The National Championships has come up against two unforeseen issues in the past weeks, but thanks to the patience and support of Orwell Wheelers, alternative locations and circuits were agreed with all the local authorities.
Related News
"Cycling Ireland would also like to acknowledge the support of the Garda Síochána and Kildare County Council who have been enormously supportive with the venue changes.
"Special thanks go to Liam Walker who has been assisting Orwell Wheelers with local considerations.”
Entries opened for the Championships at 5pm on Wednesday, 25th May:
National Road Champs Overview
Time Trial Thursday 23rd 6pm start
- Para Athletes 20km Athy – Kilcullen
- Senior Men, Women, U23
- 40km Kilcullen – Athy – Kilcullen
Road Races Saturday 25th
- M40 Start Time 10.00am 4 Laps 26km circuit (104km)
- M50 Start Time 10.10am 3 Laps 26km circuit (78km)
- M60 Start Time 10.15am 2 Laps 26km circuit (52km)
Road Races Sunday 26th
- Women’s (including Masters): Start time 9.00am 3 laps 31km circuit (95km)
- Men (including U23): Start time 10.45am 6 laps 31km circuit (188km)
Circuit Details 26km Circuit Saturday’s Events
The start and finish for all races will be on Main Street in Kilcullen. All races will proceed south, along the R448. Races will be neutralised until reaching the R448/R418 junction
Races will continue south on the R418 for 10.2 kilometres, turn left onto the L8016, continuing along this road, to Narraghmore onto the L8015, continuing to the junction of the L8015 and the R448.
Races will turn left onto the R448 and follow this road for 6.7 kilometres to the junction with the L6080, where they will again turn left, onto the L6080.
The race will follow the L6080 for 2.4 kilometres until turning left to re-join the R448. At this point the race will immediately turn left again, onto the R418 to start a new lap or finish.
Circuit Details 31km Circuit Sunday’s Events
The start and finish for all races will be on Main Street in Kilcullen. All races will proceed south, along the R448. Races will be neutralised until reaching the R448/R418 junction
Races will continue south on the R418 for 10.2 kilometres, turn left onto the L8016, continuing along this road, to Narraghmore onto the L8015, continuing to the junction of the L8015 and the R448.
Races will turn right onto the R448 and then immediately turn left onto the L8032.
The route will follow the L8032 for 1.6 kilometres to turn left at a T junction.
After a further 1.4 kilometres the races will turn left again passing Colbinstown Stud which is the start off the 3.3km climb before turning left again then right at Kilgowan Cottages re-joining the R448.
After 4.3 kilometres, the races will turn left and will follow the L6080 for 2.4 kilometres until turning left to re-join the R448. At this point the race will immediately turn left again, onto the R418 to start a new lap.
Topics
