The last time there was an open time trial in Co Wicklow was Sorrento CC's Danny O'Shea Memorial TT earlier in the season when Martyn Irvine (above) triumphed. Who will take the honours this weekend? (Photo: Andrew Kavanagh - www.sorrentocyclingclub.com)
Having been forced to call off the Noel & Kieran Hammond Memorial races earlier in the season when problems with the road surface emerged just before the events, Aidan Hammond and Orwell Wheelers have rescheduled the fixture to this coming weekend.
The move, when allied with the Friends First Laragh Classic in Co Wicklow on Sunday, gives the Leinster scene a strong weekend of racing just as the season draws to a close.
The Hammond races were initially planned for July in their usual road race format, but Aidan Hammond and Orwell have decided the replacement event on Saturday will take the form of a time trial.
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The race is open to a wide range of categories including A1, A2, A3, A4, women, juniors and vets and boasts a generous prize list.
“While the course is fast, it’s lumpy and it’s challenging,” said Aidan Hammond.
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“It starts at the back of the Roundwood reservoir and will head towards Ashford before then turning and heading across to Moneystown and back, and finishing back at the reservoir. It’s just over 32km.”
Sign on is at Roundwood GAA Club, Co Wicklow, at 8.30am. The start is at Varty reservoir, with the first rider off at 9.30am.
The A4 riders will go first, followed by the A3s, A2s and A1s. There will be prizes for the first six in each of those categories. There will also be three junior prizes and a women’s price so 28 ‘pots’ in total. Riders can enter on the day.
The winner of the Noel Hammond road race has been presented with the Rudge Cup down the years and fastest rider on Saturday will be presented with it, with the trophy very much going back to its roots this year.
The Rudge Cup was originally run by Orwell in 1950 and was a 50 mile time trial back then.
Here’s a map of Saturday’s course.
www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/271896017
Good luck!
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