Omagh Wheelers are looking for a course that will produce worthy national road champions, but on a short lap through the heart of town. Above, the field gets underway during this year's title race in Westmeath (Photo: George Doyle)
Next year’s elite and U23 National Road Race and Time Trial Championships will be held in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
And one of the men tasked with running the events is confident of putting on “something special” to rival anything that has gone before.
Stevie McKenna of Omagh Wheelers said the courses for the various races - including the veteran men's road race - to be held in late June have yet to be confirmed.
But he will be looking for spectator-friendly routes that are challenging, and where the strongest man wins.
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“My key objective is to base the road races in the heart of Omagh, so it comes through the town each lap,” said McKenna.
“Hopefully that’ll create a fantastic atmosphere, and also a great buzz for competitors.
Stevie McKenna said longer courses normally used for racing in the Omagh area will be passed over in favour of a shorter lap so the road races are seen passing through the town as often as possible in June (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
"Ideally it’ll be something similar to what the riders experience when they rush through Skerries each lap on the final day of the Rás every year.
“I’ve a few ideas in mind for courses but I won’t be in a position to confirm them until we discuss it further with the local authorities and traders in the New Year."
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McKenna said many of the courses in the area normally used for racing would not be appropriate for the road races because they would not pass through Omagh.
"The challenge is to keep the laps short so you maximise the spectator element," he said.
UCD man Colm Cassidy went very close to winning the elite time trial crown this year, missing out to Michael Hutchinson by just one second (Photo: Pawel Sadowski – Shutterstills.com)
"And you're trying to find a course that offers quality surfaces, minimises traffic disruption and is a challenging circuit for the riders.
"So that all makes it more difficult than usual.
“Obviously, bringing the race into the heart of a busy town over a weekend could have a significant impact on traffic and businesses, but I hope the positive impact the racing will bring would outweigh that."
Omagh Wheelers are also looking for a title sponsor and are interested in speaking to companies or other commercial entities interested in coming on board. They can be contacted via their website OmaghWheelers.com
Fiona Meade storms in to take the elite women’s National Road Race Championships in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath, when the race was rescheduled t0 September along with the men's vets' national contest (Photo by JimmyMcElroy.com)
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