Cycling Ireland is looking for ideas and other input as it seeks to examine the 2023 racing calendar - as well as race formats, grading and other issues - with a view to making changes. One objective is to stem the fall in the number of riders competing in races through to the season.
Race cancellations due to insufficient numbers have been an issue - especially in some regions and at certain times - during recent seasons. Furthermore, while there is now a strong pipeline of young talent coming through, especially on the road, some of the biggest junior road race events have been smaller compared to five or 10 years ago.
The junior and senior events at the Cycling Ireland National Road Series have been amalgamated for both men and women as junior numbers were small. And the fields in the junior races at the National Road Championships were smaller this year, though there was very significant talent competing.
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In other disciplines, including MTB and track, numbers were also small for some of the National Championships races. Cycling Ireland now plans to examine the way the calendar of races across the disciplines is set out - as well as examining a whole host of other issues around racing - to find ways of bolstering numbers and to appeal to more cyclists in all age groups.
The national governing body plans to hold meetings of a 'Calendar and Racing Review Working Group' once a month for the next few month, when ideas for reform can be put forward. It is seeking expressions of interest - from race organisers to riders and anyone else with an interest in racing - about contributing to the virtual meetings.
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“2023 has been particularly challenging for our event promoters, who have faced increased costs and in some cases reduced entry numbers, so much so that a number of events had to be cancelled," said Paul Watson, Cycling Ireland's sports and operations director.
"We hope that by bringing this expert group together to plan for the future, it will allow us to build a structured racing program that appeals to current riders while attracting in new riders across all age groups. I know we have the people out there that can help us move forward and I look forward to receiving and delivering on their feedback.”
The 'review working group' will be led by Cycling Ireland events coordinator, Aaron Johnson. It will focus on, but will not limit itself to, a range of issues including, among others: racing calendars; types of racing including event format, distances, categories; grading of riders; youth racing.
"The group plan to meet virtually in September, October and November – with initial recommendations to be included in the calendar for 2024, and a report back to the CEO and sports operations director in December with further recommendations for future improvements," Cycling Ireland said in a statement.
Expressions of interest from those who would like to take part should be sent to [email protected] by 5pm on September 7th.
