Rás Luimní is the first race in the 16-event National Road Series this Sunday, March 8th. And it's a race Sean Lacey will be trying to win having just been edged out by Páidí O’Brien in the sprint for the line 12 months ago (Photo: Sean Rowe)
By Brian Canty
One of the country’s top domestic riders, Sean Lacey, has given the recently resurrected Classic League his full backing and believes it can be a big success
The Tralee man was the last winner of the title back in 2010 before it was binned but has asked fellow riders not to be critical of it should it fail to live to up to expectation.
Indeed, the 16-race series gets underway this Sunday, March 8th, with Rás Luimní in Munster.
Advertisement
And Lacey says he for one intends to try and win it outright again.
“I think it’s good to see it back,” said the Aquablue CC man.
“It’s a positive for cycling. When anything starts like this the format is never going to be perfect.
“In my opinion it takes three years to get something right.
Wrapping up the overall win at the National Classic League in Donegal back in 2010 (Photo: Marian Lamb)
“You learn from it the first year, you tweak it the next year and realise if the changes worked or not and hopefully you have it perfect for the third year.
“I think for this to work people just have to be patient with it this year.
“They need to give feedback and let the organisers learn from it if there are changes needed.
“But if it’s seen as a long term thing then it’s going to be good.
Related News
“Some mightn’t agree with some aspects, but it’s better than what was there last year; nothing.
“You have to remember this is all voluntary time and effort that goes into it.
“So I think it’s only right to support and if you feel there are ways to make it better give feedback in a good manner as opposed to being critical.”
Lacey took a break from racing after the Rás last year but has already shown some good form this season. Seen above last man in the breakaway at the Cycleways Cup in Navan on Sunday (Photo: Sean Rowe)
And he laid bare his own ambitions to win it and retain his title.
“It’s great for me personally that I can say I won the Classic League back in 2010; it’s something nice to have on your palmares.
“The first race is in Limerick so I’ll definitely support that.
“The one after it is up in the North; I won’t be at that because it’s the day before the Des Hanlon.
“But if someone does well in those three races they’re already in with a good shot of the overall.
“It’s definitely something I won’t be turning my back on.”
National Road Series 2015
- March 8th Ras Luimni (Munster)
- March 21st Wallace Caldwell (Ulster)
- March 22nd Des Hanlon (Leinster)
- March 29th Davis Cup (Connacht)
- April 5th Ras Connemara (Connacht)
- April 12th Stamullen GP (Leinster)
- April 19th Visit Nenagh Classic (Munster)
- April 26th Tom Bourke Spring Classic (Connacht)
- May 10th Shay Elliott Memorial (Leinster)
- May 24th North Down GP (Ulster)
- June 13th Bobby Crilly Classic (Ulster)
- June 14th Donamon GP (Connacht)
- July 5th Eddie Tobin (Leinster)
- July 12th Tralee Manor West GP (Munster)
- August 9th Dan O`Donovan Memorial (Munster)
- August 15th John Beggs Memorial (Ulster)
General Classification Prizes
1st €670, 2nd €470, 3rd €300, 4th €250, 5th €210, 6th €180, 7th €160, 8th €140, 9th €120, 10th €100, Unplaced Provincial Rider 4 x €100, Total €3,000
Topics
