Ulster's Philip Lavery won a great Tour of the North back in 2010 and thankfully other emerging riders will have a chance of the title this year now the event has been rescued.
Just 24 hours after it was apparently lost from the domestic calendar for another year, the P&O Ferries Tour of the North is back on again and will go ahead as usual over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.
The NICF had said just yesterday that despite raising funds from the private sector, including from its long-term backer P&O Ferries, the allocations of badly needed grants from some local councils in the North had been delayed this year until April, meaning running the race in that month was not possible.
Race director Anthony Mitchell said cancelling the race had been an “extremely reluctant decision”, adding he and his colleagues felt they had exhausted all options to raise the additional money needed.
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He also announced his decision to step down as race director, with Andrew Duncan also stepping down as commercial director. Mr Mitchell had been due to step down after the running of the 50th edition of the four-day last year until snow forced its cancellation.
He then decided to remain in charge for the 2014 edition and to deliver the 50th anniversary race before stepping down. However, having been forced for financial reasons to call off the race this year, he said yesterday he had decided to go from his post immediately.
News yesterday of the race’s cancellation was a bitter blow, coming as it did in a year when permission had been secured from the PSNI to increase the field from 100 to 150 riders. It was also due to be held just weeks before the Giro d’Italia was scheduled to start in Belfast.
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However, the event seems to have been saved after an announcement this evening, Tuesday.
Joan McCullough of Ballymena has taken on the role of race director along with her father Alan Mark, who had previously held the post.
Through Cycling Ulster she issued the following statement this evening:
“I am pleased to inform everyone that the 2014 Tour of the North will be going ahead. As most of you know, former race director Anthony Mitchell has resigned. Anthony and the committee in recent years have put in a lot of work, time and effort into organising this race and we wish Anthony and others that are not returning to the committee all the best in the future.
"This year's event will be open to A* A1 A2 & A3 categories. Priority will be given to local clubs and riders.
"We hope to have an online entry system up and running in the coming weeks. The date of the Tour of the North will stay in its usual Easter Weekend slot. Further information will be available in later days."
Joan McCullough
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