Matt Brammeier edges out Dan Martin in Monaghan in 2011; the presence of the top pros this year appears to be adding to demand for places in all races (Photo: Theresa Gunn)
By Brian Canty
The organisers of this year’s National Road Championships, Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar have warned those with ambitions of riding any of the events that all races are being run on a pre-registration basis only and places are filling up fast.
Race director Shay O’Toole said the fact the majority of the country’s top riders are due to be in Mullingar for the nationals, coupled with the increase in numbers racing, has put entries under pressure.
He added the only way he can guarantee starting slots for those intending to ride any of the title events over the three days, be it the time trials or road races, is early entry.
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“The interest is huge for all of the races, particularly I think because we’ve had assurances from the pros already that they are coming for the elite race,” he said.
“There’s too many to name but I think it could be the first time in a few years that we’ll have the bulk of the pros riding it.”
Indeed, Dan Martin has not ridden the National Championships since 2011 when he was beaten in a two-up sprint to the line in Emyvale by Matt Brammeier, who was then a member of the now disbanded HTC-Highroad squad.
Martin crashed in the Criterium du Dauphine a year later which ruled him out of the showdown in Clonmel.
Brammeier bested Lavery in the two-up sprint that decided the elite title last year, his fourth national crown in a row.
Last year, along with Nicolas Roche, he opted to give the race a miss as it came too close to the Tour de France and the logistics of travelling to Corsica for the start of the three-week Grand Tour proved too problematic.
However, both will be on the start-line in two weeks from Sunday and O’Toole said it will give domestic riders a rare chance to ride against the world’s elite.
“In fairness to the two lads, they came back to me straight away with a guarantee they’d be there so it should be a brilliant few days and a great carnival atmosphere.
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“The standard in Ireland is improving all the time and for the home-based guys it’ll expose them to some of the best guys in the world.
“The closing date for entry is a week on Monday at 12 noon and while the entries have been coming in, we don’t want a situation where riders think they can just rock up on the day and give their €30 like a normal one-day race.
“So we urge those who haven’t yet registered to do so as soon as possible.”
A really quality breakaway pulled clear in Clonmel in 2012, with Matt Brammeier winning, Nicolas Roche 2nd, Philip Lavery 3rd and Martyn Irvine 4th. All are expected in Mullingar two weeks on Sunday.
The championships are being sponsored by Grange Motors Toyota in Mullingar. The entry process is very simple. Click here and simply follow the step by step procedure.
When logged into your individual Cycling Ireland profile, click the red ‘Events Booking’ tab which brings up the registration page. Each race, with the exception of the Tandem TT (€15), is €30.
The racing kicks off with the time trial on the evening of Thursday, June 26th in Rochfortbridge. The 37km course is on the old N6 between Kinnegad and Tyrrellspass, starting and finishing in Rochfortbidge.
On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June, the focus of attention turns to village of Multyfarnham where the riders will compete over a rolling and challenging circuit of 19 km.
Saturday will see the women and veterans take to the start line for six laps bringing them through the Westmeath countryside via Ballinafid, Crookewood and back to Multyfarnham.
On Sunday, the 2013 champion Matt Brammeier will aim to make it national road title number five but he will arguably face his toughest challenge yet. The elite senior race will consist of nine laps for a total distance of 171km.
Here’s a Garmin file of the lap.
For a list of accommodation in the area visit click here.
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