Three new races in expanded Cycling Ireland National Road Series

*The Cycling Ireland National Road Series has been increased in size this year, with extra rounds and three new races included (Photo: Bryan Keane-Inpho)*

The Cycling Ireland National Road Series is set to get underway next weekend, with seven rounds through the season, two more than last year. While there are more events in the series this season, there will be two races each round.

This time there will not be senior and junior races each round, though there will be a separate classification - and overall winner and other placings - for male and female juniors.

In 2023 the juniors will race with the senior riders, which should help bring on many of the young riders. Some of the younger cyclists have already reached the level of top seniors, even a small number of first year juniors who have only begun racing with the seniors in recent weeks.

The opening round of the 2023 series takes place this Sunday in the shape of the Donal Crowley Memorial promoted by Blarney Cycling Club. That event is one of three new rounds in the series this year, with the John Drumm Cup and the Mullingar Grand Prix the other two new entries.

The series moves at a clip early in the season with the second round being promoted on Sunday week, April 2nd, at the Des Hanlon Memorial promoted by Carlow Road Cycling Club. And three weeks later the Brian O'Loughlin Memorial is round 3, promoted by Cunga CC.

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There is then as bigger gap, until June 4th, for round 4; the Sean Nolan Meath Grand Prix organised by Navan Road Club. Then comes the John Drumm Cup, by Currow CC, on June 11th, the Mullingar GP by Lakeside Wheelers on July 16th and the final round, the Alan Towell Memorial by Banbridge CC, on August 19th.

Last year's senior women's series winner, Gabriele Glodenyte (UCD Cycling Club) said the schedule of races would be a real challenge.

"What I enjoy most is that you get to see different towns and meet new people," she said. "The level of competition amongst the women’s races is high, so you can quickly learn what are the right and wrong moves to make in a race. I would highly recommend them to women who are interested in racing and want to improve their skills.”

The men's 2022 series winner, Matt Teggart, now racing with AT85 Pro Cycling, said it was "an honour" to be crowned victor last year.

"It’s quite a prestigious achievement and one that I definitely cherished. In my opinion, the series is very important for the Irish domestic season,” he said. "It’s a big draw for a lot of semi-professional or aspiring professional riders like myself who also race abroad to come home and test yourself against the very best in the country.

"It’s something I’ll definitely be looking at (racing in) if I’m home during the year. I think the domestic racing scene is getting stronger every year and the National Series will no doubt be a hotly contested event this year."