Sam Coleman, then a second-year junior, scalping some very strong men at the Tour of Ards in sodden conditions in 2024 (Photo: Toby Watson)
Ards Cycling Club has said it has taken the difficult decision to cancel this weekend's Tour of Ards, which was a two-race fixture planned for this Saturday.
In pulling the plug on the race - as entries were very low - it has called on riders to support Banbridge CC's Alan Towel Memorial on Sunday, and which you can enter by following this link.
The host club had been planning to hold two races, from Portaferry GAC in Co Down, on Saturday, with one event for C1-C2 riders and a separate event for the C3s.
However, it has found itself the victim of the low race numbers in evidence again this year, and which have already claimed other races, including the Gorey Three Day.
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"We are sorry to announce that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year's Tour of Ards race. Unfortunately, entries at this stage are too low, even allowing for further entries tomorrow (Friday)," Ards CC said in a post on social media late on Thursday.
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"This will be a disappointment for everyone who has been looking forward to another great day's racing. We would encourage everyone who can to support Banbridge CC's Alan Towell race on Sunday."
Ards Cycling Club said refunds will be processed for all entries over the next days. It also thanked its sponsor and everyone else who planned to be on hand to run the race this weekend and who had helped with the race plans in recent weeks.
"We want to recognise and thank everyone who entered, our event sponsor B9 Energy Storage, our team of static marshals, moto marshals, car drivers, deploying signs, marking roads, providing media support, medical support, catering, and all the many other things that go into putting on a race like this," it said.
It added it would "regroup and come back again next year".
