Joe Fenlon wore his national vets' champion jersey with distinction on the Tour of Ulster last year, taking stage and overall victory (Photo: Marian Lambe, Cycling Ulster)
Having very nearly been lost from the Irish calendar last year, Carn Wheelers has moved to assure the racing community that the Tour of Ulster will take place in 2014. The club will promote the event after stepping in late in the day last year to save it.
Many had feared Carn Wheelers’ involvement may only stretch to one year and that the race would be in crisis again in coming months.
However, race director Aidan Higgins said he and all in the promoting club had taken on the event again for next year.
"We undertook the event for the first time in 2013, it was a huge undertaking but with the support of the club and local businesses we put together three hard road stages and one short time trial,” he said.
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“The riders responded with a sporting weekend of racing, with the yellow jersey in the balance right down to the last 10km on the final stage".
The race was won in great style by Joe Fenlon of Aquablue.
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Said Higgins of next year’s event: "Already, overseas teams have been in contact looking to book an early slot for 2014. With the Tour of Ulster finishing just five days before the Giro 'Grande Partenza' there will be a huge buzz around local cycling and who knows who will be over scouting the local roads".
He added while the race route was still being finalised, riders could expect the base to be once again Maghera.
The three-day had always been run by the Ulster Cycles Promotions Club. It held an AGM in October of last year at which it was decided there was insufficient volunteer support to the run the race in a professional manner.
The organisers were experiencing specific difficulties in sourcing civilian motorbike marshals to offer support to the PSNI motorbikes normally assigned to the race.
It was announced shortly after the AGM that because of those problems, the race would not be going ahead in 2013.
However, just days later it emerged a number of clubs had begun talks to try and save the event and the race was re-entered on the calendar. It took place between May 4th and 6th after Carn Wheelers stepped up to the plate and took on the task of organising the fixture.
The Tour of Ulster will take place 3rd - 5th May 2014, for information please email Aidan Higgins on [email protected]
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