Ireland has secured UCI-ranked cyclocross racing, with all categories catered for. Sponsors have been put in place and the date and venue are all set for later this year.
UCI-ranked cyclocross races for Ireland this year
The growing cyclocross scene in Ireland has been given a boost with news that a new UCI-ranked cyclocross race is to be hosted here.
The event will take place in Mallusk, Belfast, on Sunday, October 7th next. It will carry a C2 ranking, like the British national series and other races in the US, Australia and throughout Europe.
The ranking is below the CDM - UCI World Cup - tier and C1 ranking; see explainer below.
Securing the race means that, aside from the national championships, Ireland now has three UCI-ranked events.
The new BioRacer International Cyclocross, as it will be known, joins the Rás and Dublin International Track GP as those with such ranking.
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It is sponsored by cycling clothing company BioRacer and Kinning Cycles; the Belfast cycling retailer owned by top Irish rider Glenn Kinning.
National cyclocross coordinator Andy Layhe and Kinning have been instrumental in working with the UCI to secure the race; work that has now yielded a big reward.
And though Kinning races at the highest level himself and organises and sponsors races here, he will be the main figure organising this new Irish event.
Kinning has ridden to Worlds level for Ireland; he is the key figure behind the race's promotion here.
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Stickybottle understands there will be separate races for elite and junior men along with elite, U23 and junior women.
There will also be a number of support races run in conjunction with the main events carrying UCI-ranking.
As well as bringing a major fixture to Ireland, the race will also offer Irish riders the opportunity to gain UCI points towards better gridding at UCI World Cups and the World Championships.
A number of Irish national teams have been selected for the Worlds and Europeans in recent years.
However, the development and high performance side of the discipline has seen very little investment generally from Cycling Ireland.
And when teams have been picked for major championships they have been small; and often announced very late.
There has also been little by way of sending riders away to gain international experience and develop before Worlds and Europeans.
However, having a significant race in Ireland may be the push the national governing body needs towards more investment.
Aside from that, the atmosphere at major international cyclocross fixtures is generally electric.
Furthermore, this fixture, secured by Layhe and Kinning, offers an excellent opportunity for Irish cycling to put on a great show.
We’ll have more news later on what is excellent news for Irish cyclocross and indeed Irish cycling generally.
What the race's C2 ranking means
The UCI has six categories of cyclocross racing, starting with the World Championships (CM). This is followed by World Cups (CDM).
Then comes class 1 (C1) and class 2 (C2), which the Bioracer International Cyclocross has been awarded.
Continental championships carry a CC ranking and national championships have a CN ranking.
To put the rankings in perspective; winning a CDM secures 200 points. Victory in a C1 race is worth 80 points and there at 40 for a C2 winner.
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