These were the conditions on the roads of Kerry that the Lacey Cup was set to take; hard to believe after the balmy weather of just a few days ago. This was the scene on the first climb on the course (Photos with thanks to Panduit Carrick Wheelers)
One of the big early season fixtures and the Munster scene curtain raiser, the Lacey Cup, has been abandoned shortly after the start.
While conditions were cold and wet with some sleet and snow in the region, the weather worsened significantly.
That mean snow fell, and stuck on the roads, on some sections of the course. And so about 15km into the event it was brought to a halt and abandoned.
It was a disappointing turn of events for the 200 or so riders and their support crews who had made the trip.
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However, with some parts of the roads covered in snow, it appears abandoning the event was wise.
The A2s starting the Lacey Cup this morning pic.twitter.com/LghObyfJCl
— Carrick Wheelers (@Carrickwheelers) March 3, 2019
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Tralee Manor West BC said it was very disappointed but had not option to abandon the race due to snow it said was not forecast.
“The conditions on Gleann na nGealt and further west rapidly deteriorated which put marshals, riders and other road users at risk,” it said.
It thanked everyone who had travelled for the race as well as volunteers who helped out and the Garda.
The club added because the race was not completed it would try to reschedule it at a later date.
Ironically, when snow hit the Irish road racing season hard this time last year, the Lacey Cup was the only fixture that went ahead on the first Sunday of the season.
The event is hosted by Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club; a handicapped event, it has turned into a big occasion down the years with a coveted victory up for grabs.
The race always draws a large field of riders, with 200 competing in previous years. Some of the top Irish riders would have fought it out all the way today but for the weather.
There was set to be a separate race for the A4 category today, starting after the A1-A2-A3 main event.
More when we have it.
The riders huddled together and waiting for the off. It wasn't long until they were pulling in again and changing back into their civvies.
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