The sportive sector in Ireland has not been immune to the fall-off in rider numbers, with one such sportive now deciding to cancel its event this year. Confirmation by Galway-based Seven Springs CC that it’s Velo na mBan sportive is off follows a small number of road races also being cancelled in recent weeks.
While the vast majority of races and sportives have gone ahead as planned since the start of the season, in the North and Republic, demand from riders is down.
Seven Springs CC said it regretted having to cancel the Velo na mBan event – a woman’s only sportive that had been scheduled for this Sunday. However, as only 34 cyclists had pre-entered it had no choice but to cancel.
“We have simply not been able to attract the numbers required to successfully stage the event,” it said in a statement. “In order to run the event, we would need to provide ambulance cover, three lead cars, facilities in two community centres and ask 20+ club members to marshal the routes.”
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The club said the decision was taken on Tuesday evening to cancel as only 34 riders had entered for the three routes being made available on the day. It would contact those who entered regarding refunding their fees and would also make a donation to the Hand-in-Hand charity in lieu of holding the event this year.
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“Thank you once again for supporting Seven Springs and Velo na mBan and hopefully we will be able to stage the event again in the future,” it said.
In other news, the 2022 Wicklow Mountains Cycle Challenge scheduled for tomorrow is postponed, due to circumstances beyond the organisers’ control. The Des Butler Memorial Cycle that was due to be held on Sunday in Limerick is also off.
It was unclear specifically why the sportives in Wicklow and Limerick are not going ahead this weekend, though several event organisers have told stickybottle ambulance availability has been an issue this year.
Meanwhile, Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club has confirmed its Sliabh Luachra Clasaici set for Sunday in Knocknagree, Co Cork, will take place. The club had reported lower entries this year and said in recent days unless more riders entered it would be forced to change its race programme.
Sliabh Luachra CC has now made it clear all categories will still be catered for on Sunday, though A1-A2-A3-Jnr riders will probably all be in one handicapped race, to be confirmed tomorrow. Women and Masters riders will still have their own race and the entry deadline has been extended until noon on Sunday.
