Ruairi Byrne of UCD Cycling Club wins the main event at last year's Des Hanlon Memorial, with four races down for decision as part of the Carlow promotion this Sunday (Photo: Sean Rowe)
The Des Hanlon Memorial, promoted by Carlow Road Cycling Club, is the main event on the calendar this weekend, with no racing being promoted on Saturday meaning big fields can be expected on Sunday.
Coming as it does the weekend before Dornan Rás Mumhan, when the Irish riders will go up against visitors from abroad, the 'Hanlon' is always very hard fought and a good indicator of form. It's one of those fixtures where everyone wants to score a victory.
On Saturday, March 28th, the Killinchy CC Grand Prix was due to take place, promoted by Killinchy CC in Killinchy, Co Down. Unfortunately, there are major road works underway in the area, which are ahead of schedule and encroaching on the start-finish area.
And that means the promoting club had no choice but to announce last weekend that the race planned for Saturday is off; a blow, but out of the control of the club.
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In the absence of that event, the only road racing being promoted in the island on Saturday comes in the shape of the Lucan Cycling Road Club Youth Races. The events take place from 10am to 2pm, from race HQ at Blackhall Gaels GAA, Collinstown, Co Meath.
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There are races for U10s, U12s and events for U14-U16 girls, U14 boys and U16 boys. The events are being promoted by Lucan CRC and you can enter and get more information by following this link.
On Sunday, Castlebar Cycling Club promotes the Castlebar Grand Prix, with two races down for decision. Race HQ is at An Sportlann, McHale Rd, Gorteendrunagh, Castlebar.
Sign-on is from 9-10.15am, with roll out at 10.45am and the races starting at 11am. The C1-C2 handicapped race is 97km (route here) and the C3 race is 60km (route here).
You can get more information about the Castlebar GP and enter the races by following this link.
While those races are taking place in Mayo, Carlow is the destination of the Des Hanlon promotion. Race HQ and sign-on, from 9.30am, is Graiguecullen GAA Club, with the races starting from 12 noon.
The C1 race is 130km and starts at 12 noon, the C2 race is 82km and starts at 12:03, the C3 race is also 82km and starts at 12:08pm and the women's race, also 82km, starts at 12:12pm.
You can get more information on the Des Hanlon races, and also enter the events, by following this link.
