The Gorey Three Day is back on the roads this year, with all three stages in Co Wexford and the TT stage put to one side for the returning 2022 edition.
Like many stage races across the country, the Gorey was forced to a halt over the last two years due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, while it is looking for a sponsor to support the event going forward, this year’s edition is definitely taking place.
The race has now switched to a Wexford-based organising group, under race director Derek Webb, having been organised for years by the Irish Road Club, with Sam D’Arcy and Alice Sheratt at the helm.
Some of the changes to the race were announced two years ago, though that new format under new organisers never went ahead due to the pandemic. The main change involves all of the racing being based around Gorey, rather than racing from Blessington to Gorey on stage 1 and back again on the final stage.
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And that means a completely new route for two of the three stages; full details of which can be found below. Race organiser Webb has also confirmed the TT stage will not go ahead this year. The cavalcade on the three-stage race will also be restricted in size as local stakeholders had requested it be reduced.
That change means that only teams or clubs with three riders or more can have a following vehicle. However, other riders can come together and share a following vehicle. There will also be a women’s classification in the event.
“We are excited this year to have a ladies classification in the race for the first time in many years and have been working with the women’s commission the last few weeks to try promoting this section of the race,” said Webb.
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“The race will be open to A3, A2 and juniors as normal. There will be leader classification jerseys for each of these categories and also a new purple jersey for the highest placed Wexford rider.
“I am actively seeking a major sponsor to help with the cost of hosting the race, we won’t have one this year, but moves are afoot to secure one for 2023. So we really are depending on riders to come and support the event this season, and we are confident that there is still a hunger out there for road racing despite it been obliterated the last 24 months.”
Webb added stage 2 in particular would be a long and hard day in the saddle, taking in Croghan Mountain. The last time that route was included in the race the stage was won by Mark Scanlon, the former junior world champion.
Entries will open around St Patrick’s Day weekend and the organisers have urged riders, clubs and teams to enter immediately the system opens as places in the race and accommodation will be at a premium for the weekend.
The Gorey Three Day, 2022
Saturday 16th April 2022
- Race Headquarters: Craanford Hall
- Stage 1 Sign on: 12.00pm – 13.30pm am
- Managers, Officials Meeting: 13.00 hrs
- Race Depart: 14:00hrs Craanford to Craanford Circuit 98.7km. 4 Laps. KOH x 4. Finishing around 5pm.
Sunday 17th April 2022
- Race Headquarters: Loch Garman Arms Hotel
- Stage 2 Sign On 9.00am to 9.45am
- Race Depart: 10:00 am Gorey to Gorey KOH x 5. Stage finishing around 1pm.
Monday 18th April
- Race Headquarters: Loch Garman Arms
- Stage 2 Sign On 9.00am to 9.45a
- Race Depart: 10: 00 am Gorey to Gorey circuit (4 x Laps) and finishing around 1pm
