The endurance racing scene in Ireland has received a big boost with news that one of the races to be held here next year will double as the European Championships. The European title races - for men and women - will consist solely of the Irish race, meaning the winners on the day will be crowned European champions.
The move to bestow European Championships status on the Joe Barr 500 has been made by the World Ultra-Cycling Association (WUCA). It has also decided to run World Championships events next year, with the solo winners of the 3,600km Race Around Poland in July set be crowned endurance world champions.
In Ireland, the Joe Barr 500 European title race will take place on May 20th-21st as part of the Race Joe Barr series and the solo winners will be crowned the 500 mile European champions. However, the event will still also attract competitors tackling it to challenge themselves rather than aim for the gold medal.
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While the event securing the status of a European title race will generate a lot of interest, it is also Ireland's only official Race Across America qualifier. The Joe Barr series is run by Irish endurance rider Joe Barr and his team and for more information on their events you can follow this link.
Barr told stickybottle he was delighted with the latest move by the WUCA, and with the additional recognition that comes for his series of endurance races, which have been growing in popularity in recent years.
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"We've been running the 500 mile race since 2018 with a view to having it recognised on the European and indeed the global calendar," he said. "We're simply delighted the World Ultra-Cycling Association has seen fit to accredit our 500 as the European Championships.
"Ireland is a great place to race bikes. I've always said if you can race 500 miles here you can race 500 miles anywhere in the world. The 500-mile distance is an important one to master. You have to have pace during the day and you have to be able to maintain speed during the night. We're going to see some outstanding performances and some surprises.
"I sit on the board of the World Ultra-Cycling Association and have lobbied for more opportunity to come to Ireland. We have an incredible depth of talent here and there are a number of folks who could race successfully abroad. We need to build the sport with care and attract commercial partners to support a constructive process.
"My vision has always been to see world riders come to Ireland to race over the classic distance of 500 miles. 500 miles is the entry point to the monument distances of ultra. Master it and you're on your way. Entry so far is very positive. The European Championship changes the dynamic of the event for sure. The fact that we also have new sponsors and fantastic prizes for solo category winners, just adds the cherry on the cake."
We'll bring you more news on Barr's event soon.
