Irish cycling will have an endurance series for the first time next year, with the racing made up of three rounds to take place in April, June and July. There will be a separate series for different distances, including 200km, 300km and 500km, and entry prices range from €45 to €300.
That means the racing will suit a much wider group of leisure and road racing riders, with no significant long-term change in training required for those who want to take on the 200km series. At the same time, the 500km option will be attractive to more experienced endurance riders. However, some of the rounds will feature one-off races on the day - which are not part of the series - in distances of 90km and 130km.
Any rider who wants to have a go at the longer distances, but does not want to ride the full series, can simply enter one event. The new 'Ultra Cycling Race League' is being organised by Challenge Sports and all of the events will take place in the company's west of Ireland base.
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The events are as follows:
- The Eastern Challenge, from Killeeneenmore in Co Galway, takes place on Saturday, April 8th, and will feature distances of 200km and 300km - which are part of the series - as well as 90km and 130km. Route here
- The Western Challenge will be run over Friday and Saturday, June 16th and 17th, out of Salthill, Co Galway. There will be distances of 200km, 300km and 525km, all of which will be part of the series. Route here
- The Devil's 500 will take place on Friday and Saturday, July 28th and 29th, out of Kilcornan, Co Galway. It will feature three different distances; 200km, 300km and 500km. Route here
The 'Endurance Series' consists of the three 200km races with league points available for the top 30 riders in both supported and unsupported disciplines. The 'Ultra Series' consists of the three 300km races with league points available for top 30 riders in both supported and unsupported disciplines. The 'Ultra Endurance Series' is comprise of two of the 300km events - the Eastern Challenge and the Western Challenge - and also the and Devils 500 event of 500km. League points will be available for the top 30 in each event.
"All events will be tracked live and consist of both supported and unsupported leaderboards for 200, 300 and 500 kilometer disciplines," Challenge Sports says of the new series. "As part of our goal we aim to make Ultra Cycling more affordable and therefore have tried to enter the Ultra Cycling calendar with more affordable ticket prices and features such as our support option to help participants achieve their goal without the cost of a support crew."
The three rounds also feature categories - 300km and 500km - for two-person teams and the more expensive entry fee, of €300, is for the two-person 500km event teams.
