With the number of entries at races down this year - a trend we have seen for the last few seasons since the pandemic - some race cancellations have been announced; for this weekend and the weeks ahead.
Clubs that host races are obviously aided by volunteerism, but the money from entry fees is still the engine that puts races on the road. And without those funds, the vast majority of clubs would not have the resources to hold open races.
Strabane Lifford has cited low entries in deciding to cancel its Strabane Lifford Cycling Club GP this Sunday in Co Donegal. Though the race had a sponsor in the shape of Portercabins, it clearly still needed to reach a set level of revenue from entry fees to make it viable.
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The club had intended to hold four races on the day - A1-A2, A3, Junior, A4 - but has now pulled the plug on this year's edition.
"Potercabins SLCC GP cancelled due to low numbers," the club confirmed in a brief post on social media, adding anyone who had already entered for the races would be refunded.
Another event that will not take place this year is the popular Kanturk Three Day, which is always a feast of racing held by O'Leary Stone Kanturk on the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The host club confirmed the event was not going ahead in two weeks time. Though it did not specify low numbers, or any other reasons, it said the event would be held against next year.
