The story behind Ireland's new 'richest bike race' | €4,400 prize money, €9,000 budget | Sticky Bottle

*Bray Wheelers already runs the prestigious Shay Elliott Memorial and now the club - and driving force Danny Conroy - have created the unique McGinty Autumn Classic (Photo: Sean Rowe)*

This Sunday the inaugural edition of the McGinty Autumn Classic takes place in Arklow, Co Wicklow (enter here). Any new race, especially coming after falling numbers on the domestic scene in recent years, is welcome. But this genuinely is a race with a difference.

Between the C1 and C2 events, there will be about 50 prizes. There's €1,000 for winning the C1 race, an enormous sum of money in the context of Irish cycling. It total, the prize money fund is set to reach €4,400 while the budget for the whole day - prizes included - will be up to €9,000.

The man behind the race, Danny Conroy, outlines in this interview with stickybottle where the money is coming from - in a race with no entry fee. He also explains exactly what he and Bray Wheelers are trying to achieve by running 'Irish cycling's richest bike race'. He says Irish cycling needs to be revived, with some swagger brought back to the scene.

"We have eight guards and three squad cars, we have three ambulances," he explained, outlining some of the planning for the day. "We're renting barriers, we're renting portaloos, we've to pay Arklow Rugby Club, we've to pay commissaires. The race is probably going to cost €8,000 to €9,000."

So where is it all coming from? In short, sponsors. More precisely, the money has been put up by one man, and his company, who is backing Conroy and his Bray Wheelers club; Mick Duncan the owner of MJ Duncan & Sons Construction.

Conroy has a long relationship with Duncan and through his own company, Clara Joinery, he works with MJ Duncan & Sons. He has decided to name the race after Mick Duncan's father; now 83-years-old, well known in the construction trade and known to his friends as 'McGinty'.

Conroy was a top level amateur racer in his day and even competed in France for a couple of seasons. He got back on the bike a few years ago and now his son, Jack Conroy (21), is competing at C1 level for Bray Wheelers, finishing 2nd in a race in Belgium in the past week.

Conroy has raised €35,000 this year through sponsorships, mainly for the Bray Wheelers senior riders towards sending teams to Rás Tailteann, Rás Mumhan and other events. Several of the club riders have gone to race in Belgium, with others going abroad to race in mountain bike events; all of it aided by the sponsorship money.

As well as backing the McGinty Autumn Classic, Mick Duncan has also funded other Bray Wheelers activities this year, including the Rás Tailteann team and support vehicles. Conroy's company, Clara Joinery, has also helped out, as has the Glenview Hotel in Kilmacanogue.

"We also have a few other smaller sponsors and this year we've raised that €35,000, so the money can be raised for Irish cycling. But it's up to individuals to go out and ask for it," Conroy says.

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As well as running the first McGinty Autumn Classic this year, Bray Wheelers also increased the prize fund for the winner of the Shay Elliott Classic from €170 last year to €500 this season, with other prizes also boosted.

That was mainly achieved through securing Trinity Skoda as a sponsor, which helped raise €4,000 for the Shay Elliott. Trinity Skoda also gave four branded cars for use on the day of the race.

"I even think having those branded cars.... it just raises the profile of an event, and that's what we have to do," he said of Irish cycling.

"Years ago, when I was racing, you had to beat your way through the crowd to get your prize. But recently, when I've been at races with Jack, there's only 12 people in a big hall at presentations.

“So that's why we are doing this Belgian-style on Sunday; first 15 over the line. There's primes every lap of €50 in the C1 race and €25 in the C2. So there's nearly 50 prizes to give out.

"And the idea is to have a crowd of 60-70 people in Arklow Rugby Club (for the prize presentation) and we'll have music, coffee, sandwiches. We're trying to have a bit of razzmatazz... make cycling sexy again.

"It's probably going to be a wet day, or somewhat wet, so you're going to earn your money," he laughed. "There'll be headwinds, up drags, I want these lads to work hard for their money.

“We are trying to lead by example. Races don't have to be cancelled, you can get help, you can make it happen. And with this race, if I have my way next year, I'd run a 90 minute Belgian-style kermesse the night before the McGinty. If you don't do something different, nothing is going to happen.”

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