The climb is steep and narrow. Team cars can bypass it and team car drivers and spectators are urged to exercise care (All photos by Sean Rowe)
Caution urged on elite road race champs climb
Caution has been urged on the final climb of the National Road Race Championships course during the main events tomorrow, Sunday.
The ascent is very steep in sections and narrow all the way up. And after some issues arose during the Masters races on the course today, caution is being urged.
There are two races tomorrow in Wexford; the elite women’s event and the combined elite and U23 men’s contest.
Race director Derek Webb told stickybottle he expected a fantastic atmosphere on the Codd's Lane climb, which is about 5km from the finish.
A couple of sections of the ascent are very steep and while the riders will take it quite fast on the opening laps, it should cause plenty of damage later in the race.
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Road races taking in steep and narrow climbs with switch backs is common place. As long as care is exercised the racing will pass off without incident. And there is room for spectators on the Codd's Lane ascent.
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Crowds are expected to flock to the short ascent and Webb said everyone was welcome.
However, he urged spectators to be mindful that the road is narrow. And with the crowds, riders and following cars all set to share a tight space everyone is asked to exercise care.
“There is a grass verge there so people won’t standing in briars,” said Webb.
While the organisers considered stopping team cars going up the climb, it has been decided they may follow the riders up it.
It was felt if a rider punctured and could not get serviced because of a team car ban it could affect the outcome and reflect poorly on the title races.
However, the climb is on a ‘horse shoe’ stretch, meaning team cars have two options.
They can take the turn right and follow the riders up the hill. Or they can continue straight and join the race again about 1.5km up the course, having bypassed the ‘horse shoe’ stretch the climb is on.
In today’s Masters races there were some minor issues when congestion on a tight bend forced some of the cars to slow right down.
It meant riders came around the corner and were forced to negotiate the stalled vehicles.
And with more riders and cars set to line out tomorrow it is important everyone is vigilant, especially on the early laps when the peloton - and cavalcade - will be at its biggest.
The organisers stress there is room for spectators on the climb but have nonetheless urged care in order that the racing passages through that section without incident each time.
