The visit of US vice president Joe Biden is the reason
the national road race championships will not now take place in the Phoenix Park. Race organisers Orwell Wheelers have expressed their disappointment with the news that the previously-confirmed plans have now been cancelled.
“On the weekend of 23th-26th of June there will be restricted access to the Phoenix Park due to a major security operation that will be in place. This means no public events will be granted access to the park,” said Cycling Ireland in a statement yesterday.
The club is looking at an alternative plan to run the championships in Wicklow.
The final team for this year’s An Post Rás has been announced, with two Irish riders and three foreign competitors to make up the An Post Chain Reaction team for the event.
National road race champion Damien Shaw and Jack Wilson will be joined by Belgians Nicolas Vereecken and Emiel Wastyn, plus New Zealand's Aaron Gate. Gate won two stages plus the points classification last year.
The race begins at Dublin Castle on Sunday, with the start proper taking place at 12.30pm in Clonee. In addition to the Irish-sponsored, Belgium-based An Post Chain Reaction team, there will be 14 overseas squads in the race. There will also be an Irish national team, as well as 20 county squads.
This year’s race will total almost 1,240 kilometres, and will include 25 categorised climbs. It will feature stage finishes in Multyfarnham, Charleville, Dingle, Sneem, Clonakilty, Dungarvan and Baltinglass before concluding in Skerries on May 29th.
The second running of the Emerald Enduro last weekend was a major success. Greg Callaghan won the elite men’s race, while his cousin Killian Callaghan took the under 21 men’s contest. Leah Maunsell scooped the equivalent women’s race and Robin Seymour was best of the masters riders.
