There are a lot of events in the week ahead but the most important on on the Scott Orwell Wheeler calendar is the Stephen Roche GP. This event is Ireland's most prestigious criterium race, running annually since 1988. The challenging but spectator-friendly circuit invariably produces great racing action for the crowd lining the roadsides and congregated in the central green area. The 1.3km loop is located in the housing estate where no less than three of the Roche family took their first tentative pedal strokes on the road to Tour de France glory.
Established as one of the 'must do' events on the Leinster racing calendar, the Roche Grand Prix traditionally boasts a who's who of Irish road racing talent with the top short circuit racers in the country doing battle for one of local racing's most prestigious trophies.
Past winners include professional cyclist and Orwell Wheelers member Nicolas Roche in 2008. Son of Stephen Roche, Nicolas' palmarès include both the Irish National Road and Time Trial Championships, as well as a stage of the Vuelta a España, currently riding for Team BMC
Event Particulars
Date: Wednesday June 20st
Times:
- Sign-On Opens: 17:30 - 18:30
- Youth Race: 18:35
- Women's Race: 19:20
- A/1/2/3/Jr Race: 20:00
Entry Fee:
- Seniors: €15
- Juniors: €5
- Youth: Free
Location:
- Sign-On for all senior races and Parking is at Ballinteer Community School.
- Start line is 1.2km away in Meadow Mount Estate.
Route: Roche GP Route.
ROAD RACING:
Friday 15th:
The National Criterium Championships take place in Mullingar on Friday the 15th of June. Bryan Geary, Callum O'Toole and Paul Forristal will be representing the club in the men's race. The women's race is a demonstration event this year and Orla Hendron will be taking racing for the club. We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to hearing the results.
Saturday 16th:
Naas Cycling Club will be running their Open TT on the course that is well know to us - the National Championships course from 2016. This event forms part of the Women's Intermediate League this year and we are hoping to see a good turn out of women on the day. It is a rolling/challenging course - 38.2km long from Kilcullen to Athy and back. Online registration is open on the Naas Cycling Club website. Limited Competition licenses are allowed to enter.
Full details on: https://www.naascyclingclub.com/open-individual-time-trial-saturday-june-16th/
Sunday 17th:
The Sean Nolan Meath Grand Prix, promoted by Navan Road Club takes place on Sunday the 17th. From their website: https://navanroadclub.ie
Youth Races start at 9:45 am with the U12 race finishing before the U14 and U16 set off. Sign on from 8:30am at Ardsallagh. Award Presentations to follow the conclusion of the U16 race. Prizes are 6 deep in each age group, as well as 3 unplaced girls.
- U12 1.5 laps, 10 km — Start at 9:45am
- U14 4 laps, 24 km — Start at about 10:10am
- U16 5 laps, 30 km — Start at about 10:05 am
Senior, Women’s, and Junior’s races start at 1pm, sign on from 10:30am at Simonstown GAA. The races will finish at Wilkinstown Hall on R162.
- A1/A2 3 laps, 116 km. Prizes 8 deep, 6 unplaced A2s
- A3/Women/Juniors 3 laps, 116 km. Prizes 6 deep, 3 unplaced Women and Juniors
- A4 2 laps, 80km. Prizes 6 deep. Preregistration required by 6pm Saturday, field is limited.
Club League:
Round 12 of the club league sees us heading to Mondello Race track on Thursday the 21st. Please keep an eye on the forum for full details and for those driving down be aware that the road widening works around Naas are causing some delays in the evenings. An alternative route would be to leave the N7 at Kill and head cross country via Millicent and Digby Bridge.
TRACK:
VETS:
All systems are go again in the Vets this week after the very successful running of the Wicklow 200 last Sunday.
Saturday June 16: 10 mile TT starting at the Hatchet Inn @ 9.30am
Sunday June 17th: The Founders 50 - an Age Chase Pursuit! This is on the Summerhill course, sign on is open from 8am with the start at 9am.
Tuesday June 19th: Race league Round 13 on the Green Sheds circuit. Starting at 7.15pm this is bound to be a fast one!
YOUTHS:
Sign-on will be from 09:00. The fee is €10 for riders over 14 years old. It's €5 for riders under 14. There are sponsorship cards available from Joe Daly Cycles.
All proceeds go to Simpson's Hospital, Dundrum. Click on the link for some information on Simpson's Hospital - Simpson's Hospital Dundrum
There will be a Draw for all participants at the end of the Rally.