Scott-Orwell Wheelers are pleased to announce the 2017 edition of, Ireland's most prestigious Criterium Race, the Stephen Roche GP. It's a little extra special this year as it's thirty years on from Stephen Roche's Triple Crown.
Ireland's largest cycling club, Orwell Wheelers are proud to present the Stephen Roche GP in association with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as part of the Dundrum Festival 2017.
This year, the action takes place on Wednesday June 21st. The evening will kick off with novice and youth races from 18.45, the Lisney Women's GP at 19.20, and the Stephen Roche GP at 20.00.
Prestigious History
The Stephen Roche GP is Ireland's most prestigious criterium race, running annually since 1995. 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. He is currently riding for BMC in the Critérium du Dauphiné.
The late Paul Healion won the Roche GP three times, including 2009 to become National Criterium Champion. 2011 winner Felix English went on to become 2012 National Criterium Champion, and is now riding for the TrackProject.ie team.
See here for a full list of past winners.
Event Sponsors
Just as last year, the men's and women's races will feature equal prize money, for a total placing prize fund of over €1,000.
Youth Races sponsored by Bike Exchange
The night will open with novice racing, just for fun, open to any child from the ages of three to sixteen who wants to try their hand at bike racing.
There will be youth racing for licensed U12s, U14s and U16s. Sign-on for those events is on the green in the centre of the circuit, from 17.30-18.30. Sign-on is free for youth riders, courtesy of BikeExchange.
In the interest of child protection, photographers and other media personnel, please do not include the names of the youth riders in your captions of photos or videos.
Thank you to BikeExchange.ie for sponsoring this event.
Lisney Women's GP
For the third year in a row, the Stephen Roche GP will feature a women's race, The Lisney Women’s GP. Thanks to Lisney Estate Agents this race will have a prize fund equal to the men’s race.
Car Parking and Sign-on is in Ballinteer Community School. The race starts at 19:20.
In the Women's Race, there will be prizes for the Top 8, as well as first unplaced Scott-Orwell Wheeler.
Stephen Roche GP sponsored by Murphy & Gunn
The main race, the Stephen Roche GP, for A1/2/3/Junior riders is sponsored by Murphy & Gunn Car Sales. There is no A4 race.
Car Parking and Sign-on is in Ballinteer Community School. The race starts at 20:00.
In the men's race, there will also be prizes for the Top 8, as well as a combaitivity prize, the first two unplaced A2s, first two unplaced A3s, and first unplaced Scott-Orwell Wheeler.
Event Particulars
Date: Wednesday June 21st
Times:
- Sign-On Opens: 17:30 - 18:30
- Youth Race: 18:45
- Women's Race: 19:20
- A/1/2/3/Jr Race: 20:00
Entry Fee:
- Seniors: €15
- Juniors: €5
- Youth: Free
Location:
- Sign-On and Parking is at Ballinteer Community School.
- Start line is 1.2km away in Meadow Mount Estate.
Route: Roche GP Route.
Facebook Event: Stephen Roche GP 2017.
