Scott-Orwell Wheelers wish to take a moment to appreciate the history, past and present, of the event sponsors of the Stephen Roche GP.
Part of the Dundrum Festival - Lisney and Joe Daly Cycles
The Stephen Roche GP was run was association with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as part of the Dundrum Festival 2017.
With the assistance of both of our Dundrum based event sponsors, Lisney and Joe Daly Cycles, we were able to promote an attractive and engaging event for the competitor and members of the community and beyond.
Lisney
Lisney's support enabled us to promote a Women's race. Lisney have been a long term partner for the Women's race, three years in a row. They covered the whole prize find for the Lisney Women's GP. The prize fund enabled us to run the only event that offered equal prize money to Men and Women. The prize money equality is an enormous point of pride for our club. Originally we had only planned to award prizes to the top eight and first unplaced Scott-Orwell Wheeler. On the day, the size of the field attracted to this event, enabled us to offer the additional prizes; Unplaced Junior, Prix de la Combativitié and two Primes.
For the last number of years, we ran the Scott-Orwell Wheelers Women's Crit League early in the season. We hope that the more and more women can use the Crit League as a springboard into the competitive ranks. Our aim is to support an increase of competitors in the Lisney Women's GP.
The Lisney Twizy, was the lead car for the Women's GP and the Stephen Roche GP. YouTube star, Cycling Maven, was really taken with the head turning car. Maven received a lift to his accommodation in the Twizy.
Joe Daly Cycles
Joe Daly Cycles have been a partner of Scott-Orwell Wheelers for many, many years. Their support of the Youth Races Prizes, provided us with the chance to reward the race performances of twenty-one underage riders. Rewarding their efforts, will hopefully retain the riders in the sport for the long term future. It has long-since been our mission to develop the youth scene here in Ireland. Our President, Denis Gleeson, and our Youth Development Team have been stewards of this mission statement. We look forward to the riders developing and becoming leaders in the sport's continued growth, by serving on their club's committees and organising events.
Bike Exchange
Bike Exchange are a new sponsor to Scott-Orwell Wheeler's Events. We were really excited that they came onboard for the Stephen Roche GP. Bike Exchange are also notable for their support of the Celtic Series of Sportives.
Their support enabled us to offer free sign-on for the Youth Races. This follows our stated mission of supporting and developing the youth scene in Ireland. We asked Bike Exchange why they choose to partner with us for this event:
"The Stephen Roche GP is one of those particularly special events in cycling culture. Not only is it a time-honoured testament to one of Ireland's greatest cycling families, but it combines local and loyal businesses, local emerging and established talent, and shows what can be created when everyone comes together selflessly. There was a really special feel about the 30th anniversary and we were delighted to be on board and grateful to Scott-Orwell for the opportunity."
Murphy & Gunn
Murphy & Gunn have been a supporter of our events, especially over the last year. For the nationals last year, Murphy & Gunn supplied the full fleet of race vehicles. Earlier this year, they sponsored the Noel O'Neill Trophy races and again supplied the race vehicles.
For the Stephen Roche GP, Murphy & Gunn's support enabled us to offer the prize fund that we did. The Roche GP is already an extremely prestigious race, but we can offer twenty prizes, it gives every rider in the field a target to aim for. They also provided the commissarie's car for the race.
We really appreciate all the event's sponsors. They enable us to run a fantastic event which draws out many members of the local community to enjoy our sport and creates an enjoyable atmosphere for the riders to compete in.
