2011 Junior Tour of Ireland

Castlebar, Co. Mayo 12th- 17th July 2011

13th June 2011

The 2011 Junior Tour of Ireland takes place once again in the stunning West of Ireland. Based out of Lough Lannagh Holiday Village in Castlebar the 6 day event for Juniors will cover 450 kilometers over 6 days of racing. The route remains unchanged from 2010 and so should prove to be an exciting challenge for Junior Riders at home and abroad.

Stage 1 ( Sponsored By Ken Duffs Pub, Bray) will remain the same, with a 4 kilometre Mountain Time Trial, finishing on top of the Windy Gap.

Stage 2 (Sponsored by the I.V.C.A) is based entirely out of the Coastal town of Westport. 105 kilometres in length, the riders will travel from Westport to Louisberg, taking in some magnificent scenery on the road to Delphi and Leenane. Three categorized climbs including the Category 1 climb of Maam Trasna, all come in the second half of the stage before finishing back at Westport outside the Railway station.

Stage 3 ( Sponsored by Chris Farrell of Ballycastle) is the Ballycastle stage. Starting from Race HQ at Lough Lannagh Holiday Village in Castlebar the riders will race 113 kilometres around the North Mayo Coast. Three Category 2 Climbs will greet the riders along the Atlantic Coast by the Ceide Fields before the hill top finish in Ballycastle.

Stage 4 (Sponsored by Achill Tourism Board) promises to be an epic. 91 kilometres based entirely on Achill Island and finishing on Achill sound. Again the riders will never be too far away from the Atlantic Coast as they tackle the hilly island roads including the stunning Category 1 climb of Minnaun.

Stage 5 starts and finishes 88 kilometers later back in Castlebar. Although there is only a Category 2 and a Category 3 climb on the stage, the heavy Mayo roads along with 4 days racing already in the riders legs could still throw up a hard days racing for all.

Stage 6 starts in Castlebar, and although is only 68 kilometres in length, the various competition leaders will need to have their wits about them as no doubt, they will have a fight on their hands. For anything can happen in the closing stages of the 2011 Junior Tour of Ireland when the riders tackle the WindyGap Category 1 climb up to the finish.

Early indications show that many of the visiting teams from the 2010 event will be making their return to Ireland.

Entries are now open. For more information visit www.juniortourofireland.com