Mayo To Host Third Cycling Stage Race

In as many weeks Mayo is still the hot bed for cycle racing in Ireland with the staging of the Marrey Bikes Ballinrobe 2day (August 6th&7th) for adult senior cyclists, The Junior Tour for U18 cyclist and the Youth tour have all used Mayo roads now its the turn of the seniors.

The 2 day race is now in its 7th year and has gone from strength to strength each year with up to 130 participants taking part.
Damien Shaw of Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar won last year's event as a third category rider, holding his nerve to beat all the first cat riders, he is back again in 2011 to defend his title, this year he is a much stronger rider but will have it all to do without the aid of a handicap.
This 2 day event is open to all categories from Juniors up, (A1,2,3 ) the event is handicapped so everyone gets a chance.

 The Women’s National development squad have entered a strong team along a Connacht senior squad and with teams from all over Ireland, the main contenders should come GB fire brigade, Kilcullen CC, UCD and Slaney CC the racing should be fierce, local clubs will be well represented with Castlebar’s Dave Brennan and Chris Troy been the favorites if it comes down to the 8K Time Trial while Western Lakes CC riders will be keen to show on home turf with Barry Holian and Mark Quigley beginning to show form of late.

This stage race has the jerseys; the cups and €2500 in prizes so why not make a long weekend of it and stay around to go horse racing on the Monday the 8th of August.
For the 2nd year running there will be a specially donated cup presented to the rider who scored the most points over the 2 days, the cup will be presented by the Mc Mahon family on behalf of their late son Ciaran Mc Mahon.

The Ballinrobe 2 day August 6th and 7th is the only Handicapped stage race in Ireland where Ladies, Juniors, and A3 riders can compete fairly with A and B riders.

This race is pre entry only and will be capped of at 140riders so enter early.

Marrey bikes are the main sponsors with Jersey sponsors Champion System UK & Ireland.

Route Details 
Saturday 6th August, 3pm start (Martin Munroe Memorial Cup for stage winner)
Sign on from 12Noon closing at 2pm sharp at cycling centre on Kilmaine road Ballinrobe

Stage 1  Ballinrobe-Partry, Tourmakeady, Maire Lukes 1st KOH, Killateeaun 2nd KOH, Maam Trasna 3rd KOH, Larches, Ail Duil 4th KOH, Dangerous decent, Kilmilkeen, Maam, Maimean 5th KOH, Cornamona, right for Cong, 2miles turn Left followed by 1.5miles left followed by 1.5 miles right at Dringeen for Ballinrobe, Kilimor bridge finish on drag 1.5miles from Ballinrobe at Ferrick’s hill.

Total distance 85kms

Sunday 7th August, 9.00am start, Sign on at the line reverse of GC
Stage 2A, 8km Time Trial, Kilmaine to Ballinrobe

Stage 2b 1pm start (Garhill Cup for stage winner)
Sign at the cycling centre from 12noon closing at 12.40sharp

Lap 1 Ballinrobe-The Neale- Cross- Glencorrib- Headford- Shrule- Kilmaine- Ballinrobe
Lap 2 the same with Finish outside the Cycling Centre on the Kilmaine Road .

Eileen Marrey Memorial Trophy for overall winner.

Western Lakes CC hopes that no serious delays are incurred and thanks motorist for their patients