Present at the announcement of Gas Networks Ireland’s sponsorship of the Visit Nenagh.ie Classic were, from left: Virginia O’ Dowd, chairperson of the race committee, Mark Holohan, National Sales Manager for Gas Networks Ireland, Michael Butler, cyclist, Paddy O’ Flaherty, New Connections Sales Rep, Gas Networks Ireland and Rene van Dam, race director.
Now in its fourth year the race continues to grow, is elevated to National League status and attracts a major title sponsor.
The Gas Networks Ireland Visit Nenagh.ie Classic will take place on Sunday April 19th and will feature races from A+/A1 A2, A3, A4 and Ladies, in addition to an extended race program including 28km team time trial on Saturday 18th. The event also invites the community to get involved in a 7Km fun family cycle starting and finishing on the town’s main street.
2015 will mark the fourth year of this event which this year enjoys elevation to National League status meaning points earned by riders will go towards the Irish Cyclist of the Year award. The Gas Networks Ireland Visit Nenagh.ie Classic is regarded by many as the leading one day race in Irish cycling and is unique in the sport in that it finishes in the town centre, which is closed to traffic for the duration of the event.
Already the leading riders in the country have signed up to this event. Having been described in advance by last year’s winner as “a hard man’s race” the numerous short but punishing climbs and the variety of terrains give it a true test of strength and endurance. Previous winner along with Shaw is Timmy Barry from Cork regarded as one of the strongest riders in recent years while Ryan Mullen and Eddy Dunbar, winners of the A3 as Juniors, are now enjoying life as pro cyclists abroad. Many in the cycling community describe this race as the closest thing we have in Ireland to the Belgian Spring Classics and testament to this is how the race is continuing to attract more international riders, with a ladies team from Wales making the trip this year as well as a men’s team from Holland. Chairperson of the organising committee Virginia O’ Dowd said: “I am really looking forward to the fourth edition of this great event. In just a short space of time the race is now one of the leading one day cycling events in the country attracting so many of our top riders. I am particularly delighted this year to welcome Gas Networks Ireland on board as our title sponsor, with their involvement we are looking to continue to develop and grow this already great event”.
The race programme has of course already become a 2 day event with the team time trial on the Saturday, unique on the Irish cycling calendar. Race director Rene van Dam explains: “The old N7 is the perfect parcours for such an event and with a team travelling from Holland for the Classic I thought it would be a nice idea to offer them something extra, hence the origin of the Saturday race”.
Another aspect of the race which makes it stand out on the Irish calendar is the finish on the main street with so many riders commenting on the wonderful support the race receives from the local authorities: “practically all the races we attend throughout the year finish outside towns but here in Nenagh we receive great feedback and appreciation from participants for making the effort to literally put cycling centre stage” Rene explains.
From the outset there has been a great working relationship between the organisers and the local authorities Marcus O’ Connor, Director of Nenagh Municipal District, said that Tipperary County Council was delighted to be one of the main sponsors of the Visit Nenagh.ie classic for the fourth year in a row.
“These races with their unique town centre finish are now firmly established in the Irish cycling calendar. The family fun cycle as well draws big numbers into the town and we wish the event every success”
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