PRESS RELEASE
Nenagh is getting ready for the fourth edition of the Gas Networks Ireland Visit Nenagh.ie Classic. During a launch last week the new title sponsor Gas Network Ireland was presented to the press which give the race another push towards a positive future in cycling in North Tipperary. What started as a one day of cycling in North Tipperary has now become a 2 day cycling festival with a difference. The race is now included on the renewed National League , an initiative from Cycling Ireland. On Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of April 2015 well in excess of over 500 cyclists are expected to participate in a variety of cycling events in and around the North Tipperary town.
The cycling festival will kick off on the Saturday with a Team Time Trial on the old N7 between Five Alley and Birdhill over a 28.3 km distance. Twice winners of Team Time Trial NWVG Fiets vooreen Huis from the Netherlands are destined to come back to Nenagh to defend their title on this special discipline. 10 teams took part in the event last year but that number is expected to grow due to the popularity of this skillful event.
Nenagh town centre will be heart of all activities on Sunday the 19th. First race to hit the scenic roads of North Tipperary is the A4 category, closely followed by a new added element to the Visit Nenagh.ie Classic, a separate Ladies race. The first 2 races of the day will use a new 80 km route including extensive use one of the longest dedicated cycle paths in the country the old N7 , before they descend towards the villages of Silvermines , Dolla and Templederry. Via rolling roads the riders will return to Nenagh where the finish is laid out for the riders in the town centre. Ladies racing Team Onit from Wales will also visit Nenagh for 2 days of epic racing.
The classic distance 160 km main race will depart at 11.30am, shortly followed by the A3 category riders who will cover a tough 115 km. The 160 and 115km routes are slightly changed from previous years, after returning back to Nenagh via the climbs of Portroe, Shallee , Chapel Hill, Four roads and Coum the journey continues towards Dolla and Templederry. The final climb towards Toomevara is the final legbreaker in the route before the riders return back to Nenagh where a unique town centre finish awaits the riders. Timmy Barry of the Aqua Blue team won the main event in 2012 and 2013, last year's winner Damien Shaw is already confirmed to return for a showdown on the Tipperary roads accompanied by full support from his newly formed Team Asea. The Dutch NWVG Fiets voor een Huis also mean business for this year's Classic , travelling with 8 riders from the north of the Netherlands. The A3 support race was won in 2012 Ryan Mullen (anPost CRC) and in 2013/2014 by Eddie dunbar (NFTO), while National Ladies champ Fiona Meade won the first Ladies race in 2014.
There will be a festival type atmosphere adding to the experience for the spectator and cyclist alike. This is the norm in many European countries with races such as “Paris Roubaix” “Amstel Gold” and “The Tour of Flanders” being among their host countries largest annual sports event. We are extending a warm welcome to both cyclists and their families and others who plan to come to Nenagh that day and to others from near and afar who would like to come along and support or just enjoy the activities and hospitality in Nenagh on the 19th of April.
There will also be an opportunity for families to come out and participate in a family fun cycle, a 45 min route on fabulous refurbished cycling paths around the town is on offer . Over 200 cyclists took part in the Family Fun Cycle in 2014 and efforts are being made to grow the number of participants this year, which is hosted by the North Tipperary Sports Partnership. The Gas Networks Ireland Visit Nenagh.ie Classic is organised by Visit Nenagh.ie Team DMG, a dedicated cycling development team based in Nenagh. Not only is the team very active in hosting the very prestigious Gas Network Ireland Visit Nenagh.ie Classic and the 2013 staging of the an Post Ras, its riders are also very successful on the road. Courtesy of multiple National road race champion Mehall Fitgerald and Eoin Mccarthy the Nenagh.ie backed team scooped multiple county rider stage jerseys during last 2 editions of the an post Ras. The Gas Networks Ireland Visit Nenagh.ie Classic and Visit Nenagh.ie team is made possible with the help and support of Gas Networks Ireland, Tipperary County Council , Nenagh.ie and many local sponsors.
For more info and pre entry please visit Nenagh.ie
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