IRISH CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS POSTPONED

Citing safety and also the likelihood that many riders would be forced to miss the event, Irish cyclo-cross championship organiser Greg May has been forced to call off this Sunday’s race.

The course in St. Anne’s Park in Raheny is covered in snow but is itself rideable. However, the poor road conditions around the country have forced him to postpone the event, with a date of January 31st provisionally on the cards. This is subject to confirmation.

Robin Seymour won the 2009 edition in Lurgan Park, beating Conor McConvey and Conor Campbell to take what was an unprecedented sixteenth title.

May doesn’t want to take any chances and prefers to wait until the road conditions have improved. The exact date for the race will be confirmed next week, but it is almost certainly going to be either January 31st or February 7th.

“As we all know weather conditions have deteriorated and it has made it near impossible for public and private transport for many of us throughout the country,” he indicated this evening. “Many riders, particularly those from the north, have been in contact letting me know that they would not be able to travel to the race due to the weather.

“A decision between the organisation committee, Off Road Commission, and College of Commissares to postpone the event has been made today in light of conditions. It is a similar decision to that in the UK. As we want to promote this race to all CI riders, we needed to make this decision.

“There’s two reasons: firstly, I don’t want to run an unfair championship with some of the riders not being there. Secondly, I want to make sure that it is safe for everyone to travel to. It’s a pity as we rode the course this morning and it is unreal – it is actually riding better than ever, even though there’s a lot of snow on it. It is very technical and it would have been great in those conditions.

The race has been provisionally rescheduled for the last day of January, but that needs to be confirmed with the park authorities. Failing that, the race should take place one week later.

Irishcycling.com will communicate the new date as soon as possible.