Cycling Ireland is delighted to announce that the first-ever Gravel National Championships will be held in 2024. As one of the fastest growing disciplines of global cycling, with several gravel events across Ireland in recent years, the popularity of the discipline proves a hit with both road and off-road riders.

Galway Bay Cycling Club will host to the inaugural championships, taking place over the weekend of September 21st and 22nd 2024.

As a first National Championships, the event is classified as a demonstration event and will therefore include Open and Women’s Championship races on Sunday, September 22nd. The National Championships will be combined age group, including Junior, Senior and Masters.

On Saturday, September 21st, a participation-based event will be held on the course for youth and leisure riders.

Galway Bay Cycling Club has been among the leading clubs in hosting gravel events in recent years, hosting competitive events such as the ‘Galway Classic’ and ‘The Bog Trials’ gravel racing series. The club has also ran hugely successful gravel leisure events, including the ‘Galway Gravel Grinder’.

Mick Ruane, Galway Bay Cycling Club said:

“Galway Bay Cycling Club is delighted to run the Gravel National Championships. The race will be run from Ryehill Demesne just outside Abbeynockmoy in east Co. Galway and will be run on a circuit consisting of gravel and boreen roads. The route will be very tough and the race is likely to break up into small groups due to the amount of gravel and technical corners. It is really a course for strong riders who can handle their bike - tire choice will be crucial in who comes out on top. We can’t wait to welcome the best riders in Ireland for what should be a great weekend.”

Further details, including technical information, course information, schedule, category prizes and a full preview will be released over the summer.