Ballinrobe Two day details
Now in its ninth year the Ballinrobe 2-Day on the 9thits own in a somewhat congested calendar of competitive road events. In a bidto keep the race fresh and interesting promoting club Western Lakes and theevent Directors have decided an overhaul of the routes was needed for 2014.With mass starts for the two road stages this year, the decisive moves and
wins as a result of handicapping seen in previously may not be so prevalent this
time round. Most prominent of these victories was last years coup on Stage 1
which saw Mel Spath, the Irish women’s road race champion, use the Handicap
to maximum advantage when she time trialled away from her ladies bunch at the
bottom of the Cat 1 climb of Lally’s mountain. In doing so she took all of the top
points for the next 4 climbs thus leading the mountains competition by a huge
margin and claiming all 3 jerseys going into the time trial.
The curtain opener on Stage 1 will undoubtedly be the assent of the Cat. 1 climb
of Lally’s Mountain which comes inside the first 30KM of racing. Position on this
one will be important forcing the ‘mountain goats’ to show their hand for the
remainder of the 110KM stage. However with four more categorised climbs to
come before the finish it will all still be to play for.
Stage 2A will see riders return to Lally’s Mountain for this year’s individual
time trial. This time the route will take competitors 5KM up the front of the
climb descended the previous day. A race of truth it should be with a steep
varying gradient in some sections, the latest aerodynamic equipment will not be
necessary here. Used for years by local cyclists as a gauge of form this stage
should reveal just that.
Stage 2B in the afternoon will be a matter of formality, or will it... With the
previous days climbing and the morning’s tester this stage will show see who has
made the most of their recovery. Again with a revised route the first 50KM will
see riders tackle some undulating terrain encompassing Clonbur, Cloughbrack,
Corrnamona and the outskirts of Cong. After the previous day’s leg burner the
two climbs in this stage will be mere pimples! After 50KM the race returns to
last year’s flat circuit for the finale. Riders will pass through the finish line in
the town three times before the finish with Primes to be had on some of the
laps.
The Ballinrobe GP on Sunday 10th
Stage 2B of the main race and will finish the first time the riders see the finish
banner in Ballinrobe after 60KM.
The race is sponsored by Marrey Bikes of Ballinrobe. This race has all the frills
with jerseys, Yellow (Overall) Green (Sprints) and Polkadot (Mountains) plus
4 perpetual trophies and cups for stage and overall winners. The addition of
A2 and A3 leader’s jerseys along with the Most Aggressive Rider jersey this
year should keep the racing interesting and lively on the road throughout the
weekend. We try and cater for every category with €2000 in prizes.
STAGE 2A: Sunday 10th August 5km Hill TT - Sign on at the line, first off at 8:30AM in jersey number order
STAGE 2B: Sunday 10th August 105km - Sign On 11:30-12:30 Start 1:00PMBALLINROBE GP
60km following same route as Ballinrobe 2-Day Stage 2B - Sign On 11:00-12:30PM Start 1:15PM
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