Ballymena Send Vets Team to The Irish Nationals

Thursday, June 20, 2013
Ballymena RC will be represented in the National veterans’ cycling championship this weekend at Carlingford when Michael Carroll, Ryan Currie, Chris Beattie and C Grant will line up in Ireland’s premier one day race.
 
Cuchulainn Cycling Club has officially been appointed as the promoter of the 2013 National Cycling Championships for Elite men and women and also the vets Championship. A Cuchulainn official outlined the details. "These Championships, comprising both a road race and time trial, are the most prestigious one day cycling events in the country and will take place at Carlingford Village which is ideally located, being equidistant between both Dublin and Belfast.
 
The Elite race will hopefully attract Ireland’s top cyclists including Tour de France stars Nicholas Roche and Dan Martin, Olympic Star and World Champion Martyn Irvine. The riders will do battle for the right to wear the prestigious National Champions Green Jersey for the next year and more importantly in the Tour De France which will be starting the following weekend.
 
The action will kick off with a Time Trial on the evening of Thursday, June 20th. This event is held over 40 kilometres.
 
On Saturday 22nd, the action switches to road racing with the National Ladies and Veterans races. The circuit for the road race will cover laps of a 14.4km route with 61m of climbing, per lap, on a mixture of both main and rural roads. The route will incorporate some stunning scenery including views of Carlingford Lough, The Cooley and Mourne Mountains as well as passing through the streets of the medieval village.
 
Sunday June 23rd will see the main event, when Ireland’s top stars line up to see who will be crowned Irish Cycling Champion for 2013. The event is Ireland’s biggest one day race and the only single day event in the country with valuable UCI points up for grabs. The race will be contested over a grueling 172km with riders passing through Carlingford village 14 times. The relatively flat circuit should make for an attacking, fast paced race. 2012 winner and Pro-Tour rider Matt Brammeier will be hoping to retain his title and have the honour of wearing the National Champions Jersey for a further 12 months.”