The 2017 programme of races includes the Friends First Laragh Classic (A1/A2), The Women’s Friends First Laragh Classic and The Martin Vereker Memorial (A3/Junior). Both the Friends First Laragh Classic and the Women’s Friends First Laragh Classic are the respective final rounds of the Cycling Ireland National series 2017 with both races carrying double points. The ambitious new route is a fitting end to two exciting 2017 series.
The prize fund for both the Men’s and Women’s races is equal with the victor of each receiving €200.
The classic style course of the past four years has been altered to include the renowned Wicklow Gap which has not seen competitive bike racing since the 2014 An Post Rás. Beginning as always at the Brockagh Center in Laragh Village, the race will incorporate some familiar roads as it heads to Rathdrum and returns to Annamoe via Moneystown. Taking in the old course from Annamoe to Laragh it then heads up the Wicklow Gap descending to a right turn toward Valleymount. After Valleymount the race begins to turn for home and returns to Hollywood via the N81 before heading back up the eastern side of the Gap. The descent to Glendalough is followed by almost 2km of flat to the finish line outside the Brockagh centre. The course details can be seen
here.
The winner will require the full range of abilities on a testing course. The fifth name on the Wicklow Cobble trophy will be a deserving one and we are looking forward to presenting our ladies prize for the first time. High end racing through some of Irelands best scenery, we look forward to seeing you there.
