The John Beggs Memorial is back for 2018 and once again looks set be a highlight of the Irish cycling calendar on Saturday 11th August. Using the same course as in 2017, which proved to be popular with riders and spectators alike, the event will play host to the 5th round of the Cycling Ireland National Road Series and is sure to attract the best of Ireland’s elite men and women.
The 30km circuit takes the riders out of Dromore, winding and rolling through the villages of Kinallen and Dromara with the Mourne mountains as a backdrop, making their way toward Hillsborough before they turn back once again in the direction of Dromore. With the climbs of Ballykeel Hill, Kinallen and Ballykeel scattered around the circuit, mass bunch finishes are an unlikely outcome for most races. All races will exit the circuit for the final run into Dromore town before the final climb to the finish line atop Mount St.
There will be 4 races hosted on the day; The Men’s A1/A2 race and the Women’s race will both be part of the National Road Series and will be supported by two separate races accommodating the A3 & A4 category riders.
The A1/A2 men will complete 4 laps to give them approx. 128km of racing, while the Women and A3 races will both cover 3 laps for total race distance of 98km. The A4 race will complete 2 laps, giving them 68km.
We’ve been delighted to see the continued rise in standard of the Women’s field competing in the National Series events and, subject to a minimum entry or 30 riders, will be rewarding both the men and women’s National Series races with an equal and generous prize pot of over £750 cash each covering the top 8 riders, with both winners pocketing £200 for their efforts.
Winner of the 2017 John Beggs Memeorial, Adam Stenson, has went on to become a regular on the Irish National U23 team and currently is based with Swiss Elite National Team Speeder Cycling Team, while the winner of the 2017 women’ race, Eve McCrystal, has since added to her already lengthy and impressive palmarès and is a current reigning World, Paralympic and National Champion.
All races will be pre-entry and will open for registration on Monday 30th July on the Cycling Ireland Azolve website at a cost of £15. Riders are asked to pre-enter to assist with event administration and management including the live race updates which will be available via the Banbridge CC Twitter stream. Entry on the day, subject to availability, will be at a cost of £20 per rider.
All races will start at 12 noon and will roll out from the new Event HQ at Dromore High School
Further detail of the event, including the Race Information Manual, will be made available via the Banbridge CC social media on both Facebook and Twitter in the coming days and weeks in the run up to the registration window and the event itself
#TheBeggs18
All photos thanks to The Belgian Project