The Travers Eng. Annaclone GP will once again play host to the opening road race of the Irish cycle road race calendar for 2025 on Saturday 1st March. Often cited and used as an early indicator of how well riders have prepared for a successful season, but it’s also an event that has a habit of unearthing talent that can cause upset to the seasoned performers.
In 2024 the main race catering for A1 & A2 riders produced a first; the same junior rider claiming victory 2 years in a row. That very talented local rider, Seth Dunwoody, had a hugely successful 2024 season throughout Europe and has moved up to the ranks of the UCI Continental Bahrain Victorious Development Team, a feeder team for the successful World Tour team Bahrain Victorious. The support race catering for A3 & A4 riders was won by Inspired Cycling’s Cameron Henry, another talented junior rider who went on to have a very successful season and has moved to the French based Under 19 Academy Région Sud powered by Giant team.
As per previous years, 2 races will be hosted by Banbridge CC on the day. The main feature race will follow tradition and offer riders a sporting handicap over 6 laps of the rolling Co Down circuit giving a total race distance of approx. 50 miles / 80 km, with the winner being awarded the Eddie Sands Memorial Cup. This race will cater for the new C+, C1 & C2 categories.
The support race will cover 4 laps of the same course giving a total distance of approx. 32 miles / 51 km. In addition to the Eddie Sands Memorial Cup for the winner of the feature race, the winner of the support race will be awarded the Travers Cup. The support race will cater for C3 category riders.
The event is classified as ‘Regional B’ grade under the revised Cycling Ireland event grading structure, offering points for the top 8 riders in both races. The usual circuit starting from the Hawthorn Inn will be used, taking in Richies Bridge before a sharp left through Annaclone Village, Mays Corner and Katesbridge before returning to the Hawthorn Inn via the Ardbrin Rd. A detailed course profile can be found here.
Entry for the 2025 edition of the Travers Eng. Annaclone GP is now open via Eventmaster, link here. The event is strictly pre-entry only, with entries closing at 21:00 on Wednesday 26th Feb. We’re pleased to hold the event pricing at £15 per rider as per recent editions.
The Event Information Manual can be downloaded here
All photos courtesy of Toby Watson.
2024 Winner of the Travers Eng Annaclone GP, Seth Dunwoody (Cannibal B Victorious)
Winner of the A3/A4 race in 2024, Cameron Henry (Inspired Cycling)
Donegal man Mitchell McLaughlin (All Human Velo Revolution RT) leads the chasing A1/A2 bunch in the 2024 edition.
Banbridge CC’s Dan Purdy and John Ervine lead the way in the 2024 A3/A4 race.
