The Travers Eng. Annaclone GP will once again play host to the opening road race of the Irish cycle road race calendar for 2026 on Saturday 28th February. Often cited and used as an indicator of what riders have prepared adequately for a successful season, but it’s an event that also has a habit of unearthing talent that can cause upset to the seasoned performers.
In 2025 the main race catering for C1 & C2, seasoned international rider Mitchel McLaughlin of the UK based Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team claimed victory ahead of ex-international Kevin McCambridge and Bryan McCrystal. In the C3 Support race junior sensation Curtis McKee made headlines with a dominant debut win. Banbridge CC rider John Ervine led the bunch home ahead of Richard Topping of Killinchy CC.
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 with a sporting handicap for 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 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 2026 edition of the Travers Eng. Annaclone GP is now open via Eventmaster, here. The event is strictly pre-entry only, with entries closing at 21:00 on Thursday 26th Feb.
