Route Announced for Irish International Junior Tour 2010

The 2010 edition of the Irish International Junior Tour will take place from July 6th to 11th around the magnificent Co. Mayo countryside. Race Headquarters remains the same as previous years at the wonderful Lough Lannagh Holiday Village in Castlebar.

Race Director Alice Sherratt today announced this years route, highlighting a few differences to previous editions, potentially making for 6 days of great racing.

Stage 1 (Sponsored By Ken Duffs Pub, Bray) will remain the same, with a 4 kilometre Mountain Time Trial, finishing on top of the Windy Gap.

Stage 2 (Sponsored by the I.V.C.A) is based entirely out of the Coastal town of Westport. 105 kilometres in length, the riders will travel from Westport to Louisberg, taking in some magnificent scenery on the road to Delphi and Leenane. Three categorized climbs including the Category 1 climb of Maam Trasna, all come in the second half of the stage before finishing back at Westport.

Stage 3 (Sponsored by Cycling Leinster) is the Ballycastle stage. Starting from Race HQ at Lough Lannagh Holiday Village in Castlebar the riders will race 113 kilometres around the North Mayo Coast. Three Category 2 Climbs will greet the riders along the Atlantic Coast before the hill top finish in Ballycastle.

Stage 4 (Sponsored by Achill Tourism Board) promises to be an epic. 91 kilometres based entirely on Achill Island and finishing on Achill sound. Again the riders will never be too far away from the Atlantic Coast as they tackle the hilly island roads.

Stage 5 (Sponsored by Pat Dowd and friends) starts and finishes 88 kilometers later back in Castlebar. Although there is only a Category 2 and a Category 3 climb on the stage, the heavy Mayo roads along with 4 days racing already in the riders legs could still throw up a hard days racing for all.

Stage 6 starts in Castlebar, and although is only 68 kilometres in length, the various competition leaders will need to have their wits about them as no doubt, they will have a fight on their hands. For anything can happen in the closing stages of the 2010 Irish International Junior Tour when the riders tackle the WindyGap Category 1 climb up to the finish.

Entries are now open for this year's event. It already promises to be six days of excellent racing with a strong international element. Cyclists from U.K, Isle of Man, USA, Holland, Belgium and South Africa have already expressed an interest in competing at this year's event as well as Irish National, Regional and Club teams.

For enquiries contact Alice Sherratt 087-2929913 info@irishroadclub.com

Download an entry form.

For more details see Irish Cycling's website