Ennis, 15-20 July 2014
Route announced for Junior Tour of Ireland 2014
Race organiser Alice Sherratt as announced the details of the 2014 International Junior Tour cycling race scheduled to take place around the roads of County Clare once again from 15th -20th July.
Following on from the success at its new base in County Clare in 2013, the longest stage race for Junior Cyclists (16-18 years) in the world has confirmed the 532kilometres of road that the competitors from at home and abroad will cover over the 6 day event.
With the tough rolling roads once again proving a big test for the young riders who compete in this International event as a stepping stone towards competing in many future top level events, whoever the winner will be, will surely be a deserving one.
The defending champion is Banteer native in County Cork Eddie Dunbar. Eddie demolished the race in 2013 as a first year junior and has the rare opportunity to line out again in 2014 in a bid to be the first competitor to ever retain the title in the races long history.
He has been in scintillating for this season, clocking up the wins at Senior level against some of the best domestic Irish cyclists with his most impressive result at home being second in the monumental Shay Elliott Memorial in Co. Wicklow where he finished second to Damien Shaw who went on to win the best domestic rider prize in Mays An Post Rás professional race.
But like any stage race in the West of Ireland, nothing is a sure thing, and with the increased level of interest from abroad also in visiting the Mid West, it will certainly make for an interesting battle this coming July.
Entries are now open for this years event with the entry form and all stage details available at www.juniortourofireland.com
Stage 1: Time Trial, 6.2km Ennis – Drumquin
Stage 2: 116km – Ennis – Ennistimon – Lahinch – Cliffs of Moher Category 2 – Fanore – Black Head – Ballyvaughan – The Burren Category 3 – Kinaboy – Corrofin – Ennis
Stage 3: 123km – Ennis – Crusheen – Gort – Kinvara – Carron Category 3– Ballyvaughan – Corkscrew Hill Category 1 – Lisdoonvarna – Doolin – Castle Hill Category 1 – Cliffs of Moher Category 3 – Liscannor – Lahinch – Ennistimon
Stage 4: 118km – Mountshannon – Scarriff – Category 2 – Caher – Killaneana – Maghera Category 2 – Feakle – Bodyke – Tuamgraney – Ogonnelloe – Kilnabarnan Category 2 – Tuamgraney – Scarriff – Mountshannon – Whitegate
Stage 5: 101km – Ennis - Barefield – Crusheen – Killaneana – Kilcarron - O’Callaghans Mills – Broadford – Sallybank Category 2 – Truagh – Meelick – Windy Gap Category 2 – Sixmilebridge – Cratloe – Gallows Hill Category 1
Stage 6: 70km Circuit race. 7 laps of 10km circuit – Ennis – Ballyhea – Kildysart Road – Clonroadbeg - Ennis