National Road Series Set for 2016
National Men’s Road Series Back Again after Successful Inaugural Year
Cycling Ireland’s National Series for Men’s Road Racing will once again take place in 2016. The Series which rolled out for the first time last year was a resounding success, offering riders top competition throughout the race season. The road racing series, primarily aimed at A1 and A2 riders, comprises of twelve races, with the best five scores of a rider counting provided they compete in three provinces. The National Road Series events sit within existing races across the four provinces.
The unique structure of the series offers an exciting element to the race scene, encouraging riders to compete consistently throughout the season, and thus pushing up the standard of racing for all riders. Where in previous National Leagues all events counted towards the overall, this series sees each province hosting three counting rounds, with a rider’s best five scores counting. The rider must compete across three provinces. All riders will receive 10 points for participating, with increased points offered to the top 20 riders.
Winner of the National Series in 2015, Bryan McCrystal, is looking forward to competing in this year’s series,
“I’m looking forward to racing in this year’s National Series. It’s great to have a league like this to keep more people focused for the entire season. The key is to keep consistent in the races. It was a great honour to win the inaugural series and I’m looking forward to defending my title in 2016.”
The National Series this year will enjoy increased branding and signage. Along with each events individual Prize Fund, Cycling Ireland are putting up €3,000 for the overall top ten positions, including the top unplaced rider in each province.
The series kicks off in Munster on 13th March, with the full list of counting events below –
| Date | Province | Event |
| 13th March | Munster | Ras Luimni |
| 19st March | Ulster | Wallace Caldwell |
| 20th March | Leinster | Des Hanlon |
| 3rd April | Connacht | Davis Cup |
| 10th April | Leinster | Stamullen GP |
| 17th April | Munster | Visit Nenagh Classic |
| 15th May | Leinster | Shay Elliott Memorial |
| 12th June | Connacht | Donamon GP |
| 10th July | Munster | Tralee Manor West GP |
| 24th July | Connacht | Brian McNamara Memorial |
| 13th August | Ulster | John Beggs Memorial |
| 21st August | Ulster | North Down GP |
PRIZE FUND
| Position | Amount |
| 1st | €670 |
| 2nd | €470 |
| 3rd | €300 |
| 4th | €250 |
| 5th | €210 |
| 6th | €180 |
| 7th | €160 |
| 8th | €140 |
| 9th | €120 |
| 10th | €100 |
| Unplaced Provincial rider | €100 x 4 |
| Total | €3000 |