On Sunday 20th March Carlow Road Cycling Club will host the 35th edition of the Des Hanlon Memorial Classic, one of the true monuments of the Irish road racing calendar.
This is the third year that Carlow RCC will included a stand-alone women’s race on the Des Hanlon race program, but it is the first year that this race has formed part of the Women’s National League. Indeed this year The Des marks the opening round of our Joe Daly Cycles Women’s National League.
There can be no doubt that, like Ciara Doogan last year, and Fran Meehan in 2014, the winner of this year’s Des Hanlon Memorial will have earned her stripes as a women to be reckoned with for the racing season ahead!
Race details
Sign-on location is Tougher’s Restaurant, Dublin Road, Carlow Town.
Sign-on will be open from 10 – 11:30 am.
Race start time will be at 12noon.
Race distance: 57km
After a neutralised roll-out from the sign-on location at 11:45am, The Des Hanlon race circuit starts, and finishes, on the outskirts of Carlow Town. And in between the women’s race takes in three counties (Carlow, Laois, and Kilkenny) and three challenging climbs!
The women’s race will be one lap of the circuit, with the climbs peaking at 18km, 32km and at 42km. The good news being that after the third summit, its all downhill for 15km to the finish line!
Route map of the 57km circuit
Check out Carlow Road Cycling Club for comprehensive information on this year’s Des Hanlon Memorial Classic race, including link to route map. The club are very excited about the slightly altered circuit they have chosen for this year’s race:
“The new course is going to be very exciting offering the riders every terrain possible, from wonderful views,challenging climbs and super technical descents testing every rider to the max. This years series will have its own course signage , From directional arrows , kilometre markings and a road wide finishing line. Looking forward to a fantastic days racing” CRCC
The host club would also like us to bring to your attention that there will be no One Day Licences issued for this event.
To add extra motivation to you as you tackle the challenging Des Hanlon circuit, console yourself with the knowledge that you are also doing a bit of a Rás na mBanrecce… we are reliably informed that the main climb of Sunday’s race, up by the grotto, is due to feature on one of this year’s Rás na mBan stages.
Carlow Road Cycling Club have a perpetual trophy to award to the winner of this year’s Des Hanlon Women’s Race, and there are monetary prizes for the top 8 finishers. Of course there are also priceless Women’s National League points on offer to the first 8 riders to cross the finish line on Sunday!
Best wishes to everyone who will line on 20th March for Joe Daly Cycles National League Round 1
From Women's Commission