200 cyclists will compete in the international Gorey 3-Day Cycle Race this weekend. Pic: Christy Farrell.
THIS YEAR’S Gorey 3-Day Cycle Race run on Saturday, Sunday and Easter Monday has been oversubscribed by 50, which means that a maximum field of 200 enthusiastic cyclists will contest the varied Gorey-Craanford-Camolin-Gorey circuit.
It promises to be an exciting spectacle, but can do without the drama of last year when a serious crash on the Carnew Road caused Saturday’s stage to be suspended.
The cyclists will arrive in Gorey on Saturday with the first stage from Blessington.
There will be a time trial on Easter Sunday morning on the Enniscorthy, and in the afternoon several laps of a loop between Craanford and Gorey, via Camolin, will take place.
The final stage is on Easter Monday taking the cyclists back to the starting point at Blessington.
Many clubs across Ireland will be represented, including an international team from Germany and the National Irish team.
Local interest will involve the participation of a team from Wexford Wheelers and a three-man team in the Gorey Cycling Club singlets – Murt Doyle, John Whyte and Joe Cristian.
The Irish Road Club has been running the Gorey 3-Day Race since 1966 – this is the 49th renewal of an event that has been won in the past by some of Ireland’s best known cyclists, including Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche.
It was originally a two day race, first held on St. Patrick’s weekend of that year. Back then it was a case of “entering on the line” and 67 riders braving it out that weekend.
Since then it has grown to be one of the most prominent races on the Irish calendar, developing into a 3-Day race and attracting good crowds each Easter.
Chief club member, Alice Sherratt, has been organising the race in its current format for several years now and is looking forward to another exciting sporting event next weekend.
