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Members of Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club set to host The Lacey Cup on Sunday March 3rd Photo by George Doyle, Neustock Media.
THE 69th edition of the Lacey Cup hosted by Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club will be held on Sunday, March 3,
As is customary, the Lacey Cup will be the grand opener to the Munster Road Racing season. The challenging 75 km circuit always lends itself to aggressive racing with cyclists eager to test themselves and to show some good early season form.
Some of Ireland’s top riders will be in action on the day, all intent on taking home the coveted Lacey Cup. Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club will also offer a generous prize fund of €1,200.
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The A4 race will be run separately to the main A1/A2/A3 race. In a departure from the norm, John Mitchels GAA (V92 N522) will be the new race HQ and venue.
The races will have a single 3km neutralised roll out from John Mitchels. Departure from the HQ will be at 12:15pm sharp.
Following a brief stop, racing will officially commence from George Poff’s Garage on the Dingle Road at 12.30 and will pass through Blennerville at 12.35, Camp (13.00), Upper Camp, Gleann na nGealt (13.10), Annascaul (13.25), Inch (13.30), Boolteens (13.50), Castlemaine (13.55), Sliabh Mish (14.05) and finishing at 14.15 at the 60kph speed sign opposite Skehanagh Cross on the Killorglin Road on outskirts of Tralee.
The main A1/A2/A3 race is run on a handicap basis consisting of 3 groups with the first group of A3 category riders, followed by the A2 category riders, and finally the group of elite A1 category riders.
The separate A4 race will start approximately 5 mins after the A1 riders are underway and will follow the same race route.
The first prime of the race is Gleann na nGealt and will likely be hotly contested between the A3 riders.
Following Gleann na nGealt, the A1 and A2 groups will work hard to catch the race leaders as they head towards Inch. After Castlemaine the riders will climb Sliabh Mish mountain and contest the second prime for The Teddy Griffin Memorial Cup.
Sliabh Mish mountain is usually where the race is broken up into a small group of elite A1 and A2 riders, with the expected winner coming from these groups.
Entry fee is €30, and registration is online only. Link to: 2024 Lacey Cup Registration. Sign-on at race HQ will also be required between 10:00 and 11:30 on the morning of the event.
Regrettably the entry cost has increased this year due to the significant rise in expenses associated with running the event in 2024.
It all promises to be an exciting day of racing with plenty of action along the route to keep spectators entertained. Presentation of prizes will be at John Mitchels GAA, where there will be refreshments along with access to showers and changing rooms.
To celebrate the Lacey Cup, Manor West Hotel are also offering a discounted accommodation rate. For full details, call 066 7194500 and quote ‘Lacey Cup 2024’ to avail of offers.
For event updates follow us on social media or for further information please email traleebc.secretary@gmail.com
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