Drogheda Wheelers Cycling Club are proud to announce that Rás na nÓg 2019 will take place on April 13 th and 14 th . This will be the 12th edition of Ireland’s premier youth stage race event which was established in 2007 by late Chairman Peter Bidwell and long serving secretary Gerard Campbell.
For the fifth year now, the race will be based at Bellewstown Racecourse which is a fantastic amenity, allowing parents and supporters to see the participants every few minutes without them having to travel to different locations. Again, there will be three stages – made up of a Crit on Saturday Morning, a road-race on Saturday Afternoon and a final road stage on Sunday Morning.
Škoda Ireland have very fortunately backed our event for the third consecutive year, allowing us to develop the youth cyclists of Ireland and encourage them to reach their full potential. A great deal of gratitude is owed to them for their commitment to our race and the entire sport in general, and we thank them for their very generous support. A huge thanks also to Cycling Ireland for funding through their stage race grant aid program as well as all the club sponsors, supporters and volunteers.
Since 2007, Rás na nÓg has grown into Ireland’s largest and most popular stage race event for Irish youths, attracting competitors from every corner of the country – North, East, South and West. Participants and winners have gone on to become renowned international cyclists, world tour riders, European and World medallists. Although there must be winners (and losers!), Rás na nÓg aims to develop every youth cyclist and allow them the opportunity to challenge themselves during the weekend. New Race Director, Gearóid Campbell said at the launch of Rás na nÓg 2019, “It’s not about the winners, or the losers, Rás na nÓg focuses on keeping our youths interested in the sport and making sure they progress to junior and senior with the same interest that they have now!”. Along with the tremendous task of running a 3-stage youth event, the tremendous team at Drogheda Wheelers offer a full set of senior events also, on Saturday evening with the ‘Peter Bidwell Memorial’ which remembers the sorely missed founding figure of the race and again on Sunday afternoon with the ‘Coombes Connor Memorial’, remembering two important figures in the formation of the club.
Speaking ahead of this year’s event, Gearóid said that he “can’t wait to welcome everyone to the hill in Bellewstown for the 2019 edition” and to keep a close eye on updates and information about the race which will be rolling out in the next few weeks”.
Raymond Leddy from chief sponsor, Škoda Ireland, added “We are delighted to be involved for the third consecutive year with this event and welcome all the young cyclists to the North East for what promises to be an excellent weekend of racing”.
While former winner, Mark Downey, a recent world track medallist spoke with the Rás na nÓg team last week and said that “This race is what it’s all about – inspiring kids at this age for the future” and that he still holds it to be one of his biggest successes at youth level.
Eddie Dunbar from Team Sky who won several stages at RNÓ echoed Downey’s remarks, noting “this race brings not only a competitive atmosphere but also a social aspect, allowing people from all over the country get together for an entertaining weekends racing!”.
All information required (including entry forms and routes) can be found on droghedawheelers.ie, @RASNANOG on Twitter, Drogheda Wheelers Facebook Page or from Race Director, Gearóid Campbell on +353862739808 or by email at gearoidcampbell1@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you at Rás na nÓg (Sponsored by Škoda Ireland) for 2019, April 13th and 14th in Bellewstown Racecourse.
