Early Season Open Races 2023

Hi all,
The road season kicks off this week. For those of you relatively new to this lark, here's a rundown of the upcoming races in the Leinster area.

Saturday 4 March
Dublin Wheelers Open Races (aka Mick Lally Memorial)
eventmaster.ie/event/lnq4TV8HPO
3 Races: A1/A2, A3, and A4

The circuit for this should be familiar to people who have raced the club league as it uses the Dorey's Forge Circuit. Another selling point is it's also one of the few open races where it's feasible to cycle out and back from. Start is just after the Summerhill Roundabout with the finish line at the top of Dorey's Forge. 

One of the obvious key points in the race is the short sharp climb up Dorey's Forge. However, don't take your eye off the ball once you go over the top. It's easy to lose position if you don't descend well, particularly the sweeping right hander and you also need to watch out for the subsequent drag back up to junction where you turn left back on to the Summerhill - Dunboyne Road. Strong riders will often use this section to force move. If you're still in the mix on the final lap, I'd advise moving into the top 10 of the bunch before the final left hand turn to the finish. The road approaching  Dorey's Forge is narrow and it'll be hard to move up. If you're in a good position, you'll need to fight to maintain it, which means constant movement on your part, since everyone else will be trying to move up as well. Don't launch your sprint too early. It's a longer effort than it looks. 

Sunday 5 March
Seamus Kennedy Memorial (Navan)
eventmaster.ie/event/oP4BCk3tLm
5 Races: A1, A2, A3, A4, Women

Key selling point with this one is the number of separate races, which will be of particular interest to the A2s and Women. Note that if you did this race last year, it won't be on the same circuit. Instead they're going back to the old circuit (ridewithgps.com/routes/41864171) that was used when this promotion was known as the Cycleways Cup.

Key point on this circuit is a long 5km climb that comes just after the left hand turn near Slane. It's probably best described as a long drag with a few little kickers thrown into it. Expect selections to happen here. If you're in survival mode, try to make sure you're near the front of the bunch heading into it, so you have some wiggle room to fall back without getting dropped. If splits do happen dig in and keep riding. You'll often see groups come back together again. 

Saturday 11 March
Ras Naomh Finian (Moyvalley)
eventmaster.ie/event/KnBOtpnHGx
5 Races: A1, A2, A3, A4, Women

I don't have much info to share on this one as they're no long using the old out and back circuit and have moved to a new 25km lap this year (clonardroadclub.com/2023-ras-naomh-finian). Organisers are promising a separate A2 race if they get enough entries.

Sunday 12 March
Newbridge Grand Prix
eventmaster.ie/event/wzy9fPySRQ
5 Races: A1, A2, A3, A4, Women

Five races again here but note the earlier start time for A4 and Women.

This is one of those races that is harder than it looks on paper (www.strava.com/segments/971310). The first test is Boston Hill, which comes about 6km, after the first left hand bend. It's short sharp brute of a climb, about 1km in length. Grit your teeth and bully your way up. No sooner are you down off Boston Hill but you've then got to face the long drag at Dunmurray which comes immediately after the next junction. It's a little under 3km and while a much gentler rise than Boston, there's a few kickers on the way up. After Dunmurray it's mostly downhill all the way to the finish line. If you're too far back, you'll find it hard to get into contention.