Lacey Cup 2024 Sunday 2rd March - 70th Edition!
The 70th edition of the Lacey Cup hosted by Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club will be held on Sunday, March 2rd. As is customary, the Lacey Cup will be the grand opener to the Munster Road Racing season.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Location: Tralee, County Kerry
New Start Time: 11:00 am (one hour earlier than previous editions)
Race HQ: John Mitchels GAA Field, offering full facilities for participants, including sign-on, changing rooms, showers, and refreshments post-race
Race Format: In line with Cycling Ireland's updated category structure and race classifications, the 2025 Lacey Cup will be conducted as a Regional B Race with the following structure:
Handicapped C1/C2 Race
Separate C3 Race
The challenging 72km circuit always lends itself to aggressive racing with cyclists eager to test themselves and to show some good early season form. The race always draws a large field of riders, with over 200 competing in recent years. 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.
The races will have a single 3km neutralised roll out from Mitchels GAA. Departure from the HQ will be at 11:10am sharp. Following a brief stop, racing will officially commence from George Poff’s Garage on the Dingle Road at 11.30 and will pass through Blennerville at 11.35, Camp (12.00), Upper Camp, Gleann na nGealt (12.10), Annascaul (12.25), Inch (12.30), Boolteens (12.50), Castlemaine (12.55), Sliabh Mish (13.05) and finishing at 13.15 outside Skehanagh Cross on the Killorglin Road on outskirts of Tralee.
The main C1 & C2 race is run on a handicap basis consisting of 2 groups with the first group of C2 category riders, followed by the C1 category riders.
The separate C3 race will start approximately 5 mins after the C1 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 C2 riders. Following Gleann na nGealt, the C1 and C2 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 with the expected winner coming from this groups.
Entry fee is €30, and registration is online only.
Entry Link: TO FOLLOW
Sign-on at race HQ will also be required between 09:00 and 10:30 on the morning of event.
It all promises to be an exciting days 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.
For event updates follow us on social media or for further information please email
traleebc.secretary@gmail.com
Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3196781425081498010
