Nine years after the demise of the Nissan Classic, the world's top professional cyclists look set to return to the roads of Ireland with the news that two events have been awarded a place on the international calendar for next year.
The biggest of the two contests which have been granted world-ranking status by cycling's governing body, the UCI, is a new cross-border North/South Tour of Ireland. The five-day race has been awarded an impressive 2.3 ranking, a major coup for race organisers Pat McQuaid and Alain Rushdon of L'Evenement.
Most first-time events are allocated lesser world-ranking points but this race is rated on the same level as well-regarded contests such as the Tours of Germany, Sweden and Portugal, and so will appeal to teams and riders looking to improve their value.
Further increasing the likelihood that the world's biggest professional squads will be attending is the new ruling that cycling's first division, which will be increased to 30 teams next season, will only be permitted to ride races of 2.3 ranking or greater.
According to McQuaid, the only other races to run during the North/South tour time slot of August 27th-31st will be a three-day in France and three single-day events in Italy, making the Irish event an attractive prospect for pro squads.
"There is a very good chance the teams will avail of the opportunity to ride this five-day in Ireland," said McQuaid. "I got very good feedback during the World Championships and think many squads will travel over, partially due to the ranking points and also because of our work with the Tour of Langkawi."
McQuaid is race director for that event and has seen it grow into one of the world's most respected new stage races.
McQuaid and Rushdon are still to finalise funding for the North/South Tour, but are confident it will go ahead in 2002.
"We were offered Government backing for the race this year but decided to wait until next season," says McQuaid. "That offer of funding should be available again for next year, and we should also be able to find commercial sponsorship, particularly as a number of broadcasters such as Eurosport have shown an interest.
"Part of the race's appeal is this cross-Border element, the idea for which came about due to the greater political co-operation of the last couple of years."
Also confirmed is world-ranking status for the single-day Shay Elliot Memorial race. Commemorating the feats of the first Irishman to wear yellow in the Tours of France and Spain, the race covers some of Wicklow's toughest roads.
Its new ranking of 1.5 brings it on a par with British events such as the Manx International and the Archer Grand Prix, making it all but certain that riders from the UK and elsewhere will travel to the April 28th fixture. And, with the FBD Milk Rβs already rated as a 2.5 event, Ireland will now have three races on the 2002 UCI international calendar.
