Maiden City Crit expected to draw big crowd to Derry City centre

With a prize fund in excess of £1,000, Derry City centre will once again welcome a high class peloton for Tuesday night's fourth annual Maiden City Criterium which is expected to bring hundreds of spectators on to the streets to witness some high quality racing.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2016, 13:16 BST
Updated 6th Jun 2016, 15:22 BST
Foyle CC's Thomas McLaughlin leads the chase group up Shipquay Street over one of the previous Maiden City Criteriums.Foyle CC's Thomas McLaughlin leads the chase group up Shipquay Street over one of the previous Maiden City Criteriums.
Foyle CC's Thomas McLaughlin leads the chase group up Shipquay Street over one of the previous Maiden City Criteriums.

With the final line-up all but confirmed for the Foyle Cycling Club event, Christopher McGlinchey - who rode so impressively in the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan earlier this year - will go up against Roger Aiken, Adam Armstrong and Jason Henry among a strong field that should guarantee an exciting night’s racing.

Drawing crowds of 100s of spectators since 2012, the race is one of the blue ribbon cycling events to be held in Ulster and forms part of Derry city and Strabane District Council’s Big Bike Festival which is supported by Tourism NI.

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‘This is a fantastic event being hosted in the City and we’re delighted that Tourism NI recognises its importance to the City,” explained Ronan Gallagher, Foyle Cycling PRO.

The 2016 Maiden City Criterium route through Derry City centre.The 2016 Maiden City Criterium route through Derry City centre.
The 2016 Maiden City Criterium route through Derry City centre.

“We hope that the people of Derry will come out to encourage and cheer on the riders on what is one of Ireland’s most difficult circuits.”

The tightly knit streets of Derry make for some superb city centre racing and offer spectators an ideal vantage point to get up close and personal with the action as cyclists wind their way around the course which includes more than one punishing climb up Shipquay street.

Selective road closures will come into force from 6.00pm onwards on Tuesday evening for the event with Foyle Street, Shipquay Street, Ferrquay Street and Market Street forming part of the route.

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The adult races will be preceded by a junior ‘Sprocket Rocket’ race, which will be held in Foyle Street. With the first of the main category races set to commence at 8.00pm sharp. Spectators are asked to get to the circuit for 7.50pm while cyclists with the appropriate race licence can sign on at www.entrycentral.com/Maiden_City_criterium

Related topics:Derry City