Ireland's largest cycling club, Orwell Wheelers are proud to present the Stephen Roche GP in association with Dundrum Town Centre as part of the Dundrum Festival 2016.

The Stephen Roche GP is Ireland's most prestigious criterium race, running annually since 1995. The challenging but spectator-friendly circuit invariably produces great racing action for the crowd lining the roadsides and congregated in the central green area.The 1.3km loop is located in the housing estate where no less than three of the Roche family took their first tentative pedal strokes on the road to Tour de France glory.

Established as one of the 'must do' events on the Leinster racing calendar, the Roche Grand Prix traditionally boasts a who's who of Irish road racing talent with the top short circuit racers in the country doing battle for one of local racing's most prestigious trophies.

Past winners include professional cyclist and Orwell Wheelers member Nicolas Roche in 2008. Son of Stephen Roche, Nicolas' palmarès include both the Irish National Road and Time Trial Championships, as well as a stage of the Vuelta a España. He is currently riding for Team Sky in the Critérium du Dauphiné.

The late Paul Healion won the Roche GP three times, including 2009 to become National Criterium Champion. 2011 winner Felix English went on to become 2012 National Criterium Champion, and is now riding for Continental team JLT Condor.

See below for a full list of past winners.

For the second year in a row, the Stephen Roche GP will feature a women's race, the Lisney Orwell Wheelers Women’s GP. Thanks to Lisney this race will have a prize fund equal to the men’s race.

Just as last year, the men's and women's races will feature equal prize money, for a total placing prize fund of over €1,000. There will be prizes for the top 8 in the women's race, as well as first unplaced Orwell Wheeler. In the men's race, there will also be prizes for the top 8, as well as the first two unplaced A2s, first two unplaced A3s, and first unplaced Orwell Wheeler. There is no entry for A4 riders.

This year there will be a €50 prize for the most competitive rider in both races. This combativity award, or Prix de la Combativitié is being sponsored by Dundrum Credit Union.

Before the senior events, there will be youth racing for licenced U12s, U14s and U16s. Sign-on for those events is on the green in the centre of the circuit, from 17.30-18.30. Sign-on is free for youth riders, thanks to Joe Daly Cycles.

The night will open with novice racing, just for fun, open to any child from the ages of three to sixteen who wants to try their hand at bike racing.

This year, the action takes place on Tuesday June 21st - this is to avoid the event clashing with the European Football Championships. The evening will kick off with novice and youth races from 18.45, the Lisney Women's GP at 19.20, and the Stephen Roche GP in association with Dundrum Town Centre at 20.00.

Sign-on is in Ballinteer Community School from 18.00, closing at 18.50 for women, and 19.30 for men. €15 for Seniors, €5 for Juniors.

Sponsors

Orwell Wheelers are delighted to welcome three sponsors on board to help with this promotion.

Dundrum Town Centre is the title sponsor, providing the prize fund for the men's event.

Dundrum Town Centre

 

Lisney Dundrum is sponsoring the women's event, providing a prize fund to match the men's.

 

Dundrum Credit Union is sponsoring the Prix de la combativitié.

 

The youth races will have no sign-on fee, thanks to the Dundrum institution of Joe Daly Cycles.

 

Directions

Coming from the M50 Northbound take Exit 13, Signed "Sandyford/ Dundrum";
Take the 2nd exit at the first roundabout, signed "Dundrum";
After approximately 1km you'll hit the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit, signed "Dundrum";
Pass under the motorway, and take the 1st exit at the next roundabout, signed "Rathfarnham";
Straight on for approximately 1.5km, then turn right directly before the Lidl supermarket, signed "Nutgrove";
After 800 metres you come to a mini roundabout;
For Senior riders turn right here, car parking and sign on is in Ballinteer Community School on the left hand side;
For Youth riders go straight on at the mini roundabout;
Take the 3rd exit at the next roundabout onto Barton Road East;
Take the first turn right and sign on is on the green directly in front of you.

Coming from the M50 Southbound take Exit 13, Signed "Sandyford/ Dundrum";
At the roundabout exiting the motorway take the 1st exit , signed "Rathfarnham";
Straight on for approximately 1.5km, then turn right directly before the Lidl supermarket, signed "Nutgrove";
After 800 metres you come to a mini roundabout;
For Senior riders turn right here, car parking and sign on is in Ballinteer Community School on the left hand side;
For Youth riders go straight on at the mini roundabout;
Take the 3rd exit at the next roundabout onto Barton Road East;
Take the first turn right and sign on is on the green directly in front of you.

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Yo2oW

Lap: Strava - Ride with GPS

 

Past winners - Men's Race

1995 Scott McDonald (Orwell Wheelers)
1996 Aidan Duff (Bray Wheelers)
1997 Stephen O'Sullivan (Coors)
1998 Aidan Duff (Bray Wheelers)
1999 S. Whelan (Swords)
2000 Paul Healion (Usher IRC)
2001 Ray Clarke (Classic Walls)
2002 Graham Thomas (Finglas Ravens)
2003 Brian Ahern (Naas Fig rolls)
2004 Colm Bracken (DHL Walls Cycles)
2005 Paul Healion (Bio Agrico)
2006 Morgan Fox (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn group)
2007 Philip Lavery (Usher IRC)
2008 Nicolas Roche (Credit Agricole)
2009 Paul Healion (South Dublin CC)
2010 Mike Reddan (South Dublin CC)
2011 Felix English (Science in Sport)
2012 Philip Lavery (Node 4 Giordana)
2013 Con Collis (UCD)
2014 James Davenport (South Dublin CC)
2015 Jake Gray (Magnet)

Past winners - Women's Race

2015 Fiona Meade (Fearless Femme)