First ever mountain finish planned for Gorey Three Day stage

The Gorey Three Day has already undergone some changes in recent seasons and this year’s edition of the race looks set to raise the pain level even higher in the south east during the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.

The organisers are planning the first mountain stage finish to the race, as well as introducing a new category, with leader’s jersey, for junior women. That new female junior category comes after the race has been designed to better cater for women in recent years.

However, while the addition of the junior women’s category is really welcome – and will be hard fought – it’s the addition of a mountain-top finish that will garner the riders’ attention; creating as much concern as it will excitement.

The addition of a mountain finish comes after Rás Mumhan added a new upfill finish last year, Kerryman’s Table, to stage 3 years after the feared Connor Pass ascent was last used for a stage finish in The Kingdom.

“A new stage is being developed and the final details will be announced soon,” the Gorey Three Day race organisers said in a brief statement on Friday afternoon.

“It is hoped the stage two road stage will finish on the White Heaps Mountain on the Wicklow-Wexford border. The first time we have a pure mountain finish.”

The race will once again be based around Gorey, rather than racing to and from the Co Wexford town on the first and final stages. Once again, four stages are in store and one of those will be a TT.

“We are planning on opening a new racing category of junior women’s complete with leaders jersey,” the organisers also confirmed. “This will run along side the overall women’s leader . This is to keep pushing our commitment to women’s racing here in Ireland.”