Dear Bray Wheelers,
The 2025 racing season is set to be one of the biggest yet, with iconic events, exciting new races, and incredible sponsorship support. Here’s what’s ahead of us :
The Shay Elliott Memorial – May 11
One of Ireland’s most prestigious one-day races returns on May 11! Our iconic race is a real test of endurance and skill, attracting Ireland’s strongest riders. This will be the 67th edition of ‘The Elliott’.
Exciting News: We are delighted to welcome Trinity Skoda (Wicklow Town) as the official sponsor of the Shay Elliott Memorial. Their support will help us elevate the race and ensure another thrilling edition of this iconic event. A huge thank you to Trinity Skoda for backing this legendary race!
“At Trinity Škoda, we are proud to partner with Bray Wheelers for the 2025 season and the prestigious Shay Elliott Race. Škoda has a deep-rooted heritage in cycling, from its origins as a bicycle manufacturer to its ongoing support of the sport, from grassroots clubs to the highest level of competition, including the Tour de France. Bray Wheelers is one of Ireland’s most respected cycling clubs, with a strong history of developing riders and promoting the sport at all levels. Supporting local clubs like Bray Wheelers is immensely important to us, as they are the foundation of grassroots sport and community engagement. This partnership is a natural fit, aligning our passion for performance, endurance, and fostering local talent. We look forward to supporting Bray Wheelers and celebrating the spirit of cycling throughout the season.”
The last time a Wheeler was first over the line was in 1998 when Michael O’Donnell took the flag, lets hope we see this record change this year.
Mark Dowling of All Human/Velo Revolution wins the 66th Shay Elliott
Elite Team Ready for the Rás Challenge
Bray Wheelers will once again send our best riders to Ireland’s premier stage race, the Rás Tailteann, which kicks off on May 21st.
Our panel of 8 elite riders is preparing to take on not just the Rás Tailteann, but also the Rás Mumhan and the Gorey 3 Day in April—a fantastic test of endurance and racing skill. The team is in intense training as the season gets closer, ensuring they are fully prepared to compete at the highest level.
We are also delighted to welcome back Clara Joinery as a sponsor for the team! Their continued support is invaluable, and we are grateful for their commitment to Bray Wheelers Racing.
We are also proud to announce The Glenview Hotel, Pioneer Security, Bike Row Ski, and MJ Duncan & Sons as key sponsors of our Rás Tailteann squad! Their backing ensures our riders are fully equipped and race-ready for these major stage races. A massive thank you to all our sponsors for helping Bray Wheelers compete at the highest level!
Greg Clark takes the A2 title in the 2024 Ras Tailteann
Team celebration at the end of the Ras
The Bray Wheelers Series – June 22
Bray Wheelers is proud to host The Bray Wheelers Series on June 22nd, a key event on our racing calendar featuring:
🏁 Christy McManus Memorial
🏁 Ronnie Coates Memorial
🏁 Pauline Walsh Memorial
Trinity Skoda (Wicklow Town) will also sponsor The Bray Wheelers Series, helping us deliver a fantastic race series that celebrates the history and spirit of our club.
NEW: The McGinty Autumn Classic – September 14
We’re proud to introduce the McGinty Autumn Classic, a brand-new and fully sponsored race for the 2025 calendar! Taking place on September 14th, this exciting new event will bring fresh competition and a fantastic challenge for riders.
A huge thanks to MJ Duncan & Sons for stepping up as title sponsor, helping us launch what we hope will become a Bray Wheelers classic. The McGinty Classic will hold the largest prize money on the road racing calendar and will be held on the fast Beehive circuit.
Club Racing
With training underway the Club Racing calendar will be announced soon with dates for the Dermot McGrath Spring League and the Harry Dawson Summer Leagues. Jason Howick (pictured) had it all his own way last year taking both titles whileMary Dawson took care of the women’s prizes. We would love to see as many members take part in the club racing as possible, the handicap system gives a great chance for everyone. Watch out for the dates on the website.
Get Involved
While the Rás Tailteann, Shay Elliott, The Bray Wheelers Series, and McGinty Autumn Classic are among the major highlights of the season, there are many other races on the 2025 calendar where Bray Wheelers will be competing across all categories. From C1 to C3 races and veterans’ events, our club will have strong representation throughout the year.
Of course to run the three club road racing events we’ll be relying on your help to provide volunteering to make the events top class from an operational and safety perspective.
With an exciting lineup of races, incredible sponsorship support, and a strong team, 2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for Bray Wheelers Racing. Whether you’re competing, supporting, or volunteering, we can’t wait to have you involved!
Stay tuned for more updates, and see you on the road!
The Race Committee
