2025 saw several changes to the structure of Road Racing in Ireland, off the back of recommendations from the Road Working Group. Following the final National Grade Road Race, this group again met with Cycling Ireland staff and province representatives to discuss what worked and where improvements can be made for 2026.

THREE CATEGORY SYSTEM

One of the major overhauls for 2025 was the implementation of three categories as opposed to the previous four. Following a review of the system and taking into account rider feedback, there will be some further improvements for 2026:

C3 to C2 upgrades: points will be reviewed at midpoint of 2026 season and those with over 45 points will be given an upgrade to C2.

C2 to C1 upgrades: points will be reviewed at midpoint of the season and those riders with over 45 points will be given the option of immediate upgrade to C1 or completing the season as C2 and moving to C1 for the following year.

These changes should give riders with the goal of progressing through the ranks the opportunity to do so.

LOOKING TO 2026

In consultation Junior coaches, High Performance Staff and stakeholders the allocation of Junior riders to higher categories can be more progressive for 2026, but with a flexible and careful approach designed to focus on the development and protection of these young riders.

Following consultation with event organisers, tweaks to the 2026 calendar will aim to avoid calendar clashes. The aim will be for one National Grade event per weekend, with a maximum of three races per weekend, and only one per province. There will also be an added focus on not allowing National Grade races to clash with stage races or on the weekend directly before or after Rás Tailteann and Rás Mumhan.

Cycling Ireland will also work with provinces and clubs to help them promote their events beforehand. This will primarily give promotors and organisers the tools to self-promote to a higher level, but with bolstered support from Cycling Ireland.

For the 2026 season Cycling Ireland event staff will review the 2025 event points allocation and following recommendations form Stakeholders – make further improvements in this area.

We will also have several name changes to help understanding of what type of events and competitions we will be having – while at the same time ensuring we do not under value other promotions. Therefore for 2026 National Grade Races will be known as National Single Grade races emphasizing the fact that there will be a separate race promoted for each category, which in 2026 will be supported with Cycling Ireland's new Chip Timing System – to help keep costs down for organisers and riders. To make the season long competitions more apparent we will change the names of these competitions from Cups to Rankings and they will finish on the date of the last open Road Race of the year – rather that before the end of the season after the last National Single Grade Event.

Following the success of the Masters only events held in 2025, 2026 will see an expansion to six or eight races from the four in 2025.

In regards to specifically women’s racing, a task force will be set up to tackle some of the issues in attracting new and retaining established riders in the sport. The findings of a review into women’s racing and the actions for 2026 will be published in due course.