The Trader's Cup

February 22nd sees Dundalk's Cuchulainn Cycling Club hosting one of the first races of the year, with the annual Traders Cup. First run in 1942, the race covered 25miles, starting on the old Dublin Road, going out to beyond Dunleer and back. The name the Traders Cup came from the fact that it was sponsored by local traders, as a way to boost sales in the town. The perpetual cup put up for the first race is still given out to the winner every year to this day.

 

The inaugural winner was Dundalk's Jim Curran, at the time riding for Cuchulainn CC. Jim also came back in 1943 to successfully defend his title. For the next 29years the race came and went, being held 14 times. Since 1970 the race has been held every year, bar two exceptions in 2000 and 2002. An serious accident involving a cyclist and a car did see the race abandoned in 2006. The last Cuchulainn rider to win the race was Karl Dolan in 1991, however in 2014 Dundalk man Bryan McCrystal, riding for Aqua Blue at the time, was a dominant victor riding away from the rest of the field. Bryan is sure to be back this year in the colours of his new Team ASEA squad.

 

As has always been the case the race is run on a handicapped basis with the A3 riders been given a head start before the A2s set off in pursuit and finally the A1s. This years race starts at the Fane Bridge and follows an out and back course to Dunleer, Ardee, into Dundalk on the Ardee Road and back the way it came , for a total distance of 75.6km or 47miles in old money.

 

The race starts at 10am and sign on & awards are held in St. Joesphs Club House in Dromiskin. Also on the day will be a women's race of 40km and an A4 race covering the same course as the main race. Jim Curran winner of the inaugural Traders Cup in 1942. The Cup pictured is still awarded to the winner.