Update Rule Changes Sept – for 2023 Rule Book



New Women’s U23 Road Race 2023 


Following a recent request from the Women’s Commission to the Technical Working Group, after having reviewed the 2022 National Senior Women’s Championship as a demonstration event, and investigating the numbers of Women riders moving to U23 for the 2023 season, the TWG have approved the addition of a full U23 Women’s Road Race incorporated into the Senior Women’s Road Race from 2023 going forward. 


This will operate the same as the men’s event with a separate set of medals for u23’s within the Senior Road Race with opportunity for combined Team medals if 3 Irish Teams are entered. 


Going forward this championship will operate under the Yellow Flag System for the number of starters each year, and the minimum number of starters to avoid this will be set at 6. 


Increase in Women’s Senior Road Race Championships Distance 


Following a request from Cycling Ireland High Performance Unit and the Head Coach. After consultation by the TWG with the Women’s Commission, all parties are in agreement that the distance of the Senior Women’s Road Race Championship for 2023, going forward, will be increased from 80-100kms to 100-120kms. This distance was lower in the past as the championship also included Master’s Women, but now with the separation of the Women’s Masters Road Race Championship, as a standalone event, it allows us to increase the distance to closer align with the Elite racing distance in Europe. 


No Junior Gear Restrictions from 2023 


In line with the changes being introduced by the UCI for 2023, Cycling Ireland will follow these regulations and remove Junior Gear Restrictions for Road Races from the 2023 road season. This decision from the UCI has been taken following a number of years of review and we must be aligned, this will allow our Juniors to be on a “level playing field” with all other Nations should they wish to, or be selected to race abroad from next season. 


Should you have any queries on any of these changes, please contact Paul Watson, Sport Operations & Technical Consultant -

+353 (0)86 7766800

paul.watson@cyclingireland.ie