Riders get into gear for April road race around Tandragee

Riders Malachi Mitchell-Thomas, Ryan Farquhar, Dan Kneen and Paul Robinson help launch the Tandragee 100 alongside North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club officials Ian Forsythe and Anne Forsythe. Pic by Stephen Davison.

The 56th event is scheduled to run on Saturday, April 23 - with competitors signed up from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, Italy and the Czech Republic.

The field of experienced riders will include 36 debut appearances on a road racing course previously voted fourth best in the world.

The combination of tradition and a fresh challenge provided by course improvements has ensured a prize fund of over £10,000 - with family business Around-A-Pound back on board as main sponsor for the nine-race event. The showpiece race will provide the winner with £1,000.

Key names confirmed include William Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar, Dan Kneen, Derek McGee, Micko Sweeney, Derek Sheils and Malachi Mitchell-Thomas.

Events leading up to the main weekend of practice (April 22) and racing (April 23) include Sunday’s Injured Riders’ Welfare Fund sponsored walk from 2 o’clock at Moyrourkan Orange Hall.

The RJ Rocks The 80s concert in The Seagoe Hotel is planned for April 16 ahead of the Tandragee 100 Supporters’ Club’s ride out the following day before the bike display on April 20.

Race sponsors include McCrum’s Motorcycles, Woolsey Concrete Ltd, 21 Century Backcare, Millside Engineering, R.Heatrick Ltd, William McCombe and Son, Sally McNally’s, Downshire Coach Travel, City Autos Ltd, Groucho’s Cafe Bar and Music Lounge, Portadown Recycling Ltd, Tandragee Supervalu, Tayto NI Ltd,

Thanks also go to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, plus Tourism NI, Mahon Garden Centre, Woolsey Freight Ltd.