Joe Bar returned to win the Race Around Ireland and break his own record, set in the first edition of the race in 2009, in the process.
The 59-year-old completed 1,340 miles of non-stop cycling in 104 hours and three minutes – breaking the record he set in as the inaugural winner of the race in 2009.
Joe – who had only three-and-a-half hours of sleep during the race – was awarded the Joe Roche award for the fastest time between TS03 Coleraine and TS04 Malin Head in memory of the race organiser and route designer Joe Roche, who’s son Emmett continues to be a stalwart supporter of the race since it’s inception.
He was also won the Ciarán Smith award for the fastest time through the mountains in Kerry from TS13 in Kilarney to TS14 Sneem. This award is in honour of Ciarán Smith a veteran endurance cyclist who tragically lost his life in the Irish coast guard R116 crash. His family and friends also cycled this year as part of an 8 person Team.
“That wasn’t easy,” Barr said at the finish.
“It felt like a great race. A lot of times it didn’t feel like we were going to win.
“We came here in 2009, the sport was just starting – but look at what it’s achieved. Our team has exploded and that sends out a very clear message that the sport is on the up.”
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