Tour of Ireland

Tour of Ireland
Race details
DateSeptember and October 1985–1992
August 2007, 2008
RegionIreland
Local name(s)Nissan Classic (1985–1992)
Tour of Ireland 2007–09
Nickname(s)Nissan Classic (1985–1992)
DisciplineRoad race
CompetitionUCI Europe Tour
TypeStage race (2.1)
OrganiserThe Events Group / Shadetree Sports
History
First edition1953 (1953)
Editions35 (as of 2009)
Most wins Sean Kelly (IRL) (4 wins)
Most recent Russell Downing (GBR)

The Tour of Ireland (Irish: Turas na hÉireann, known from 1985 to 1992 as the Nissan Classic) was a bicycle stage race held in August, which ran for 35 editions over a 56-year period. Irish rider Seán Kelly recorded the most wins, four.

The first Tour of Ireland race debuted in 1953 and ran until 1957. It was revived in 1965 and ran until 1985. In 1985 the 5-day Nissan International Classic took over as the Tour of Ireland. This lasted for 8 years until 1992. The race returned 15 years later, in 2007, as the Tour of Ireland and was part of the UCI Europe Tour. The organisers confirmed on 1 June 2010 that the 2010 race would not take place due to a financial shortfall,[1] and as of 2019, there is no further news of a revival.

  1. ^ Canning, Andrew (1 June 2010). "2010 Tour of Ireland cancelled". Cycling Weekly. IPC Media. Retrieved 1 June 2010.