Ards Town Centre Races

About

This event is organised and was submitted by Ards Cycling Club.

Ards Cycling Club are pleased to see on the evening of Wednesday 17 June 2026 the return to Newtownards once again the town centre cycling races in the criterium format. This event is only possible due to the support of Ards and North Down Borough Council and sponsors.

A free curtain raiser fun family event will be held from 6pm for young cyclists accompanied by a responsible adult. Registration by parents and guardians will be in the Old Town Hall (Ards Art Centre) from 5.15pm on the night. Children taking part get a free ice cream.

The programme will include competitive races under Cycling Ireland rules, across age ranges from under 8 to under 16 from 6.15pm and female and male riders holding licences categories LC, C3 and C1/C2.

Registration for the event's competitive races is by pre-entry via EventMaster https://eventmaster.ie/whatson/CyclingIrelandEvents

The circuit is due to be closed to traffic and operational for racing by 6pm with the race programme being finished by 9.15pm.

The event is unique on the island of Ireland being based on a 1km circuit of closed town centre roads and attracts wide interest. Spectators can watch the race action close-up as the riders race against each other over multiple circuits. The event is free to watch with plenty of vantage points. The start finish area at the south of Conway Square and the corner at Market Cross are often popular.

More information around the event will be posted on Ards CC website  and Facebook page.

This event is Grant Aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council's Tourism Department.

Details subject to change, always check with the organiser prior to attending.

Any queries?

This event is organised by Ards Cycling Club​, any queries please contact them direct by email john.g.green@btinternet.com.