Medals controversy | Masters National Road Champs medals were presented to some of the wrong riders, with others left empty handed. And in some cases, riders presented with a medal got the wrong one (Photo: Toby Watson)

Cycling Ireland has conceded some of the wrong riders got medals at the Masters National Road Championships at the weekend in Co Monaghan due to “human error” on the day. A small number of riders who should have got a medal were left empty-handed while others who were presented in medals received the wrong medal.

The mistakes arose from the fact the championships this year were run with the traditional age groups – Masters 40, Masters 50 and Masters 60 – divided into bands of five years rather than 10 years. For example, the former Masters 40 category – for all riders in their 40s – became two categories, Masters 40 and Masters 45, with two sets of medals, with the same applying to the M50 and M60 age groups.

On the day, some riders received two medals. Ronan Killeen (Lucan CRC), for example, won the combined Masters 40-Masters 45 road race. He was awarded both the Masters 40 gold and Masters 45 gold, though he should have received only the Masters 45 gold. And a similar mistake was repeated elsewhere.

There was frustration at the venue as some riders said they had specifically ridden for a medal in their five-year catetgory, rather than racing against riders in the same race who were in the other five-year band. However, when they got to the end of the race, in the belief they were in the top three, they were told the medals were gone as some of the riders ahead of them were eligible for two medals – in the higher and lower five-year bands of M40, M50 or M60.

It appears at least three riders mistakenly received two medals and that the three riders who should received the medals went home empty handed. Furthermore, other riders were given the wrong medals and when all the results are reviewed, there were be several changes made in terms of re-allocating medals.

Cycling Ireland on Tuesday said its staff and the chief commissaire from Sunday had carried out “a review of the first split age bands National Masters Road Race Championships”.

“It has been confirmed that due to human error on the day, some of the medals were handed out incorrectly, compared to what was announced back on the 11th March 2025,” it said.

“Cycling Ireland apologises to any riders affected by this mistake and our Events Staff will now review the photo finish for each race and issue a verified result for each age band championship, we will also ensure any rider who missed out on a medal on the day will receive the appropriate medal and the results corrected on our website as soon as possible.

“Cycling Ireland is encouraged to see the increased interest these additional medals and split bands offered and will be reviewing with our Technical Working Group the option for additional Masters National Champions Jerseys in the future.

“Races were combined on the day because to split them would have meant running 9 separate road races on the day which would be a massive additional burden on the promoting club – Emyvale CC who organised a superb championship which was enjoyed bat all competitors.

“It was also suggested that people only found out the M70 was a demonstration championship after the entries closed, however below you will find the article published on Cycling Ireland website on the 28th March 2025 stating that as this was a new championship it would be demonstration event.”

Back in March, Cycling Ireland confirmed the Masters road races would be run on the basis of split age bands. However, that announcement made it clear the there would three medals for each five-year age band; M40, M45, M50, M55, M60 and M65.

However, it added there would still be three races run M40-M45, M50-M55 and M60-M65. Cycling Ireland also said only three champion’s jerseys would be awarded, to the winners of those three races, despite six sets of medals being on offer.

But, on Sunday in Monaghan, the medals were not awarded in accordance with what was stipulated in March.

For example, Killeen won the Masters 40-45 men’s road race. He was awarded the Masters 40 and Masters 45 gold medal but should have only received the Masters 45 gold medal and the Masters 40-45 jersey.

The Masters 40 gold medal should have gone to Marcin Mizgajski (Spin the Bean Power by Coffee) who crosse the line 2nd in the combined Masters 40-45 race but 1st Masters 40 rider.