Ryan Farquhar dominated the 2008 Irish national road races

The Ulster Centre Road Race Championships, last awarded in 1988, are to be revived for the 2009 season.

The championships will be held over five national road races, the Cookstown 100, Tandragee 100, Bush road races, Mid Antrim 150 and Armoy road races.

These five races will also be counting rounds of the MCUI Irish Road Race Championship in the coming season.

The news was announced at the Ulster Centre Awards Night at the La Mon Hotel on Friday night.

The detailed rules of the championships, including the classes, are currently being developed and will be published by the end of February.

"The Ulster championships have been revived in response to feedback from a number of riders who suggested to us that, with the current credit crunch, it is likely they will find it difficult to travel to all Irish championship rounds in 2009," said spokesman Ivan Davidson.

"Also with the introduction of the Armoy races, the Tarmac Committee now consider an Ulster Centre Championship to be viable again with five road race events, one less than in 1988.

"The championships will also generate increased interest for the enthusiastic Ulster supporters and we hope to attract sponsorship for the championships in future years."

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