As first reported by bikesportnews.com this morning, a hike in insurance premiums have now claimed their first victim with the 2013 Bush Road Races cancelled.

The event was due to take place on the 28th/29th June over the Bush course near Dungannon and Coalisland, Co Tyrone.  Due to the recent increase in MCUI UC insurance costs and the financial downturn continuing in Northern Ireland the club is finding it hard to attract new race sponsors and feel that it is safer and better to give this year a miss but plan for a bigger and better return in 2014.

"We could push on and run the event but we cannot take any risks in running a speed event like this, safety has to come first and we would rather sit out one year than take risks. This will be a loss for the local village and surrounding areas in trade as the event generated custom for them," said a Dungannon club spokesman.

"Grant aid has been applied for unsuccessfully through NITB but like everything else their budgets have been cut and increases of applications for funding are probably 100% up on previous years. We will work hard in fundraising events from now until next year and we are inviting everyone to come along and support us.

"We also hope the govern body can get a reduction in insurance costs for next year also. We appreciate the co operation of local residents around the course, DRD, PSNI and the Local Council and we would just like to thank and acknowledge them."

For more on this, see today's issue of Bikesport News, on sale at all reputable newsagents, and some not so reputable ones...