Bertram Allen and Michael G Duffy carry Irish hopes in Rome
The absence of an Irish team from the Piazza di Siena arena this weekend is in some way due to the fact that this annual fixture exited the nations cup league series after Longines took over as league sponsors from the start of this season, the Italians feeling they would not be able to fulfill their ideals for their home event under the stipulations of the new backers.
They have, however, come up trumps with sponsorship of the now standalone Rome nations cup contest, which boasts a prize fund of €250,000, — that’s 25% more than is on offer for the league fixtures under the Longines deal, though of course Longines are paying out at multiple venues. What’s more, the Grand Prix in Rome will be sponsored by rival horologists Rolex, who have put €350,000 on the table.
