The Bavaria City Racing event in Dublin on Sunday was broadcast to 80 countries and will have been a major boost to the city’s reputation as a sporting venue.  The weather was cruel though, and will have done little to remove the feeling that it always rains in Ireland.
The streets echoed to the sound of roaring engines and a large crowd braved the elements, many then heading to Croke Park sporting F1 caps over their Dublin GAA shirts.
It is difficult to forecast the economic benefit to the city but there will have been some and on a weekend where street closures are a regular for the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, it will have been worth the endeavour.
There was an unexpected boost for another sport on Saturday when Jensen Button swapped four wheels for two and took part in the Tri Athy in County Kildare.  Button has twice competed in the Lavaman triathlon in Hawaii but still caused a major stir among competitors when he arrived on the start line for the Olympic Distance triathlon, coming home in seventh place overall.