28 December 2007
Dempsey best in festive tests
Draperstown`s Jonathan Dempsey ran out the winner of the feature event over the festive period, the Stan Finlay Memorial 10 Mile Time Trial promoted by Ballymena Road Club on Boxing Day.
Dempsey, a former Tour of the North runner up, has been an infrequent competitor throughout 2007 but on Boxing morning he was the only rider to break `evens` recording a 25 miles per hour average in posting 24 minutes exactly on the A26 Woodgreen course.
Although some way off last years winning time of sub-21 minutes posted by Ryan Connor, Dempsey was nonetheless happy with his effort that saw him finish up with 20 seconds to spare over the promoting club`s top Veteran Sean Wright. Lisburn Junior rider Peter Wilson took third spot, and the Junior category whilst the host clubs Phillip Bremner took the Under 16 honours ahead of Antrims Jonny Beers.
Just off the M1, a total of 35 riders lined up on Boxing day for the Clann Eireann clubs 5.3 mile Time Trial at the Birches near Lurgan. Over £350 was raised for the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children at the event which was won by John Heverin in a time of 13min 7 seconds.
In the West, there was no change from last year in the winner of Fintona CCs Kevin Mulholland memorial event when former Ulster Veterans champion Kenny Boyland made it his third win in a row in this event . He posted just over 26 minutes for the 10.5 mile test, while Irish Under 23 Time Trial Champion, Paul Brady (Emyvale CC-McQuaid Tyres) finished runner up, with these pair the only riders inside 27 minutes.
Tomorrows action will be at the Dromara CCs second round of their Winter Trailquest series. These cyclo- orienteering on and off road events have proved to be a popular, combining a competitive element with a bit of craic, and raising money for the NI Cancer Fund for Childrens hospice at the came time. Tomorrows round starts from Brennans Garage on the Newcastle Road, Seaforde with the first teams setting off at10.30am.
Result Stan Finlay Memorial `10` Wednesday 26 December
1 Jonathon Dempsey East Antrim-Agnew Audi 24.00
2 S Wright Ballymena RC-Northstone 24.20
3 P Wilson (Junior) Maryland Whs 24.47
4 C McAllister Ballymena RC-Northstone 25.04
5 U Cunningham Michelin bib-sport 25.30
6 L McAllister Ballymena RC-Northstone 26.13
7 P Bremner (U16) Ballymena RC-Northstone 27.08
8 J Beers (U16) XMTBCC 27.30
9 D McClean Ballymena RC-Northstone 27.39
10 A McKee Ballymena RC-Northstone 28.29
Kevin Mulholland Memorial Time Trial Wednesday 26th – Fintona.
1 Kenny Boyland Lakeland CC
2 P Brady Emyvale-McQuaid Tyre
3 P Martin Lakeland CC
Junior – Dane Dunlop Lakeland CC
Under16 – Padraic Kane Emyvale –McQuaid Tyres
Under 14 – Cormac Watterson Emyvale –McQuaid Tyres
Under 12 – Damien McQuaid Fintona CC
24 December 2007
Busy calendar over festive holidays
There are plenty of competitive opportunities for those wishing to burn off a few calories over the festive period with a selection of events taking place on both Christmas and Boxing days.
Tomorrow the Ards CC will host their annual fancy dress 10 mile Time Trial on the Portaferry Rd, Newtownards. Although this event traditionally has more of a festive feel to the proceedings, with many of the competitors dressing up for the occasion, last year Ballymena`s Ryan Connor took things seriously to record a stunning 21min 55 second ride to win the event with over three minutes to spare over the runner-up. Tomorrows action starts at 10am with the usual array of Santas & fairies expected !!
On Wednesday there are no fewer than three 10 mile time trials to choose from around the country. Starting in the West, Fintona CC kick off their 40th anniversary celebrations early with their festive `10` for the Kevin Mulholland shield. The event starts at Noon on the Tempo Rd, with the prize presentation and refreshments afterwards in McAtees bar.
In County Armagh, The Clann Eireann-Linen Green club are hosting their Charity Boxing day `10` at Oxford Island just off the M1. Raising funds for the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, this event kicks off at 11am.
Meanwhile, the feature event on Boxing Day is the Ballymena Road Club`s Stan Finlay Memorial `10` on the A26 at Woodgreen. A long standing fixture on the racing calendar, last year it was that man Connor who followed up his Christmas Day success with a stunning 20min 28sec ride to take the honours. Again, 95% of local riders would be hard pushed to record this time during the season, and it is testament to the year-round fitness of todays full-time riders that these times are achievable in the middle of the `off` season.
With Connor `down under` in Australia for the Winter, it may be last years runner up, Team Madigans Simon Stockton who will see his name on the Finlay Shield for 2007.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Dromara CC are hosting round two of their three-round Trailquest series of competitive cyclo-orienteering.
Their event will start from Brennans Garage on the Newcastle Road, Seaforde on Saturday at 10.30am.
In the Southern hemisphere, Giant Asia rider Paul Griffin ended up a superb 8th overall in the 6-day Tour of Thailand which ended on Friday. Having Taken a fine fourth place on Stage 4 from Ratchasima to Chiang Mai which moved him in to 7th overall, Griffin kept his place in the top 10 overall in the final days of the event to finish up 8th
21 December 2007
Busy Christmas Period for local cyclists
There is little let up in the training programme for some young local cyclists, who may not get to enjoy as much of the seasonal festivities as the rest of us as they are gearing up for a week long training trip to the Sean Kelly academy in Belgium straight after Christmas.
They are part of the 2008 Cycling Ireland Junior and Under 23 Development panel, drawn up following two very successful training camps in the last two weeks.
Applications were sought back in October, with an outstanding response from aspiring young athletes, both male and female. Over 60 applications were received from within the U23 and Junior ranks.
Testing sessions were arranged throughout the country in November, ensuring that all applicants got a chance to show their ability and match up against riders who already have established records.
This was followed by two initial training camps in the past week with 12 juniors invited to attend the weekend camp in Newbridge, Co Kildare and 12 U23’s invited to attend the Sean Kelly Academy 6 Day training camp in Carrick – on – Suir, in Waterford last week.
Among those attending from Northern Ireland were established Juniors including Banbridge lad Sean Downey and Peter Wilson, who were joined by Youth riders preparing to move in to the Junior ranks for 2008, namely Stuart Henry (North Down CC) , Peter Williams (Orchard Whs) and Jonny Cole (Team Madigan)
The next step in the process for these lads is a Junior track camp in the Sean Kelly Academy in Belgium on January 5th for 5 days were programme manager Brian Taaffe and coach Brian Nugent will be putting these aspiring youngsters through their paces.
Nugent commented, ‘we have started the National programme very early this year in order to identify the best riders in the country and prepare and educate them for the season ahead. We have made a huge shift in our thinking in that the programme fully integrates track and road, with the long term development of our young athletes the main focus. The goals of this programme are very clear and that is to prepare our best young athletes for success in future major events such as the 2012 Olympics, and to give them the best possible education for this and indeed the rest of their careers. Both camps have been hugely successful and we have already started making progress with the new talented riders we have identified.’
With rider preparation being organised and forging ehead, the administrative side of the sport at national level would appear to be in turmoil as Cycling Irelands Chief Executive, Declan Byrne, is preparing to step down from the post at the end of the year, and President - Kerry man Miceal Concannon appearing to have sparked off a major row by offending one of the Dublin regions largest clubs, and one of the sports longest serving sponsors. A throwaway comment made at a recent meeting has incensed members of the Irish Road Club, with Mick Usher now demanding a climb down and threatening to review his position in relation to Sponsorship of the sport.
With Stena Line also ending their sponsorship arrangements with Cycling Ireland, there is little festive cheer around in Cycling Irelands HQ at Kelly-Roche House in Dublin!
17 December 2007
Aiken gives masterclass in Academy showdown
As predicted, local rider Roger Aiken was the dominant force on home ground on Saturday at the Banbridge CC Cyclo-Cross event in the grounds of the Banbridge Academy.
He, along with Junior club-mate Liam McGreevy dominated proceedings, with Aiken overcoming a puncture in the closing stages to run out the winner by a mere four seconds from his younger rival.
The two had led from the start, with Glen Kinning (Castlereagh –Mattest), Robbie Lamont (XMTB), Mark Allen (Red Kite) and Don Travers (Banbridge CC) also figuring in the early running.
Covering 8 laps of the Co Down School grounds, early challenger Kinning retired on lap 3 but by then Aiken and McGreevy had already carved out a useful advantage. On lap 6 Aiken punctured, leaving the young Loughbrickland rider out front, where he opened up a 40 second advantage. Thanks to a quick wheel change, Aiken was back in the race, and by the start of the final circuit had re-caught the youngster to take the chequered flag.
Allen took the final podium spot, with Veteran Lamont in 4th ahead of Rathfrilands Don Travers and Donaghadee Junior Graham Boyd rounding out the top 6.
In the preceeding Mountain bike event, Carryduff newcomer Phillip O`Neill dominated the proceedings, with his wife Valerie also taking the female event. The pair only began racing back in August, and so far in the winter Cyclo-Cross series Valerie has won all 5 Ladies races, whilst Phillip has recorded 2 firsts, 1 second and 2 third places, emphatically winning Saturdays event by almost three minutes from Dromara man Derek Hanna.
Result Banbridge CC Cyclo-Cross Saturday
1 Roger Aiken Banbridge CC 47.48
2. L McGreevy Banbridge CC 47.52
3. M Allen Swords CC 48.54
4. R Lamont XMTB 49.23
5. D Travers Banbridge CC 50.56
6. G Boyd XMTB 50.56
Women
1. Valerie O’Neill Banbridge CC
2. Harriett Mayne Banbridge CC
3. Nicola Oldham Banbridge CC
Under 16
1 William Boyd XMTB
Mountain Bikes
1. Phil O’Neill Banbridge CC 47.32
2. D Hanna Dromara CC 50.19
3. P Anderson Banbridge CC 50.47
Under 16
1 Jonny Beers XMTBCC
Under 14
1 M Adair Banbridge CC
Under 12
1 M Downey Banbridge CC
Under 10
1 J Curry Banbridge CC
Under 8
J Buller Banbridge CC
Off-road competition takes a break over the Christmas period, with the second round of the Dromara CC Trailquest taking place on Saturday 29th at Seaforde, and the National Cyclo-Cross Championships on Sunday 6th January at Tymon park north of Dublin.
14 December 2007
Champion on home ground for Banbridge Cross
Newly crowned Ulster Cyclo-Cross Champion Roger Aiken will be on home ground, and therefore start as favourite for tomorrows race that takes place in the grounds of Banbridge Academy.
The course in the school grounds has always proved popular with both riders and spectators alike and features a mixture of climbs and fast sweeping sections.
Expected front runners include Conor Campbell, Gary Henning and Mark McKinley (all Newry Wheelers), Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB), Dave Gill, Philip Roche, Richard Felle (Team Worc), Luke Manning and Paul O’Reilly (IMBRC).
Banbridge CC youngsters Liam McGreevy and Sean Downey will also make a formidable challenge, Liam won the Junior Ulster `Cross title at Rostrevor a few weeks ago and will make his European cyclo-cross debut in Belgium just after Christmas. Sean is the reigning Irish Junior Champion, a title he won on this course back in January.
Tomorrows programme will also feature a mountain bike race, with events getting underway with Youth racing at 11.30am. The Mountain Bike event is scheduled for Noon, and the `Cross event for 1.15pm.
Meanwhile there would appear to be no good news on the horizon in relation to Irelands proposed indoor Velodrome, supposedly being funded from the 50 million `London Olympic Fund` much talked about in the past 12 months.
Following news of the Draft Budget Proposals for Northern Ireland it has emerged that far from delivering the promised £53 million, the figure has been slashed. Although North Down Borough Council has been awarded £15 million for the Olympic sized Swimming Pool, the remaining £38 million available to other sports has now been reduced to £20 million, with regional funds apparently being diverted back to the London Facilities.
After a year’s hard work and effort from Cycling Ulster, Cycling Ireland, Sport NI, and interested bidders, it emerged that three bids to build a velodrome (Belfast, Newry and Newcastle) were successful in reaching Phase Two of the Elite Facilities Programme. Cycling was the only sport to have three successful bids and it looked as if the Velodrome was a virtual certainty.
Cycling was asked to make a presentation to these three bidders earlier this month and a lot of hard work and effort went into the preparation of the presentation. This has now been postponed until early in the New Year, with cycling and cyclists now starting to fear the worst, none more so than the Ulster Youth Track squad who are attempting to train at the Orangefield outdoor track over the winter.
So far the plan for alternate Sunday afternoon sessions has seen only two take place, the remainder being cancelled due to inclement weather.
It is well known that following the building of the Manchester Velodrome in the mid 1990s Great Britain has become one of the top ranked Track nations in the world, producing several Olympic and World Champions. The possibility that Northern Ireland and Ireland could produce our own future champions now appears to hang in the balance.
10 December 2007
Ireland on Track for Olympic Qualification ?
The Irish National Elite Track squad have been in record breaking form on the Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China over the weekend.
Competing in the first of their winter programme of UCI World Cup events, two national Track records were broken in fine style.
With Cycling having its first look at the venue for next August`s Olympic Games, the National velodrome saw Irelands track men at their best, and putting in to practice all they have learned under guidance from former British National Track Coach, Simon Jones.
On day two of the three day event, David O`Loughlin shattered his own 4,000 metre Pursuit National Record. Recording 4min 25.1 sec, he took an amazing 4.5 seconds off his previous best set in Newport, Wales in 2006. In an event where hundredths of a second decide medals, this is a major improvement for the Mayo man, who has experienced a steady improvement since the Track World Championships in Majorca back in March. There he finished 17th in the Pursuit event, posting a time just over 4 minutes 30 seconds. Saturdays ride saw him finish up seventh in the World Cup event, won by Britain's World and Olympic Champion, Bradley Wiggins who posted 4.22 to top the table.
Next it was the turn of the Team Pursuit squad, where local interest lies with Newtownards man Martyn Irvine. This squad have been undergoing lengthy training sessions, both in Newport and in Ghent under the supervision of Jones and Irelands Track Coach Tommy Evans.
In China they also smashed the previous National Record, again by a healthy margin. With their best time to date of 4min 21 sec, they flew round the 16 laps of the 250 metre banked oval to record 4min 15.01sec, averaging 56.46kph, or a shade over 33mph. This is a huge margin to take off the record, and must give the guys a huge boost in their quest for Olympic qualification. With a possible two further World Cup events before the World Championships in Manchester at the end of March, there is still a distinct possibility that this quartet could be back in Beijing next August.
To put their ride in to context however, the British squad ran out the event winners in a time of 4.04.69. This was slower then their winning time in the opening World Cup event in Sydney last week where they posted an incredible 4.01.01. Despite Irelands new National Record on Saturday, it was still only good enough to leave them in 17th place in the competition.
With the Manchester World Championships in March signalling the end of the Olympic Qualification phase, and only an expected 8 Team Pursuit nations eligible for the Olympics, the national squad still have a mountain to climb.
Word is filtering through from Dublin that Cycling Ireland`s Chief Executive, Declan Byrne has stood down from the post. Having taken over at the 2006 Cycling Ireland AGM on an interim basis, the Clonmel man, had previously acted as National Road Manager and Manager of the Murphy & Gunn professional outfit before being confirmed as the Cycling Ireland CEO early in 2007. No one from the Cycling Ireland Board was available for comment, although it is thought that Byrne will be staying on until the end of the month, or early January.
7 December 2007
Xmas Bonus for Gallagher
A new major backer of the Belgian-based Sean Kelly team was announced yesterday in the shape of An Post, the Irish Post Office.
This will come as great news for Richhills Stephen Gallagher, one of four Irish riders who has re-signed with the team for next season.
With Murphy & Gunn ending their sponsorship at the end of 2007, the race was on to find a replacement, and for Gallagher and the other members of the squad the news will come as an early Christmas bonus.
Announcing the sponsorship yesterday, An Post Chief Executive Donal Connell said An Post was very pleased to be supporting Sean Kelly’s team for 2008.
“In our view it is crucial that young Irish cyclists have access to international competition and training. This is an essential element of their career development and an integral part of the development of this sport across the country.
An Post’s sponsorship with enable some top-class Irish cyclists to fulfil their potential at the peak of international cycling, under the expert eye of Sean Kelly, an international sporting legend and a giant of Irish sport. We will be announcing a number of other sponsorship initiatives in cycling in the coming months,” he added.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world members of the Irish elite track programme embark on the latest phase of their quest to qualify for Olympic Games in Beijing next August.
A five strong team are competing in the second round of the UCI world cup which takes place in the newly opened Olympic Velodrome in Beijing which has attracted the largest ever field for a World Cup track event with over 400 riders representing 70 teams chasing world cup glory.
The members of Irish programme have been involved in an intensive training programme throughout the year under the guidance of ex British Cycling national track coach Simon Jones, and their plans are to compete in three UCI World Cup events over the winter, with Beijing the first.
Mayo man David O`loughlin, Corks Dermot Nally, Dubliner Paul Healion, Piltowns Brian Kenneally are joined by Newtownards man Martyn Irvine as the backbone for the Team Pursuit squad that have a target of making it in to the top 10 nations in the world in order to be in with a shout of Olympic qualification.
For Cyclings talented athletes, Sport NI`s Athlete Support Programme of Lottery Funding has re-opened following a re-vamp over the summer months. A new wave of funding, to cover the the period December 2007 to March 2009 has been launched, with Cycling Ulster inviting applications from all interested parties
3 December 2007
Aiken in charge at rain soaked championship
Banbridge man Roger Aiken was head and shoulders above the opposition in Saturdays rain soaked Ulster Cyclo-Cross Championship in Kilbroney Park near Rostrevor.
The inclement conditions saw a lower than expected turnout, however it did not detract from a superb days racing over a tough and demanding course devised by the promoting Newry Wheelers club.
The expected tussle between defending champion Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB) and Aiken failed to materialise, with the Holywood man finishing back in 4th place overall. However as `southerner` Joe McCall (K Capital) was second across the line and therefore not counting for the Medals, Ferguson took the final podium place. Silver, and top in the Junior category was top off-roader Liam McGreevy who ads the Ulster Junior Cyclo-Cross crown to his National Junior Mountain Bike Gold won earlier in the season.
Meanwhile Saturday also saw the setting up of Cycling Ulster’s Disability Commission, set up at a meeting in Warrenpoint.
Cycling Ulster have been pro-active for some time in trying to move disability cycling forward and have been fortunate in having the services of Brian Nugent and Gerry Beggs, who have been working with the Irish Paralympic team that includes Warrenpoint husband and wife team Emma and Andrew Fitzgerald. They were part of the team that have recently returned from the Pan-American Games in Columbia where Ireland qualified a second bike for the Beijing Olympics.
Also present at the formation of the Commission were Cycling Ulster Chairman Tommy and Secretary Marian Lamb. Marian said, "It has been my goal to set up our own Disability Commission here in Ulster for some time but it was difficult to find volunteers with both the knowledge and interest. I am delighted that we now have Emma and Andrew on board. They are full of enthusiasm and have the contacts to move this forward."
Andrew will Chair the new Commission while Emma will act as Secretary. Emma said, "We are delighted to be involved with this Commission and while we are both full of ideas we realise that we must be realistic and begin with an analysis of where we are at. We are coming on board at the right time as we will have time to find our feet and develop an action plan. We hope to be in a position by the middle of 2008 to make a real contribution to Cycling Ulster's new 4 year Development plan for 2009 onwards." One of the groups` first targets will be to source both funding and additional volunteers.
Andrew commented, "As a Paralympic athlete I found it very difficult to get the training I needed to prepare for major events. My pilot is from Leinster and we had to take turns travelling to meet each other to train. It would have been helpful to have had someone closer to hand who could have provided additional training opportunities. One of our first targets will be to attract cyclists to act as pilots. We know we have a long way to go to make cycling inclusive for all those with disabilities but this is a good starting point."
The couple already have tentative plans for a tandem demonstration events and the possibility of an Ulster Tandem Championship
Result.
Ulster Cyclo Cross Championship Saturday. Rostrevor
1 Roger Aiken Banbridge CC
2 L McGreevy Banbridge CC
3 L Ferguson Team BHB
30 November 2007
Favourites Line Up for Ulster Cross Title
Tomorrow sees the Ulster Cyclo-Cross Championships take place at one of Ireland’s most popular venues, Kilbroney park in Rostrevor. Promoted by Newry Wheelers for the second year in succession, the race promises to be a close run thing with defending champion Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB) starting as favourite. Banbridge man Roger Aiken should push him all the way, with other possible medallists in the shape of the promoting clubs Conor Campbell and Gary Henning along with Banbridge riders Liam Mcgreevy and Sean Downey. For this year the course has been modified to add to the excitement for both riders and spectators.
The Newry Club have once again announced that Citroen & Honda dealers J.C. Campbell will sponsor the event, with sponsor Colin Campbell commenting: “I am delighted with the way the event was both organized and recognized in 2006. Cyclo-Cross is a great sport to watch as well as take part in and we are pleased to be supporting the event once again.”
Race Promoter Drew McKinley declared: “It is great to have a local sponsor on board. Cyclo Cross races have been taking place in Kilbroney Park for 20 years and to have a sponsor of the prestige of J.C. Campbell on board is great for the race and the sport. Last year the race attracted one of the best entries in Ireland, the racing and the weather were both superb. With the facilities, Kilbroney is an excellent venue.”
Tomorrows programme will include youth races and a mountain bike category, with the action getting underway with the Youth event at 11.45am, and the feature Ulster Championship scheduled for 1.15pm. Event HQ is Rostrevor GAA Club.
The East Tyrone Cycling Club celebrate their 60th Anniversary this evening, with over 130 guests lined up to attend a gala dinner in the Hanover House, Coagh. Guest of honour is former World number one rider Sean Kelly, who will also be heading a training run tomorrow morning departing from Cookstown Hockey Club at 10am.
It is believed the East Tyrone club was formed earlier than 1947, with a club in the Cookstown area in the 1920s. Following the war a group of cyclists headed by Cyril Henry re-formed the East Tyrone CC that went on to have great success with riders such as Tommy Talbot and Jimmy Slane. Along with the Henry name, the Talbot family is also synonymous with the club, with brothers Tommy, Ronnie, Bobby and John holding the unique honour of not only winning the Northern Ireland Team Time Trial Championship for their club, but also for their family !
Today the club enjoys a strong membership, and sponsorship from local Motor Factor, RT Autoparts. They were also involved with the inaugural Super 6 Time Trial Series in the West of the province this year.
Meanwhile Newtownards man Martyn Irvine is getting to see a fair bit of the world, or at least some of the worlds top velodrome`s in his quest to qualify with the Irish Track Team for the Team Pursuit event at next August`s Beijing Olympics.
Following this week training in Belgium, he will be flying out to China today for a round of the UCI world cup track series at the Olympic velodrome in Beijing.
Racing with Team Pezula and also for the National Squad, Irvine is hoping that Ireland meet the qualification criteria as one of the worlds top Team Pursuit nations that will open the door to Olympic participation next year. Following the China trip, the squad are planning further World Cup appearances in Los Angeles in January and Copenhagen in February before taking part in the World Track Championships in Manchester at the end of March.
26 November 2007
European squad target P&O Tour
With winter training still in its early stages, Ards Cycling Club is on the ball and has just announced that a Flemish Team will be entering the P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North next Easter.
Club member and Belgian ex-pat Dany Blondeel, has been working hard to encourage teams to come to Northern Ireland and has secured the participation of Flemish squad Decock-campino who are sending a delegation over to the province this weekend on a fact finding mission.
The delegation will include Xavier Decock, son of the team owner and assistant team manager Stefaan Verbeke.
Dany will act as guide and interpreter for the weekend and hopes to show the visitors the kind of terrain they can expect come next Easter.
The team are well known in Flanders and compete in top Elite and Under 23 races in Belgium and France, scoring 20 wins in the past season. Following this weekends visit the team will decide which of their 20 strong squad they will send over to take on the UKs best in March.
Blondeel was upbeat with his signing, “" As an Ards CC member and Commissaire it gives me a chance to promote our club and cycling in Ulster, it will also show the Belgian people that it is worthwhile to visit us and discover our second to none landscape and welcoming people”.
This will be the first time since the 70s that a Belgian squad will have competed in the Tour of the North, with Eddy van den Broeck winning the event back in 1977.
With another European mainland squad also rumoured to be making the trip to the P&O Tour in 2008 it is already shaping up to be a truly international affair.
Meanwhile Cycling Ireland has ratified a total of five Time Trial records all set in the Dave Kane Time Trial Series during the year.
Hillsborough`s Heather Wilsons 25 mile time of 56.06 is added to her 10 mile record; Bann Wheeler`s John Maddens Veterans 10 and 25 mile figures of 20.21 and 50.58 were also ratified while Lurgan teenager Thomas Martin lowered his Junior 25 mile time to 52.52.
Most impressive was Belfast`s David McCann who averaged almost 32mph to reduce his Senior 25 record to 47.06 while Templepatrick`s Jim McConnell, holder of the Belfast-Londonderry-Belfast record, set a new Veterans 50 mile record, recording 1.51.37.
Yesterdays opening round of the Dromara CC Trailquest series proved a big hit, with over 50 competitors taking part in the `orienteering on wheels` event. Teams were dispatched across the Dromara Hills with a map and set of instructions. The event placed more emphasis on the craic than all-out competition, while also raising funds for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund For Childrens home at Bryansford. The next round will be on Saturday 29 December at Seaforde.
Monday 19 November
Connor on the move
From Ahoghill to Adelaide, that is the trip being planned by one of the provinces top Elite riders, Ryan Connor, who plans to up sticks and move to sunnier climes for the winter months.
The Team Pezula rider has not dismissed a permanent move `down under` and is viewing the coming months as a fact finding mission with a view to a long term move.
Connor is one of the sports most successful riders having previously represented GB at the Junior World Championships as well as more recently representing Ireland at Senior International level. At 23 he has two Tour of the North wins under his belt, and in 2007 whilst riding for the Giant Asia squad he took overall victory in the season long NICF-Cycling Ulster Classic Series.
Having come through the ranks from Junior, he has ridden full-time for the UK mainland based Team DFL in 2005, or the Belgian based Sean Kelly Team in 2006, and this year for Giant Asia. Last month he signed for the new Mayo based Team Pezula along with a handful of Irelands top riders. Connor is upbeat about his new squad. “This is by far the best set-up I have been involved with, everything is done on a highly professional level. I have cleared my trip with the team management, and they are happy with my move. I may be back home for Christmas and then it will be off to Malaysia for the 10-day Tour of Langkawi in February, the teams first major road objective.”
Connor plans to make his base in Adelaide, where he will be staying with former Ballymena Road Club team mate Billy Thompson.
Whilst Connor will be sunning himself in Australia, some of his Pezula team mates will be heading to China at the end of the month for the UCI World Cup Track meeting. Riding for the National squad, they will be hoping to set a qualifying time in the top 8 of the Olympic Nations in the hope of making it back to Beijing next August.
Still with Olympians, the Irish Paralympic team continue to notch up impressive results in the Pan-American games which finish up in Colombia today.
In the Road Time Trial events, Enda Smyth took 4th in the CP4 category, whilst the female pairing of Catherine Walsh and Joanna Hickey recorded their best result of the championships, taking a fine 7th place in the Blind & Visually Impaired Category.
Double Bronze Track medallists, Michael Delaney and David Peelo finished in 10th place in their race. Whilst Warrenpoints Andrew Fitzgerald and John Lynch broke their chain shortly after the start and were forced to retire.
All of the teams competitors will be in action in the final events, the Road Race, taking place today.
Friday 16 November
Paralympians Colombian Medal Haul
The Irish Paralimpic Cycling squad rounded off a superb week at the Pan-American games in Colombia, bagging no fewer than three Bronze Medals in the Tandem and individual Track competitions.
Opening up the week last Sunday was Michael Delaney, steered by former International David Peelo, who took Bronze in the 4 Kilometre Pursuit event, setting a new Irish Record of 4.44.419 along the way. They missed out on their second Bronze on Monday, this time in the 1 kilometre Time Trial, taking fourth by .19 of a second.
This was followed up on Tuesday when individual rider Enda Smith secured the teams second medal of the Games, this time in the Individual 1 Kilometre Time Trial. Finishing in a time of 1:16.857, Smith knocked a huge 1.92 seconds off his old Irish record set at this year’s World Championships in Bordeaux. Japan took the gold in a new world record time with the silver medal going to France.
The third Bronze medal came on Wednesday, when again Peelo and Delaney competed in the Match Sprint competition. Having qualified fourth fastest, they disposed of the local Comombian pair, but were then beaten by eventual Gold medal winners Canada in the semi-finals. They recovered to see off the Argentinians in the Bronze ride-off.
Warrenpoint rider Andrew Fitzgerald partnered by John Lynch qualified in 8th place to secure a ride-off against Colombia for the minor placings. They put in their best performance of the Championships to beat the Colombian tandem in a very exciting race with both tandems playing cat and mouse, with a packed Velodrome roaring encouragement for the local team.
This topped off a brilliant week of Track racing for the Irish squad and has seen the other nations looking at them in a totally different light. Track coach, Cookstowns Brian Nugent reckons there is still a lot more to come from these athletes and with the right programmes and support they should do us all proud again at next years Paralympic Games in Beijing.
The Pan American Games action now enters its final week and moves to the City of Palmira for the road competitions.
Staying with Track racing, tomorrow evening sees the second of the winter Revolution track series in Manchester, where the Pezula team will be fielding some of their riders in the evenings racing. Irish Road Champion David O`Loughlin, hoping to secure an Olympic place, will be on the boards tomorrow. Also expected to ride for the Mayo based outfit are former Tour of the North winner Paul Healion, and also Ciaran Power and Morgan Fox. Newtownards man Martyn Irvine, himself in the hunt for Olympic selection may also make the trip to Manchester.
The National Track Team will then head to Beijing at the end of the month to compete in a round of the UCI world Cup, in an effort to set their Olympic Qualification time in the Team Pursuit competition. Further World Cup trips are planned to Los Angeles in January and Copenhagen in February before final selection is likely at the Track World Championships in Manchester at the end of March.
Monday 12 November
Commonwealth Joy for Scots
Following some recent bad news for cycling, in that the sport would not be catered for at all in next years Junior Commonwealth Games in India, and that Mountain Biking would not feature in the senior games in Dehli in 2010 comes some positive news, that Glasgow has been awarded the hosting of the 2014 edition of the Games.
The 71 nations of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation met last Friday in Sri Lanka and voted 47-24 in favour of Scotlands biggest city, thus seeing off the challenge from the Nigerian capital Abuja.
On hearing the news, Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond commented, “Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and I want to congratulate everyone involved in this Bid process. To quote the CGF Evaluation Commission report ‘Glasgow has demonstrated the ability to stage the 2014 Commonwealth Games to a standard which would continue to enhance the image and prestige of the Games’.
“But it’s all of us – the people of Scotland – who have helped to make our Games dream a reality”
The 20th Games, first hosted by Canada in 1930, are scheduled to run from 23 July until 4 August 2014, and will encompass 17 sports. For cycling that will mean Road, Mountain Bike and Track, thus seeing Mountain Biking return to the games following its planned absence in 2010.
This is some positive news, albeit well in the future, for riders like current National Junior Mountain Bike Champion Liam McGreevy from Banbridge, and the date will also see current up and coming riders such as Sean Downey (Banbridge) Stuart Henry (North Down) and Peter Williams (Orchard Wheelers) in their early 20s and on track for medals in a games that should see plenty of home support.
Also announced are the 2011 Junior Commonwealth Games, also close to home with the Isle of Man winning the bid. It is unlikely that Track racing will be on the agenda here, however Road and Mountain Biking should be catered for. This should see the likes of East Antrim`s Jack Wilson and Banbridge lad Michael Runciman head the Junior ranks around that time.
Closer to home, and in `real time` was yesterdays Cyclo Cross and Mountain Bike race in Castle Park, Bangor. Promoted by XMTBCC, the event drew a good crowd, despite the fresh weather conditions.
In the Mountain Bike event, local rider Paul Ferguson brought victory to Bangors North Down CC, with a substantial margin over Paul McMenamin (Leisure Lakes – Omagh Whs) The Pink and Black colours of North Down, celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, were also to the fore in the Under 16 event, with Stuart Henry taking 3rd overall and first youth, pipping early race leader and rival Jonny Beers from the promoting club.
In the feature Cyclo-Cross event, Banbridge rider Roger Aiken was in command throughout, building up an unassailable lead over Holywoods Lewis Ferguson and National Junior Mountian Bike Champion Liam McGreevy (Banbridge) who took 3rd.
Result XMTBCC Cyclo-Cross. Bangor
1 Roger Aiken Banbridge CC
2 L Ferguson Team BHB
3 L McGreevy Banbridge CC
4 G Kinning Castlereagh CC-Mattest
5 J Allen
Mountain Bike Event
1 Paul Ferguson North Down CC
2 P McMenamin Leisure Lakes-Omagh Whs
3 S Henry (U16) North Down CC
4 J Beers (U16) XMTBCC
Friday 9 November
Race for Beijing Places hots up.
In a repeat of the 2004 Athens Olympics, two Irish riders will be eligible to compete in the Mens road race at next August`s Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Cyclings world governing body, the UCI, have released details of the Olympic places obtained via the ProTour and Continental Tour rankings and under this criteria Ireland will have two berths in the Elite Mens road race, while the big cycling nations, Australia, Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and the USA each get the maximum of five. This plus the allocations for other countries brings the total up to 145 entrants for this event.
Hot favourite for the number one spot in the Ireland squad is Donegal`s Phillip Deignan, the AG2R professional having a superb 2007 season that saw him score three top 15 stage places in Septembers Tour of Spain. Others in the running for the second berth include Belfast`s David McCann, Nicolas Roche, son of Stephen, along with current National Champion David O`Loughlin.
Ireland has already secured a place in the Elite men’s Mountain Bike cross country race, and are hoping to qualify for at least one track event and will thus be aiming to perform strongly in the forthcoming World Cup Events. The 4-man Team Pursuit squad are hoping to make the required time, and will be travelling to Beijing at the end of the month to take part in a round of the UCI World Cup in an effort to make the time. The final date for qualification is likely to be the end of March, when the World Track Championships take place in Manchester. Hoping for a place in the final quartet in Newtownards man Martyn Irvine, and Belfast`s David McCann has also joined this panel and will also be in the running for a place.
Meanwhile the Paralympians have qualified two bikes for the Beijing Paralympics, and the squad are currently in Colombia at the Pan-American Games in an effort to upstage their able-bodied counterparts and qualify three places.
Closer to home, the Cyclo-Cross season continues this weekend with the XMTBCC promotion at Castle Park, Bangor on Sunday. Following the usual format for these events, the action gets underway at Noon, with separate Mountain Bike & Cyclo-Cross events as well as a supporting Youth Programme.
This is as close as it gets to home ground for Holywoods Lewis Ferguson, already a winner of two rounds of the winter series. He will expect stiff competition from Donaghadees Graham Boyd and Irish Mountain Bike Champion Liam McGreevy. In the Mountain Bike category, Bangors Sam Craig will be hoping for a repeat of his win in the Larne round a few weeks ago. Sign-on is at the pavilion in Castle Park from 10.30. Racing begins at 11.30, with the Mountain Bike Race at Noon, and the Cyclo Cross event at 1.30pm.
Monday 5 November
Roche on top at Lisburn thriller.
Dubliner Phil Roche ran out the winner of yesterdays Cyclo-Cross event at Lisburn`s Island Centre. The Dromara CC event was run over a superb re-vamped course that took in the Lagan towpath that included two bridge crossings and saw a variety of conditions including steep climbs, muddy fields and a 12-step ascent on each lap.
By the end of lap one the race had came down to a tussle between a small group including Roche, Liam McGreevy, on-form Lewis Ferguson (Team BHB) and Sean Downey, just returned on Thursday from a spell at the UCI World Track Centre in Agile, Switzerland.
At the narrow parts of the course, bottlenecks saw riders lose time, with Downey and Ferguson losing contact with the leaders. At the finish, Roche took the verdict with McGreevy settling for the runner up slot. In the earlier Mountain Bike race, Paul McMenamin (Team Specialized) was the winner.
Promoters of yesterdays event, Dromara Cycling Club, also announced details of a three round winter Trail Quest league. Getting underway on Sunday 25 November, these events are family and fun orientated, but also have a competitive twist. These events are on and off road, and require an element of map reading skill, which is where the competition element comes in to play. Teams with a maximum of three riders are permitted, with the remaining dates being Sunday 29 December and Sunday 20 January 2008. Proceeds from the series will be given to the Northern Ireland Childrens Cancer home at Bryansford.
Cycling Irelands Track Coach, Brian Nugent will head a Paralympic Cycling squad leaving for Colombia on tomorrow to compete in the Pan-American games. Included in the team is Warenpoints Andrew Fitzgerald, who will compete in the 200m sprint, 1km time-trial and 4km pursuit, as well as the 20km road time-trial and 110km road-race. He will be piloted by John Lynch from Bray; this successful partnership having powered their way to personal best times in all their disciplines at the Paralympic World Championships in Bordeaux in September.
.The Games are the last opportunity for Ireland to compete in a world ranking event in an effort to qualify a third tandem for the Beijing Olympics next year.
The team for Colombia consists of three tandem teams, one cerebral palsy and one amputee cyclist, as well as coaching and management staff. The championships will span two weeks and will be extremely challenging, with the cyclists having to compete under conditions of high temperatures, humidity and altitude.
Meanwhile there were no major upsets at yesterdays Cycling Ulster AGM in Lurgan. All Executive members were returned to their posts, and the voting for Club of the Year saw Emyvale CC from Monaghan run out the winners, and Andy Potts (Banbridge CC) take the honour as Coach of the Year for his services to Mountain Biking.
Result Dromara CC Cyclo-Cross
1 Phil Roche Team WORC
2 L McGreevy Banbridge CC
3 L Ferguson Team BHB
4 G Kinning Castlereagh CC
5 S Downey Banbridge CC
6 G Boyd XMTBCC
Friday 2 November
Ferguson on Hat-Trick Trail
This Sunday the fourth race of the Ulster Cyclo Cross season will be held at the Island Centre, headquarters of Lisburn City Council Headquarters, who are kindly supporting days events.
First run last year, the Dromara Cycling Club promotion was the best supported Cyclo-Cross event race in 2006 and once again this popular course should attract the crowds.
Sundays event will also see Holywood `star` Lewis Ferguson go for the hat-trick, to add to his wins at Larne and again at Carrickfergus last week.
For this year the course has had a re-vamp by Dromara`s Trevor Annett, seeing it extended to 1.5 miles per lap of mostly fast flowing terrain, taking in both sides of the river Lagan.
Following the so far successful 2007 format, the event will have separate Cyclo-Cross and Mountain bike categories as well as catering for Youth riders.
Sunday’s race HQ will be the Island Centre and directional signs will be placed on approach roads to Lisburn. Sign on will be from 10.30 and car parking and toilet facilities are available. Post race refreshments will be provided.
The Programme gets underway with the Under 8s at 11.20am; the Mountain Bike race is scheduled for 12.15, with the feature Cyclo Cross event at 1.30pm.
Dromara Cycling Club have also announced details of a three round winter Trail Quest league. Getting underway on Sunday 25 November, these events are family and fun orientated, but also have a competitive twist. These events are on and off road, and require an element of map reading skill, which is where the competition element comes in to play. Teams with a maximum of three riders are permitted, with the remaining dates being Sunday 29 December and Sunday 20 January 2008. Proceeds from the series will be given to the Northern Ireland Childrens Cancer home at Bryansford.
Meanwhile this weekend also sees a Youth fun day at Craigavon Watersports centre tomorrow. Aimed at novice youth and family members, the days activities will also feature a presentation by 2007 European Youth Olympian, Peter Williams. Activities commence at 9.30am.
On Sunday Junior riders from north of the border will undergo physiological testing at the Lurgan Golf & Ski Centre, under the supervision of National Track Coach Brian Nugent. Over a dozen of the provinces top Youth and Junior riders are being called up for the tests, with a view to progressing on to the National Track and Road squads for 2008.
Just up the road at the Ashburn Hotel in Lurgan, Cycling Ulster will be holding their AGM on Sunday afternoon at 1pm.
No major upsets are expected in the election of officers and Executive Committee members, with slight amendments to the Constitution being tabled to reflect the amalgamation with the NICF at the beginning of the year.
Monday 29 October
2008 Season taking shape.
The 2008 Northern Ireland Racing Calendar is starting to take shape, with clubs now having their event applications reviewed by Cycling Ulster.
Top of the list are the two big `tours` the P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North at Easter, and the Tour of Ulster which takes place over the May bank holiday weekend.
With Easter a moveable date, the cycling calendar slots in round the P&O Tour, with many events vying for their traditional dates on the calendar.
As usual the season gets underway with the `pre-season friendlies`, the Reliability Trials. These are generally far from friendly affairs, with riders keen to put their winter training to good use and show the opposition who is in top form. The Northern CC`s event kicks off hostilities on Sunday 3 February, with the opening race on the calendar the Banbridge CC`s Annaclone Handicap event on Saturday 1 March.
Multi-day stages are also proving popular around the province, with no fewer than 6 on the books for 2008. On top of the `big two` mentioned above, there is also the Ras Dun na nGall (30 May-1 June), The Newry 3-day (20-22 June), Bobby Crilly 3-day (4-6July) and the Portaferry 3-day (25-27 July)
Time Trialling is also well represented, with 37 events registered so far. The ever popular Dave Kane Cycles League, entering its 13th year is the best supported series in the country, and the mid-week `super six` events proved a success in 2007 and are again listed for next year. With the NICF running Northern Ireland 10, 25 & 50 Mile Championships on Sunday mornings, there is still a demand for these early morning starts.
The Off-road calendar is jam packed as usual, with the National Cyclo-Cross championships on January 6th, closely followed by XMTBs Winter League which gets underway on January 20th. Dromara CC are also getting in on the Winter act, promoting a 3-round trailquest series commencing in December and carrying in to January.
Nationally the All-Ireland Championships are mostly South of the border, with the Youth events in Kanturk in August, the Veterans & Ladies Time Trial Championship events at the end of June.
Some major dates are still to be slotted in, but Ulster Secretary Marian Lamb has been hard at work for many weeks ensuring all Ulster dates are applied for in good time. Cycling Ireland have given an undertaking to have their Handbook printed for January, following the delays in the 2007 edition which did not arrive until after the season had got well underway.
The week ahead is also a busy one, with a Youth fun day this Saturday (3rd) at the Craigavon Watersports Centre. Getting underway at 9.30, there will be a talk from 2007 Youth Olympian Peter Williams, followed by training and nutrition seminars, and finishing with a parents versus children Mountain Bike orienteering event in the afternoon. Interested youngsters should contact Ken Dunlop on 8952 1681 (after 8pm) to register their interest.
Sunday sees the Cycling Ulster AGM in the Ashburn Hotel, Lurgan at 1pm. Also on Sunday there is a Cyclo Cross event at the Island Centre, Lisburn at 1pm.
Slieve Gullion Wheelers have announced details of their thirty mile charity cycle on Saturday 10th November with Sean Kelly the star attraction. The former world number 1 will lead the run from the Mountain House, Belleek at 10.00am and arriving in Crossmaglen square at 12.30pm.
Friday 26 October
Double blow for Commonwealth Hopefuls
Cycling has received a double blow in recent weeks for anyone aspiring to represent Northern Ireland at the next edition of the Commonwealth Games.
The 4-yearly games are the pinnacle for an athletes Northern Ireland representative honours, as in the World Championships or Olympic Games a competitor can only represent Ireland or Great Britain.
The `big` Commonwealth Games taking place in Delhi, India between 3-14 October 2010, and will be proceeded by the Junior Commonwealth Games in Pune, India from 12-18 October next year.
The first blow for cycling is that, unlike the 2004 Junior Commonwealth Games in Bendigo, Australia – where Northern Ireland fielded 4 cyclists - the sport of Cycling will not feature at all in the `08 version. This must come as a major disappointment for Northern Irelands up and coming Youth Riders who would have had their sights set on the India trip. 2007 European Youth Olympians Stuart Henry (North Down CC) and Peter Williams (Orchard Whs) along with Sean Downey (Banbridge) would surely have been in with a chance of medals, and other upcoming talent including Jonny Beers, Jonny Cole, Jessica Laird and Rachel Mitchell will also miss out on this once-only opportunity, and must now look further in to the future for their chance to shine.
The second blow is for Mountain Bikers, in that Cross Country Mountain Biking will not feature in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealths, where only Road Cycling (Road Race & Time Trial) and Track Racing will be on the cycling programme.
With Conor McConvey putting in a superb performance at the recent World Championships in Fort William, and Lewis Ferguson, who represented Northern Ireland in Mountain Biking in the 2006 Commonwealths in Australia, this must come as a major blow to their immediate plans, and comes at a time when both are in the running for a Mountain Bike place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with the place to be decided early in the new year with a ride-off in the opening rounds of the K-Capital Cup series.
That said, off-road cycling continues to enjoy great grass roots support, with last Sundays Cyclo Cross event in Tymon Park, Dublin seeing another large turnout where 15-times National Champion Robin Seymour put his skills to good use to decimate the opposition and take his first `Cross win of the season. This weekend the action is back North, in County Antrim where Team Madigan promote their event on Sunday, where a new course is being used.
The Beltoy Sports Complex, in the shadow of Kilroot Power Station near Carrickfergus is the venue, and again both Cyclo-Cross and Mountain Bikes are being catered for.
Meanwhile Ulsters top Youth Talent will be in Newport this weekend at the Welsh National Velodrome for a weekends coaching under the watchful eye of Cycling Ulster coaches Gary McKeegan and Brian Cardy.
11 Youths are making the trip, having been put through their paces last Sunday at the Orangefield track in Belfast with a refresher session, managing to avoid the Autumn leaves on the track banking, something that in the next couple of years will not be an issue, with the imminent announcement of Northern Irelands own state of the art facility 250metre indoor velodrome.
Monday 22 October
Local riders in line-up for new super squad
Mayo was the venue this week for the launch of a new UCI registered Irish cycling team. Over 100 guests attended the Lisloughrey Lodge hotel in Cong for the announcement of the roster for Team Pezula, a new outfit headed by current Irish National Champion David O`Loughlin.
Following the announcement at the end of the 2007 season that O`Loughlins American-backed Navigators Insurance squad was folding, it left him and team mate Ciaran Power looking for a new employer. O`Loughlins uncle, Declan stepped in as the owner of Pezula, a company specialising in the provision of project and cost management services to the construction industry, and the idea for a new team was born.
Included in the 9-rider squad are two of Northern Irelands top cyclists who will be joining forces in 2008. Newtownards man Matryn Irvine, who spent the bulk of 2007 in Belgium riding for the Sean Kelly academy team, and Ahoghill`s Ryan Connor who competed in the Giant Asia colours in `07.
Irvine, the younger of the two riders has excelled in both road and time trialling, lifting the 2006 Ulster Road Race Championship and a Bronze medal in the Under 23 Time Trial event in the same year. 2007 has been a learning year for the youngster, spending most of his season with the other Irish hopefuls in the Sean Kelly academy set-up in Belgium. That has obviously paid off, seeing him now snapped up by this new super team.
Connor is arguably Northern Irelands number 1 rider, despite having been around at the top for a few years, he is still relatively young at 23 years of age. Already a double P&O Tour of the North winner, he has also represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at World Championship level.
