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Last Updated: Aug 28th, 2008 - 11:27:04 |
WEEKEND FIXTURES
By Tommy Campbell
Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent
Aug 28, 2008,
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© Tommy Campbell
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After last year’s successful Veterans Omnium in the National Championships and a re-emergence of some of the not so young riders in recent weeks this years Championships will make for great racing.
Making a return to the track after 40 years! Yes! Forty years since he rode the track is Paddy Fitzsimons. Of course in days gone by Paddy like his brother Christy were past masters of the road. As I would say, 'they were king of the roads, and I am not saying what era.
I caught up with Paddy in recent days and he told me, "Yes, I am havinga go at the track on Saturday. Track in recent years has come a long way. Now, since conquered the road, my next ambition is the track. Dublin Wheelers CC are certainly enjoying their celebrations during their 75th years. The club had a big win win last Sunday in the 'Westport grand prix' with Michael Redden getting the verdict. It is like the old days when the 'Wheelers' were continually in the frame, not that they have been out of the limelight in recent years," said Paddy.
All riders must compete in all 4 events with all riders being placed in order for the purpose of crowning our new National Veteran Track Champion. The four events will be Sprint, 2km Pursuit, 500 metre (standing start) TT and a 20 lap scratch race and the proposed agenda of events are listed below which is subject to change
1000 >1030 Sign on & Bike Hire – Entry Fee €20
1030 >1100 Open Track
1100 >1130 Sprint Qualifiers (Flying 200's)
1130 >1245 2km pursuit
1245 - 1300 Lunch
1300 >1315 Open Track
1315 >1345 Sprint rounds
1345 >1430 500 metre TT
1445 >1530 Sprint Finals
1530 > 1545 Open Track
1545 20 lap scratch
Bikes for hire will be available on the day and riders must have a Cycling Ireland Racing (or Track) Veterans Licence or IVCA racing licence on which they are listed as Irish Nationality
ALL RIDERS MUST HAVE PASSED ACCREDITATION IN ADVANCE OF SATURDAY 30th. No pre-registration required but we would appreciate an e-mail (trackcyclingireland@gmail.com ) or text (Hugh Byrne 086-3488708 or Will Byrne 086 8047839) to indicate if you are coming as it will help us get an idea of numbers and assist us in planning qualifying rounds of sprint etc.
KILMESSAN CO. MEATH
I have no doubt that at least some of the veterans will show up in Kilmessan for the Beechmount Cup which will be on the start line at six o'clock on Saturday for 45kms of racing. Talking with Noel Clarke about the event and who was the defending champion. Paul Healion is the defending champion, but he will not be here as he is off representing the national team in the Tour of Ireland. Paul had a less than an auspicious start to the race on Wednesday when he hit the deck on the descent of the Inistioge climb and he can be observed in the Irish Independent sport section on page 11 in the midst of the bushes.
Incidentally, the cup went missing last year, so any help in tracking it down would be greatly appreciated to Noel Clarke.
On Sunday the Navan/Avonmore CC have a double header and again unfortunately the title holder Paul is missing again for obvious reasons from the Collins/Christle event which rolls out from the Kilmessan, Main Street at two o'clock for 80kms of racing.
Also on the bill is the Leinster Under Age championships for Leinster riders ONLY. The organisation wants to emphasise this and there will no change on that.
Only last week a number of Leinster cyclist performed admirably in Kanturk at the Nations. Racing will also be located for under age in Kilmessan and the start is mid-day.
Under 12: Darragh Long, Orwell Wheelers
Under 13: Darragh Campbell, Drogheda Wheelers and Ciaran Campbell, Drogheda Wheelers
Under 14: James Lynch, Navan Road Club
Under 15: Javan Nulty, Stamullen Road Club and David Boyd, Navan Avonmore
Under 16: Benner McGuire, Drogheda Wheelers and Ben Dowling, Bray Wheelers
NORTH POLE CC EVENTS
They may have made their initial venture into the world of competitive cycling with the staging of the All Ireland Hill Climb Championship last Saturday! But, North Pole CC are back on stage on Sunday with an open race and a leisure event.
The sign-on is from 10.30am at the North Pole Bar, Drumfrees which is North Pole Cycling Club's temporary clubhouse. It is situated 5 miles north of Buncrana on the road to Carndonagh/Clonmany.
The race will start and finish at the North Pole Bar which is on a Y-junction, the right hand side going to Carndonagh and the left to Clonmany. The course which is 20 miles long is repeated three times and brings in Carndonagh (after7 miles), Ballyliffin (after 14 miles).Clonmany (after 15 miles) and back to the start after another 5 miles. The first 7 mile stage starts with a 1.5mile steady climb called Barnan Hill.The other side of Barnan is fast for 5miles over the 'Mountain Road' which has no farms or houses but does have wandering sheep coming off the heather to occasionally test your brakes.
The finish is ideally suited for a sprint finish. North Pole CC held this race as a 40mile, two lap race last year. Ronan Mc Laughlin and Joe Barr gave a good account of themselves finishing in less than 1hour 30 mins. Joe told Carl Fullerton afterwards that he did not come out of the big ring during the two laps. Ronan beat him by a few secs. North Pole use this course for training in the club and feel it is ideal for racing. It will also be good training for anyone preparing for the Vets and Senior Championships at Dundrod the following week.
The event starts at mid-day but sign-on is from 10.30. and will be handicapped. Vets over 50 probably setting off first. After all the groups have been dispatched the Leisure group will then set off. Should the Leisure group be caught by the racers they are asked to sit in until the race has passed. Helmets are compulsory for the Leisure ride. The Leisure ride allows anyone who wants a few miles of hard racing to enter the Competitive event, knowing that should they get dropped they will be able to drop back into the Leisure group and still have some craic.
Women, Youth and Vets over 50 are particularly welcome. Soup and tea and sandwiches will be served at the North Pole Bar at 3pm. As usual a warm Donegal welcome will greet all participants whatever their interests or abilities.
All enquiries to Carl Fullerton 00353-862788497 or carlfullerton@hotmail.com
OTHER NEWS
And Finally: A former winner of the Westport Grand Prix Frank O'Leary was notable for his absence last Sunday in the Co. Mayo town. News reaching me is the bould Frank is riding the world masters road race 30-34 in Austria this weekend. He has been based in Hamburg Germany for last few weeks training and racing. So, obviously that's one mystery solved!
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IMPORTANT: All articles,
quotes and results which appear on this page are strictly © Copyright
2008 Tommy Campbell,
IrishCycling.com.
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