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Last Updated: Sep 5th, 2008 - 09:51:18 |
WEEKEND ROUNDUP:
By Tommy Campbell
Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent
Sep 3, 2008,
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© Tommy Campbell
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The days are shortening and so to is the cycling calendar from a competitive perspective. Back in the days of March, the enthusiasm for racing was high in the sky, but after the FBD Rás in May, the thermometer dropped and also the competition, particularly for the A's. This season they certainly got the thin of the wedge, but hopefully lessons will have been learned for the 2009 season.
LEINSTER CHAMPIONSHIPS
But, back to this weekend, those unfortunate A's will have the Leinster Championships promoted by the Cuchulainn CC. It'll be a popular place to be in the 'wee' County.
The very popular club in Louth will promote both the Leinster 25mile TT Championships and Leinster Road Race Championships. The TT Championships on Saturday will be held on the same course as was used the previous two years. The event starts about 2 miles outside of Carrickmacross on the by-pass (Castleblaney side). The course is out to Ardee, turn at the roundabout and back. The course has a number of rollers and a reasonable surface throughout. On paper there should be no opposition to Paul Healion of the South Dublin RC.
Only formed in the last number of years under the watchful eye of none other than Michael Lawless, the club have gained international recognition on a number of fronts. Plus they have bagged a number of prestigious wins. Michael would be the first to admit that it takes time and we have plenty of that.
On Sunday the action resumes with a road race. A last minute spanner in the works has meant that the club has had to move away from the traditional Knockbridge circuit that has been a regular on the Irish cycling calender for many a year. The race will now be held over laps of a 3.2 mile circuit in Ravensdale, just off the old Newry road. Once again sign on will be from Dowdalls Hill GFC.
If he has sufficiently recovered from the rigours of competing in the Tour of Ireland supported by Failte Ireland, then one should not cast the net out and trawl for none other than Stephen O'Sullivan of the MyHome.ie/Cycleways/BDBC for an outright winner. It has to be said that if you were analayse the fortunes of O'Sullivan since the FBD Rás, his rating would simply be the best as the songbird Tina Turner would blast out!
ADARE 2 DAY
One steps out and one steps in! The Woodlands in Adare have moved on and the new Charleville Park Hotel are the sponsors of the two-day formerly called the 'Adare' and now the Charleville Park Hotel Two-Day.
The main item on the agenda is that a race has not been lost off the calendar. Heading up the operation is Brian Jordan and no better man to be in control. This new hotel is on the Limerick side on the main Cork Road.
The format of event of the three stage remains very much as in previous years which speaks volumes on behalf of the organisation and as they would say, "if it is not broken don't fix it!."
Even the times have been set in stone.
Naturally the hotel is the HQ and to make things even cosier for those wishing to stay in the top class hotel, the management have kindly afforded the organisation the best rates available. All I can say, you would pay more in a B&B. The first stage is over 45 miles with the TT in the morning at 9 am and then followed by an other road stage over 52 miles.
Limerick CC have their sights set on an overall win. Considering the team were in top form recently in Westport and I would doubt very much f they left their form in the 'West.' This event is restricted to all bar the A' who have been singled out in recent months with little or no competition.
VETERANS ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Naturally I have left the good wine until the last. So, the veterans who number many these days. It would not surprise me in the next two to four years that they, the veterans will have by far the biggest grouping in cycling.
Obviously I don't want you to drown in your favourite cereal. The facts are there and the denials will come quick and fast. You don't have to be a wise owl to see what is coming down the track! As a very good friend and dear colleague of mine would say? With his hand in the air minus a finger or two "Correct me if I'm wrong."
Anyhow enough of looking into the crystal ball. This is the Sunday when the Veterans take centre stage and promote their very own championship.
The defending champion is Martin O'Loughlin and you would be tempted to ignore the rest of the competitors. First and foremost he is also the Time Trial Champion and then when you research the winners of the year! His name crops up as the winner of the Lacy Cup which was the opener for the year back in February. It didn't stop there, he just kept up the momentum and on Sunday, it looks as though the crown would be in sitiu for the year ahead.
But, possibly the real danger could come with within the Dan Morrissey/Carrick Wheeler ranks. Step up to the platform Rory Wyley, yes another one who has joined he illustrious ranks of those men in the lycra and their machines. Rory of course broke the longstanding Irish record for the 100 miles TT a couple of weeks ago!
So the hot money could be on the Dungarvan man to change the role with Martin. Bet you, one thing that they'll be unified in their quest to keep the title Carrick-side. Also the duo of Leslie O'Donnell and Sean McIlroy have an interest in the proceedings. Both the lads are eager to pick up their fifth medal in a row as winners of the team title.
Whilst I am quiet satisfied that O'Loughlin or Wyley will have the gold and the silver. I am scratching my head and saying and going on the performance of the Limerick lads in the Westport Grand Prix that they are not there to make up the numbers. Limerick's Tom Shanahan and Brain Quinn have bypassed the local event on their doorstep to take on the might of Tipperary. Martin Phillips is the third member of the Shannonside club and hopefully is spate of punctures will no revisit him on this occasion. This team title could right down to the wire!
(Also) ULSTER ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Phoenix CC is hosting the All Ireland Veterans' Road Race Championship and Ulster Senior/Junior/Women?s Road Race Championships. The venue is Dundrod. The circuit will be a challenging one as this is a national championship and Phoenix CC intends to make the event a memorable one for all participants and spectators. The event will also include the Ulster Vets championship with medals for the Ulster cyclists in the Vets race.
Details are as follows:
Distances:
Ulster Seniors & Ulster Juniors: 58 miles
All-Ireland Vets & Ulster Vets: 51 miles
Ulster Women: 36 miles
Sign-on & race HQ: 8:30-9:45,
at Lamh Dearg GAA Club, Upper Springfield Road, Hannahstown, BT17 0LZ
Presentations and refreshments at this venue after the event.
Race Start times: 10:00 am for Vets & Women; Seniors & Juniors will
start approx. 15 mins. later.
Entry fee: £10 for all riders, except Juniors - £5
All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt
Start/finish is at the Dundrod Motorcycle pits.
Please note that you must have a Cycling Ireland Racing Licence;
alternatively you can purchase a one-day licence at Race HQ. Riders
with Club Licences will not be permitted to race unless they obtain a
one-day licence.
Please direct all queries to Eamon Burns: eamon_burns@btinternet.com
Phoenix CC gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship provided by Lisburn
Borough Council, Red Bull, and Draynes Farm
INTO THE WEST CYCLE CHALLENGE
Thirteen years ago thirty cyclists from Mullingar decided to cycle the 180 mile round trip to Galway over a weekend to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI). The cycle has since become an annual event and has grown from strength to strength with up to 250 cyclists from all over Ireland participating in this year’s event.
Easy to spot on-route in their pink cycling jerseys, the cyclists are due to arrive in Eyre Square, Saturday next, the 6th of September, between 5pm and 5.30pm and will be met by the Mayor of Galway, Pádraig Conneely.
The group leave from Flannery's Hotel, at 10am Sunday morning for the return leg to Mullingar. Since the cycle began, the cyclists have managed to raise over €500,000 for NBCRI.
AUDAX IRELAND 200k
Sunday 7th of September, Sorrento C.C/Audax Ireland are running a 200k audax event on Sunday the 7th starting at Bray Wheelers Clubhouse at 08.00hrs.Shower facilities available at finish. 10 euro for CI members 20 euro for non members requiring a day licence. Further details Paul O'Donoghue 087-7850890 podluna@hotmail.com
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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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