May 2000

FBD MILK RÁS  Stage 9:  The final stage of the FBD Milk Rás was won by Tommy Evans of the Ireland Team - Julian Winn of Wales retained the overall position - Pictures of Stage 9 >>  - Stage 9 Full Results >>

Stage 8:  Today's 8th stage of the FBD Milk Ras from Enniscorthy to Tullow was won by Steven O'Sullivan of the Derry Team. Wales' Julian Winn keeps the yellow jersey for tomorrow's final stage through the streets of Dublin. - Stage 8 Full Results >> - - Another spectacular day on the FBD Milk Rás see the full story here 50 Pictures of Stage 8 >>
Stage 7: Mitchelstown to Enniscorthy 1 J Tanner England 3:27:23 2 R Clarke Derry Clarke +0:01 3 P Brown Scotland -- 4 M Albertsson Sweden +0:10 5 T Nilsson Sweden -- 6 E Moriarty Ireland ICS -- Overall:  1 J Winn Wales 26:34:24 2 W Randle Provision +1:20 3 M Lovatt England +1:33 4 P Moriarty Dublin Skip Hire +1:46 5 D O'Loughlin Mayo +2:27 6 K Ingeby Sweden +3:44 Points Leader: D McCann 63 points KOM Leader: D McCann 56 points Leading Team: England Pro-Vision - Stage 7 Full Results >>
Stage 6: David McCann of the Derry Clarke team has won the sixth stage in the FBD Milk Ras from Kenmare to Michelstown. McCann finished 6 seconds clear of Tommy Evans of the Irish team. The new overall leader is Julian Wynn of Wales, with Paddy Moriarty now the best placed Irish cyclist in fourth place. Yesterday's leader, David O'Loughlin of Mayo, is now back in fifth place. Stage 6 Full Results >> 

Stage 5: David O'Loughlin of Mayo has retained the yellow jersey after today's stage of the FBD Milk Ras from Listowel to Kenmare.  The stage was won by England's Gethin Butler with David McCann of the Derry Clarke team in second, 40 seconds behind Butler with another English rider Mark Lovett in third. Stage 5 Full Results >> - Cian Lynch's Report 4 >>
Stage 4: David O'Loughlin of Mayo has taken the yellow jersey after today's stage of the FBD Milk Ras. Today's fourth stage was the longest, a distance of over 120 miles taking the riders from Oughterard in Galway to Listowel, Co Kerry. Stage 4 Full Results >> - - Cian Lynch's Report 4 >>
Stage 3: England's Mark Lovett has retained the leader's Yellow Jersey after today's stage of the FBD Milk RAS from Newport to Oughterard.  The stage was won by Welsh man Julian Wynne, ahead of England's Wayne Randle with David McCann of the Derry/Clarke team third All three finished in the same time. Overall: 1 Mark Lovatt PUN, 2 P Moriarty SKH, 3 S O'Sullivan DCC - Stage 3 Full Results >> - - Cian Lynch's Report 3 >>
Stage 2: Brian Kineally Tipperary Team wins stage 2 into Newport on his own 51" ahead of the chasers John Tanner and David McCann  New Leader Mark Lovatt Pro Vision ENG and 2nd on same time Stephen O'Sullivan Clarkes Nissan - Stage 2 Full Results >> - - Cian Lynch's Report 2 >>
Stage 1: 1 Cuppens,Tjarco BEL Belgium DMC 3h32'28", 2 Winn,Julian WAL Wales 3h32'31" @ 03", 3 Nilsson,Tobias SWE Sweden Malarenergi same, 4 Moriarty,Eugene IRL Ireland Int. Cargo Sv same, 5 Easton,Denis PTX Antrim Planet X same, 6 Duff,Aidan DMY Carlow Dan Morrissey same  General Classification: 1 Winn,Julian WAL Wales 3h32'18", 2 Cuppens,Tjarco BEL Belgium DMC 3h32'19" @ 01", 3 Moriarty,Eugene IRL Ireland Int. Car 3h32'24" @ 06"  See Pictures Here >> - -  Stage 1 Full Results >> - -  Cian Lynch's Report 1 >>
More Rás Pictures: - <The Teams> - <Other Pictures> - Rás Site: www.fbdmilkras.com 

FOX IN JAPAN: (Shane Stokes May 28) Fellow Irish professional Morgan Fox registered his third top twenty placing in the Tour of Japan today, finishing 16th on the 6th and final stage. The Athlone cyclist ended the race best of the Tonissteiner team in 42nd overall, 35 minutes and 22 seconds behind overall winner Mauro Gianetti of Switzerland.

(MAY 25) Irish professional Morgan Fox placed 31st in yesterday's third stage of the Tour of Japan, 11 min and 30 seconds behind overall leader Maurio Gianetti. Fox currently lies 28th overall. 

EMYVALE GRAND PRIX - 1 Peter Dunne Usher IRC, 2 John Peppard McNally Swords, 3 Franz Hoeritzauer Ards CC, 4 Chris Brown Orchard Whl, 5 Paul Healion Usher IRC, 6 Laurent Dumolin Belgium, 1st B Mark Kavanagh Omagh Whl, Vet Robert Maxwell Orchard Whl, Jun Philip Duignan Four Masters.  U12 Gavin Broon Kanturk Credit Union, U14 David Dunlop Lakelands, U16 Trevor Wright Orchard Whl

Mullingar Grand Prix - 1 Graham Thomas Ravens, 2 Finn O'Sullivan Newbridge Cutlery, 3 Robert Looby Cahills Naas, 4 Stefan Engemann St.Tiernans, 5 Denis Marhouris Australia, 6 David Nugent Thermo King, Jun PJ O'Halloran Duhallow Whl, Vet Seamus Kennedy Navan Avonmore, Lady Margerite Philips Lakeside Mullingar.  U16 Brian O'Connor Duhallow Whl, U14 Shane O'Halloran Duhallow Whl, U12 Cloe Farrell Hillcrest 

Dublin Bay Cycle - (May 21) Over 2000 cyclists took part in the Dublin Bay Charity Cycle from Sutton cross to Bray town today. The family fun day event was run by Superquinn in aid of Beaumont Hosiptal See pictures of event Here >>

The stage is set for the 2000 FBD MILK RÁS (By GERARD CROMWELL June 15) With the days, hours and minutes ticking away to the start of the 2000 FBD Milk Ras, Irelands top cyclists are fine tuning their bikes and their bodies in preparation for the nine day event.  Read the full story >>

Belfast City Council evening of cycling in Belfast City Centre on Thursday 25th May.  Date: Thursday 25 May Venue: Belfast City Centre Racing starts at 7.00pm and will finish by 8.45pm  Entry fee £2 per person for entries received before Monday 22 May To confirm entry contact John News on 9064 7065 (evenings) or 3831 6813 (daytime).  Circuit: Start/Finish at rear of City Hall, Adelaide Street, Clarence Street, Bedford Street. Racing and prizes for all categories (Underage, Junior, Senior, Veteran & Ladies) U-12 6 LAPS, U-14 8 LAPS, U-16 10 LAPS, JUNIORS/VETERANS/SENIORS 40 MINS + 3 LAPS.  Attractions/events: Displays throughout the evening by Team Extreme- a team of professional trials/MTB riders from England - thrills and spills guaranteed!

Over £500 in prizes - Teams confirmed from Newtownards, Newry, Bangor, Ballymena, Crumlin, Lurgan, Lisburn, Belfast.  Open to ICF/NICF licence holders; one-day ICF licence will be available on the evening.  Sign-on at Race Caravan (behind City Hall) from 6.30pm on the evening.  Changing/showers available in the Belfast YMCA adjacent to the circuit.  Belfast City Council are aiming to create a carnival atmosphere on the evening, so there will be music etc throughout the event. Event is part of the week-long Millennium Sports Festival, which is all part of the BFS2K celebrations. 

Waterford Crystal Shay Elliott Mem 72 miles: (ICF PR May 14) With a week to go to the FBD Milk Ras it was the last chance for all the top riders in the country to test each other. At the end of the 72 miles around the Wicklow countryside the winner was local man Stephen O'Sullivan (Clarke Nissan) who had a minute to spare over second place Eddie O'Donoghue.   O'Sullivan was part of a leading break of 19 riders which was two minutes clear when they hit the Glenmalore climb. The break split with O'Sullivan going clear with O'Donoghue and Brian Lennon but left them as they neared the summit. Over the remaining 20 miles a chasing group never made any impact on O'Sullivan who entered Bray for his first win of the Year and a possible favourite for next weeks Ras.  

Results: 1 Stephen O'Sullivan Clarke Nissan 2:49'12", 2 Eddie O'Donoghue Carrick Cidona @56", 3 Shane Baker Usher IRC @same, 4 Brian Lennon St.Tiernans @same, 5 Eddie Keogh Carrick Cidona @same, 6 Bill Moore Stamullen @same, 7 John Crowley Killarney CC @same, 8 John McCarthy Killarney CC @same See Pictures Here >> - Read Cian's Report >>

ULSTER CYCLING FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIP RICH HILL 68 miles 1 Dennis Easton Maryland Whl 2:42'27", 2 Keith Gallagher Orchard Whl @05", 3 Chris Green Clann Eireann @same, 4 Paul Kane Northern CC @same, 5 Philip Kidis Northern CC @23", 6 Jonathan Dempsey Clarke Nissan @27".

JOHN BEGGS MEM IN BANBRIDGE (May 13) 1 Tommy Evans Clarkes Nissan 2:59'15", 2 Paul Doyle Unatt @same, 3 Brendan Doherty Provision X @03", 4 Denis Easton Maryland Whl @1'35", 5 Mark Sittleton Clarke Nissan @same, 6 Bill Moore Stamulen @same, 7 Roger Aiken Banbridge @same, 8 Jan Sweeney Newry Whl @same, 1st Jun Philip Duignan Fourmasters, 1st Vet Jan Sweeney Newry Whl 

200 Riders signed up for Rás:  (May 11) A record entry of 200 riders have entered for this year's FBD Milk Rás.  Some 120 riders are from Ireland along with teams from Belgium, Germany, Holland, Estonia, Latvia, USA, England, Scotland and Wales.  The Rás starts in Dublin on the 20th May See the full Start List Here >>

MORGAN FOX IN SPAIN On today's severe stage of the Vuelta Asturias in Spain, Irish cyclist Morgan Fox finished in 92nd place.  Fox was 19.06 behind stage winner and new overall leader Joseba Beloki of the Festina team.   The race is one of the most difficult Fox has contested in his short career bue he has shown he is coping with the demands of racing against a field containing some of the worlds best.  The Athlone rider is currently best placed overall of his Tonissteiner team in 98th place overall. The race ends tomorrow with a 160k stage to Oviedo.

POWER STARTS TOUR OF ITALY (May 11) After seven years without an Irish rider in one of cycling's three major Tours, Waterford's Ciaran Power gives the sport a massive boost tomorrow when he starts the three week Tour of Italy.  The 24-year-old is part of a nine man Linda Cartney squad, based in Toulouse, and which has aspirations of competing  in next year's Tour de France.   Power has impressed so far this year by placing highly in stages of the Tirreno-Adriatico and Settimana Ciclista Internaziole races.  The race begins with a 6km time trial in the Vatican City and finishes 21 days and over 3,700km later in Milan on June 4.  <See the Full Story> 

FOX WELL PLACED IN SPAIN  (May 11) Despite sacrificing his own chances for  team leader Michel Van Haecke in the second stage of the Spanish Vuelta Asturias race, Irish professional Morgan Fox sprinted home in 14th place behind winner Henk Vogels.  The 25-year-old Athlone cyclist had suffered lately with a persistent chest infection, but this latest showing indicates that the former national champion has now recovered.  The Vuelta Asturias continues until Sunday. 

EAGLE GRAND PRIX PHEONIX PARK (May 7) 1 Bernie McCormack Ravens CC, 2 Tim Aherne Bray Whls, 3 Jim Cassidy Garda Motorworld, 4 Graham Thomas Ravens CC, 5 Robert Looby Cahills Naas, 6 Dave O’Reilly Usher IRC See Pictures Here >>

Irish Junior team for Shay Elliot: Conor Murphy, Michael Dennehy, Tim Ahern, Noel Maloney.

Lincon Gran Prix Results: 1 Newton, Chris MIDDRIDGE CRT 4:00:55, 2 Tanner, John PRO-VISION @ 0sec, 3 Manning, Paul ALSAGER MRT @ 23secs 4 Lovatt, Mark PRO-VISION @ 3:07 Irish Placings: 16 Moriarty, Patrick IRELAND @ 4:19, 43 Moriarty, Eugene IRELAND @ 4:19, 44 O'Sullivan, Stephen IRELAND @ 4:19 , 51 Moore, Bill IRELAND @ 14:43.

WALLER CUP IN BOHERMEEN - Brian Lennon scored his second victory of the year when he took the Waller Cup in convincing style Bohermeen Navan yesterday. Lennon was part of a six-man break, which went after two laps of the seven lap race which also included race favourite Philip Cassidy, but the break was caught by the bunch going into the second last lap.  Lennon went clear again with seven others and stayed away to the finish, with Lennon beating Adrian Hederman for the sprint.  Results 72 Miles: 1 Brian Lennon St.Tiernans 2:44'21", 2 Adrian Hedderman Carrick Cidona @same, 3 Craig Sweetman Stamullen @07", 4 Andrew Donnellan Dublin Whl @same, 5 Aidan Crowley UnAtt @same, 6 Tom Hughes Stamullen @same, B Race: 1 Seamus Kennedy Navan Avonmore, 2 Joseph Magill Ravens, 3 Robert Looby Cahills Naas, 4 Sean Farrell Hillcrest Hire, 5 Finn O'Sullivan Newbridge Cutlery, 6 Andrew O'Carroll UCD, Lady Maria Reilly Bohermeen, Junior Race: 1 Niall O'Leary Usher IRC, 2 Noor Nassan Usher IRC, 3 Dave Roache Castlebar CC. U16: 1 James Lattimore Aqua IRC U14; 1 David Ward Aqua IRC, U12: 1 Shane Parfrey Unatt

SILVER PAIL GRAND PRIX - Eddie O'Donoghue had another win in the Silver Pail GP in Fermoy, when he won the four-man sprint, which was originally an eight man break which split in the last of the 5 laps.  Results: 1 Eddie O'Donoghue Carrick Cidona, 2 Paul Griffen Dan Morrissey, 3 Eddie Keogh Carrick Cidona, 4 Tim Barry St.Finbars, 5 Nigel Forde Thermo King, 6 John Murphy Triton Fermoy, 1st B Mike Storan O'Meara Limerick, 1st Jun Michael Dennehy Kanturk Credit Union, 1st Vet Kevin O'Leary St Finbars. U16: Paudie O'Brien Kanturk Credit Union, U14: Shane O'Halloran Duhallow Whl, U12: Gavin Brown Kanturk Credit Union

TOUR OF THE MOURNES - 1 Tommy Evans Clarke Nissan, 2 Robert Bryson Pheonix CC, 3 Andrew Meehan Cahills Naas, 4 Denis Easton Maryland Whl, 5 Brendan Doherty Provision, 6 David McMullen East Antrim, 1st B Dessie Foley Sligo CC, 1st Jun Philip Duigan Fourmasters, 1st Vet Jan Sweeney Newry CC.

TOUR OF ULSTER - Pictures of Stage 4 : (by Jerome Rafferty) See them Here >>

IRISH IN ACTION IN LINCOLN GRAND PRIX - A strong Irish team will contest Sunday's Lincoln Grand Prix in England. Eugene Moriarty, Paddy Moriarty, Stephen O'Sullivan and Bill Moore will line up as part of a strong international field in the 2.6 world-ranked event.  The team can take encouragement from the strong showing last year by Irish rider Ciaran Power, who placed third in the event and then went on to turn professional.  Irish cyclists Brian Kenneally, Eddie O Donoghue and Martin O Loughlin from the Cidona Carrick squad also travel, as well as the Belgian-based Dermot Finnegan. 

Irish Junior team for Shay Elliot: Conor Murphy, Michael Dennehy, Tim Ahern, Noel Maloney.

Peelo Wins Ben McKenna Memorial: Balbriggan (Apr 30) Results: 1 David Peelo Sorrento CC 2:46:32, 2 Sean Bracken Usher IRC --, 3 Gerard Madden Obelisk CC +0:45, 4 Darry McVeigh Cahills Naas --, 5 David McQuaid UCD --, 6 Petet Dunne Usher IRC, 1st B Paul Reid Finglas Ravens, Junior Conor Murphy Emyvale McKenna, Veteran Seamus Kennedy Navan Avonmore, Lady Marie Reilly Bohermeen, U16 Paul Brady Emyvale McKenna, U14 Thomas J Jenson Sorrento, U12 Paul Lavery Garda CC - See Pictures Here >>

Dickie Comerford Memorial (Phoenix Park 28 mls May 2) Results: 1 P Dunne Usher  59:35, 2 D Peelo Sorrento, 3 B Lennon St Tiernans CC +03, 4 K Norgrove Dublin Whs +07, 5 C Bracken Usher +04, 6 B Hammond Staggs Cycles +09, LADIES: 1 Susan O'Meara Dublin Whls, VETERANS: 1 Tosh Lavery Garda CC  See Pictures Here >> Download MPEG Videos: <Start> <Main Road>

TOUR OF ULSTER - Final Stage Report: Philip Cassidy added the Tour of Ulster to this season's list of successes, when he took the lead in today's time trial and then held on to secure overall victory.  Cassidy finished safely in the bunch on this afternoon's 50 mile circuit race, finishing in the same time as stage winner Colm Bracken, but crucially also crossing the line in the company of main rival Tommy Evans.  This marks Cassidy s eighth success of the season, and follows a commanding win in the Tour of the North last weekend.   It also cements standing as favourite for this month's FBD Milk Ras.  (Confirmed Results © Rapid Results Monaghan - Monaghan, May 1) Results:  1 Bracken,Colm Usher Insulation IRC 1h55'11", 2 Crowley,Aidan Swords McNally same, 3 Bann-Lavery,John Ulster Cycling Federa same, 4 Moriarty,Eugene Stamullen Road Club same, 5 Evans,Tommy Clarke Contracts Niss same  FINAL GC: 1 Cassidy,Philip Avonmore Navan C 8h34'10", 2 Evans,Tommy Clarke Contracts 8h34'26" @ 16", 3 O'Sullivan,Stephen Clarke Contracts @ 49", 4 Moriarty,Patrick Les Jeunes Dubli @ 01'53", 5 Kenneally,Brian Cidona Carrick W @ 02'08". Cian Lynch's Riders Race Report >> - Stage 4 results here >>

FBD Milk Rás News Release: (Apr 28)  With three weeks to go to the start of  the FBD Milk Ras, it has been announced  that teams from Estonia and Latvia have  been added to the line-up.  After placing sixth in 1998, Sigvard Kukk returns as leader of a strong Estonian team, while Armanos Baranovskis captain the Latvian quintet.  The two Eastern European teams join squads already confirmed from Germany, Egypt, Holland, England, Scotland and Wales for the May 20 start in Dublin.  The Irish challenge is led by 38-yr-old Philip Cassidy, who is aiming to be only the third rider to successfully defend the title.  Rás Details >>

Rás line-up gets stronger: (by Shane Stokes in the Irish Times Apr 28th):   
A host of international teams may already have been confirmed for next month's FBD Milk Rás, but as the weeks go by the field continues to gather strength. MORE >>