January 2001 |
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Cycling allocated £206,700 in ISC funding: (Jan 25) The Irish Sports Council today released details of the annual funding for 65 National Governing Bodies totaling £4.8M. Cycling faired out quite well with a allocation of £206,700 which is 50% up on last years grant. The ISC grant includes increased funding for the FBD Milk Rás which is now a UCI ranked event, plus there is funding to support the Team Ireland squad to be based in France. There is also an increase in funding for administration, which will help the federation take on more full time staff to develop the sport. ISC Website >> Food Supplements: Study links creatine to cancer risk Jan 25 Dr Joe Cummiskey, chief medical officer with the Olympic Council of Ireland, has called for further caution on the use of creatine after a report published yesterday suggested a possible link between the food supplement and cancer. Read the full story in the Irish Times >> This is Insane !!! (Jan 23) Armstrong comes out against Texan anti-bunch bill. His website admits it's taken a while but cycling's most famous Texan has thrown his weight behind the campaign against SB 238, a bill to restrict the way Texan cyclists can use that state's roads. Among other things, the bill forbids riding two abreast and requires cyclists to wear a sign declaring they are "slow-moving vehicles". If enacted, this bill could have a have a devastating effect on mass rides and training bunches. The Texas Bicycle Racing Association has information on campaigning against the bill on its web site here. (http://www.txbra.org/home/statebill.html) You can read the bill for yourself HERE >> Want to be a club coach: The ICF are advertising 2 'level 1' weekend courses in Munster and Leinster which are taking place this February <See details here> Gerard Cromwell asks Ciaran Power, Deirdre Murphy, Robin Seymour & Tarja Owens 20 Questions <Go Here> MAJOR TOURS REDUCED IN LENGTH: (Jan 13) In a move seen as an effort to combat doping within cycling, the UCI has imposed limitations on the racing calendar of professional riders. The measures, which are due to be implemented in 2002, include a reshuffling of major fixtures and also limit the length of major stage races. Under the ruling, the 3 week Tours (France, Spain & Italy) now have to include a minimum of 2 rest days, are limited to 3,500km in length and may only have 2 stages in excess of 225km. Last year's Tour de France was 3630km, while the Tour of Italy was 3,707km. It is thought that the T de France takes 1-2 yrs of rider's life expectancy. The widespread belief that doping is endemic in professional cycling could throw the future of the Tour de France into doubt as it emerged that major sponsors may desert the event. Several major backers, including Credit Lyonnais and Fiat may pull out because of a lack of progress in resolving the drug problem. American giant Coca-Cola, which spends 30m francs each year, is less likely to stop supporting the Tour but has cut its annual spend to 6 million francs. 'We are under contract until 2003, but if the 2001 goes off like the last two there is no question of us continuing,' said a Credit Lyonnais spokesperson.
3rd Cats AGAIN! (By Gerard Cromwell) One of the first articles that I wrote for this site was about the good points and bad points of third category cycling in Ireland and whether it should be re-introduced this season. After tons of e-mail, all of which was for the re-introduction of 3rd cats, I am still getting more. There is a rumour going around at the moment that there will be third category racing next season, for new riders and those with no points from previous years. There is also a rumour going around that there will be a new 'novice' grade next season. This would be good for anybody starting off or anyone who hasn't raced for a few years, but for anyone who even started a race last season and decided it was too hard and never raced again, it wouldn't be open to them. The latest rumour is the introduction of a masters grade, which would see over 30's or over 35's racing with the juniors, probably a good idea, but what about any new riders under the age of 30? The sporting committee of the federation are at the moment deciding what to do about the situation and are urging clubs to tell them what they want. So, instead of e-mailing this website anymore - simply E-mail the federation at irishcyclingfed@eircom.net, Fax them at (01) 8551771, or simply write to them at Irish Cycling Federation, Kelly Roche House, 619 North Circular Road, Dublin 1. As it is already January and the racing calendar is in the process of being made out, the sooner you contact them the better. Best of luck for next season, whether you are an A, B, C, Junior, Vet, Ladies, or Masters!!!! POWER PREPARES: (By Gerard Cromwell Jan 4) While most of us were sitting in front of a cosy fire digesting the remnants of the Christmas turkey, or sitting on a high stool down the local trying to prolong the festive cheer, one man was out on his bike, in the freezing cold, in preparation for the 2001 professional cycling season. Waterford’s Ciaran Power spent six and a half hours of St. Stephen’s Day cycling around the roads of counties Waterford and Tipperary. The Linda McCartney team professional with the headline writers dream surname covered 130 miles in the freezing cold of an Irish winter. <Read more on this Here> Gerard Cromwell asks David McCann & Morgan Fox 20 Questions <Go Here>
ARMSTRONG TO AVOID FRANCE: Lance Armstrong, whose US Postal team are under investigation for possible drug use, will not ride in France before this year's Tour de France. Twice winner Armstrong said that he planned to contest four events in Spain as part of his build-up to his Tour de France defence in July. Armstrong has backed down on earlier threats to boycott this year's Tour de France and will attempt a third successive victory. More Snow on the way: Check out the weather for training, name the cyclists in the competition, get your own Free email address, play games - all this is Here >>
At 1.30 p.m. all the outstanding prizes from last years championships will be presented to the winners. ICF President PJ Nolan will outline the Federations new initiatives for 2001 and ICF high performance group chairman Paddy Doran will brief the members on plans for the national squads for the coming year. A meeting will also take place. According to ICF president PJ Nolan “it is very important for the members of the federation to know what is happening and this is a simple way of getting people together to discuss what our plans are for the future. Since being appointed I have had a number of meetings with different bodies who are interested in supporting cycling in Ireland. I am very encouraged by the level of support that is available from the Irish Sports council and the National Coaching and Training Centre. We have a lot of very talented enthusiastic people out there who are only too willing to help if they are approached in the right way. To do this we must put the right structures in place and above all we must keep the members of the Federation informed as to what’s going on at national and international level in the sport. The meeting at the Ardboyne Hotel is largely informal, really an information exchange but it is important to honour our champions and to present them with their awards. I hope a lot of people will come along, go for a cycle and then hear what’s happening in the federation.” Meeting Date: 21-01-2001 Venue: ARDBOYNE HOTEL, NAVAN ICF Advertise for Team / Squad Managers: (Dec 24) <Details Here> US POSTAL TEAM UNDER SCRUTINY: Urine samples provided by Lance Armstrong and his US Postal team mates during the 2000 Tour de France are to be analysed at the request of a French judicial inquiry into possible drug use. The samples will be tested to see if they show any use of illegal substances, according to a source close to the inquiry being conducted by judge Sophie-Helene Chateau. |
FITZY'S
FASHIONS: Do you
remember Michael Fitzgerald? The former Junior Tour winner, FBD Milk Ras stage
winner, Ruban Granitier stage winner and all around super sprinter?
"Yeah. Where is he now", I hear you cry! Well, today I was watching
television and all of a sudden, a familiar face popped up on the screen -
Fitzy's. There were clips of his newspaper cuttings showing his many triumphs,
his Trek was leaned neatly against his bedroom wall and then the man himself
spoke. "I use to be a full time cyclist, but now I'm a model."
The next shot showed the former fearless sprinter preening for the camera in the
middle of some photo shoot! I jest not! If you want to find out more, as I
bet you do, even if only to have enough ammunition to slag him off should he
make a comeback, then watch Gerry Ryan's Citizen's, on Network 2 at 7pm tomorrow
(Thur. Jan 11).
New
ICF President PJ Nolan sets up riders meeting: All cyclists are
invited to a meeting at the Ardboyne Hotel Navan Co. Meath on 21st of
January. At 9.30 a.m. all riders who are interested in being considered
for national squads in 2001 will meet at the hotel for a training session
lasting 3-4 hours. All seniors, juniors, ladies and mountain bike riders are
invited to attend and will be advised on plans for the coming year. Anyone else
interested in sampling the cycling delights of the Boyne valley is also invited.
Lunch consisting of soup, tea and sandwiches (cost £5) will be served from
12.30.