February 2002 |
|
New results co-ordinator: (BY Gerard Cromwell Feb 21) Cycling Ireland have appointed Kay Howard of Stamullen Road Club as their new race results co-ordinator for 2002. Kay, who is a familiar face at weekly finish lines, will then pass on the results to the Cycling Ireland database where riders points will be awarded and the new rider ranking system for 2002 will take shape. The new rider rankings will be updated each month, so it is imperative that clubs, commissaires etc. send in their race resultsimmediately after each race. Results can be e-mailed to Kay at results@cyclingireland.ie or phone to 01 8411352 CYCLING RETURNS TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: (By Shane Stokes) The Inter-varsities road race championships are set to be resurrected this year with the 2002 edition to be hosted by NUI Galway on April 10th. For more details, contact David at jbrennan@nuigalway.ie or at 087 9305535. The championship revival coincides with a drive to promote cycling throughout third-level institutions in general, as both a competitive and leisure activity. Mill O’Duffy of the UCD cycling club is heading the move and can be reached at ucdcc@hotmail.com EUROSPORT CAMPAIGN GROWS: (By Shane Stokes Feb 14) The campaign to return Eurosport to TV screens is continuing with the online petition now featuring over 1200 signatures from angry sports fans. On average 150-200 signatures a day are added, with a downloadable petition in Microsoft Word form also available for those who wish to print it out and collect more names. It is hoped that Cycling Ireland will back the campaign and allow the petition to be present at race sign-on desks; with Eurosport the sole channel to provide dedicated coverage of our sport, the backing of CI is of importance to cycling fans. The petition signatories are calling on NTL to reverse their decision to replace the channel with CNBC Europe. Some of them are threatening to go with Sky digital instead if this is not done. The petition, and other details, can be accessed via the new portal site, www.bringbackeurosport.com Tour de Langkawi 2002 <See pictures of all 10 stages - click here> Cycling Events 2002: Check out details of upcoming Stage Races Here >> Leinster Road Race League: Please note that the Boot Inn venue is changed to Clonee on the 9th of march. There are 4 races in the league and they will be all handicapped. Details Here.. Cipo Wins Washed-Out Stage: (By Shane Stokes Feb 14) Italian super sprinter Mario Cipollini took his first victory of the year in today’s second stage of the Tour of the Mediterranean, propelling his new Acqua e Sapone jersey to the fore of a small group at the finish in Le Cannet on the Cote D’Azur. Fast racing and cold, driving rain combined to make things difficult for the field, and by the end of the stage the peloton was fragmented into many small groups. Riders of the caliber of Michael Boogerd and Jonathan Vaughters were amongst those left suffering in the hostile conditions, but with the Milan-San Remo classic fast approaching, it is clear that Cipollini is in good form and aiming to better his second place last year. The thirty-four year old Italian has changed teams this season, and his new squad proved as effective as the old Saeco ‘Red Train’ in this, his first race of 2002. As the riders sped through the 1 km to go banner, the zebra-patterned jerseys of Acqua e Sapone were lined out at the front ensuring a slick lead-out for Cipollini. He didn’t disappoint, pounding clear on the slightly-uphill run to the line and holding off Norwegian rider Thor Hushovd to take his 13th stage victory of the Mediterranean tour. EUROSPORT CAMPAIGN GROWS: (By Shane Stokes Feb 14) The campaign to return Eurosport to TV screens is continuing with the online petition now featuring over 1200 signatures from angry sports fans. On average 150-200 signatures a day are added, with a downloadable petition in Microsoft Word form also available for those who wish to print it out and collect more names. It is hoped that Cycling Ireland will back the campaign and allow the petition to be present at race sign-on desks; with Eurosport the sole channel to provide dedicated coverage of our sport, the backing of CI is of importance to cycling fans. The petition signatories are calling on NTL to reverse their decision to replace the channel with CNBC Europe. Some of them are threatening to go with Sky digital instead if this is not done. The petition, and other details, can be accessed via the new portal site, www.bringbackeurosport.com Michele Bartoli retains the yellow jersey he took in yesterday’s opening team time trial. The Italian is now just one second ahead of Hushovd, who nabbed a time bonus during the stage.
Last night at the launch of CYCLING IRELAND in Dublin, former world No. 1 Sean Kelly was asked a seemingly innocuous question by RTÉ’s Jimmy McGee. Did he ever think about racing again? “Well, yes” said the former five times Tour De France points jersey winner. “I often thought about it allright. But then, when you go out with some of the lads who are going to be racing and you get a hammering, you don’t be long about changing your mind!” “So you're not going to ride the Rás then Sean?” enquired Jimmy as the laughter died. “No. There was talk of me riding the Rás, but I just don’t have the condition. If there was time for me to train, then yes I could do it. But I’m away for maybe five weeks on the road and in cycling you can’t go away for so long because you lose so much fitness it just wouldn’t be worth it. You lose your fitness so quickly and it’s so hard to get it back, it’s just not fair really.” “I’d say there’s a couple of hundred people who’ll be delighted you're not riding the Ras” answered Jimmy to guffaws of laughter. “Well,” continued Kelly “there’s a new category starting up. A third category, which is going to be veterans and that, so, I might ride a few races… I’ll see.” Before there is a hatful of complaints about a former professional riding as a third cat. Mr. Kelly is now over 40 years of age, a veteran, and there is nothing to stop him competing in this category. So if you're coming to the finish of the Gorey 3-Day and you think you recognise the heaving, bulking mass of muscle beside you with his head down, arse up and elbows out, you’re not suddenly hallucinating due to the severity of the course. The man the French called “The cannibal” is back. --- Forewarned is forearmed as they say.
Besides the introduction of a more user-friendly and modern name, there are several reasons for today’s relaunch. The body is considerably different to that of one year ago, with a new president, CEO, development officer, a restructured board and various commissions all in place. The aims of the governing body have also become broader, with leisure and commuter cycling now an increasing part of its focus. <Read More Here> Dignam Promises Toughest Rás: (By Shane Stokes Feb 1) FBD Milk Rás race director Dermot Dignam has promised that this year's race, the 50th edition, will feature "one of the toughest ever" routes in the event's history. Read the full story in the Irish Times >> |
KELLY
Set For COMEBACK?
(By Gerard Cromwell Feb 12) Just when you thought it
was safe to take that old dusty bike out of the shed
and apply for a third category licence, the
competition seems to be hotting up already.
CYCLING
IRELAND OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED:
(By Shane Stokes, Irish Times cycling correspondent Feb
11) While it has been functioning as Cycling
Ireland for a number of weeks, the Irish Cycling
Federation was today (Monday) officially relaunched
under its new title at a reception in Dublin. In
attendance were former champions Sean Kelly and Stephen
Roche, plus An Tanaíste Mary Harney and John Treacy of
the Irish Sports Council.