Cycling Round Up |
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Archives: December 2001 IRISH GEAR UP FOR 2002: (By Shane Stokes Dec 28) With 2001 all but over, thoughts have turned towards preparations and plans for the new racing season. Ciaran Power, who last week signed a contract to ride with the American Navigators team, is due to travel to New Jersey around the tenth of February before taking part in their ten-day training camp in Arizona. Power's 2002 racing debut is likely to be in a series of events in California in early March, although the team are considering taking part in a small 3 stage race in Arizona during the time of their training camp. The Redlands and Sea Otter stage races at the end of March will hone fitness before the squad travel to contest some, as yet undetermined, European events. <Read More Here>
POWER SIGNS FOR AMERICAN TEAM: (By Shane Stokes Dec 20) Despite previous indications that Irish professional Ciaran Power was to remain with his St. Quentin squad for next season, the Waterford cyclist has signed a contract with the Navigators team, based in the US. Read the full story in the Irish Times >> McCann signs for new Polish team: (By Shane Stokes Dec 14) Irish road-racing champion David McCann has signed a contract with the new Polish team Ceresit-Henkel, allaying fears that he might have been left without a professional deal for 2002. Read the full story in the Irish Times >> ICF Name Trouble: (By Shane Stokes Nov 30) The Irish Cycling Federation has called an E.G.M. for mid January after last Saturday's congress in Portumna was suspended midway through proceedings. Read the full story in the Irish Times >>
Strong over both the cycling and running sections of the technical course in Lurgan Park, the Wicklow Off-Road Club rider eked out a lead of 35 seconds by the start of the final lap but then accelerated yet further to win by 59 seconds. Travers took silver for the second year in succession, with road specialist Tommy Evans impressing in beating Robert Lamont for bronze. The promoting club Apollo Cycle Team placed three riders in the top ten to take the team award, with Tarja Owens once again first woman. However due to a lack of entries in the women’s race, the multiple mountainbike champion was not awarded a national title, echoing last year’s disappointment. The supporting handicap race for
mountainbikes and under-age riders was won by Paul
Anderson, with his XMTB clubmates Glen Kinning and
Graham Boyd completing the top three. <See
Pictures Here> Seymour set to continue winning sequence: (By Shane Stokes Dec 7) One of the most remarkable winning sequences in Irish sport comes under the spotlight again this weekend when Robin Seymour seeks to take his 11th successive national title in the cyclo-cross event. Read the full story in the Irish Times >> Archives: November 2001 ICF Name Trouble: (By Shane Stokes Nov 30) The Irish Cycling Federation has called an E.G.M. for mid January after last Saturday's congress in Portumna was suspended midway through proceedings. Read the full story in the Irish Times >> Insurance costs high on ICF agenda: (By Shane Stokes Nov 23) A doubling of insurance costs for next year, due in part to the after-effects of the events of September 11th, is one of the topics to come under discussion at tomorrow's a.g.m. of the Irish Cycling Federation in Portumna. Read the Full Story in the Irish Times >>
Despite these continuing financial worries, the federation is in a healthier position than last year. PJ Nolan's tenure as president has been encouraging, with the board now working well under his leadership, while Eamon Duffy's appointment as Chief Executive has brought about much progress. Their input, the cohesion of the board and the strategy document unveiled earlier this year all point towards a brighter future for Irish cycling, providing this momentum is continued. Nolan is set to remain as president as his position was unchallenged in the recent nominations, with Jack Watson's and Peter Thornton's respective roles as secretary and treasurer also uncontested. The new, slimmed down board will be completed by three directors, with Ciaran McKenna, John News and Micheal Concannon the sole candidates for these positions. This trio worked together to develop the current strategy document, and according to McKenna, News and Concannon will be strong additions to the ICF should their ratification go ahead without a hitch next Saturday. Meanwhile the Ulster Cycling Federation is to hold an EGM on Monday following the decision of some of the board to resign due to disagreements over funding for the Commonwealth Games. Finally, national road race champion David McCann has indicated that he is unlikely to be offered a place with the Polish CCC Mat team in 2002, due to their planned expansion, and so he is searching for a new professional contract. Scale-down talk sparks fears for Campus Ireland: (Nov 2) Serious concern from what are termed the "second-line" sports is growing amid reports that the plans for Sports Campus Ireland in Abbotstown are being scaled down. <Read the full story in the Irish Times Here> Irish quintet under pressure to win UCI points: (Nov 2) Following their campaign in the Australian Herald Sun Tour event, the Irish quintet of David McCann, Mark Scanlon, Tommy Evans, Aidan Duff and Paul Griffin are gearing up for the final event on their 2001 schedule. <Read the Full story in the Irish Times Here> Scale-down talk sparks fears for Campus Ireland: (Nov 2) Serious concern from what are termed the "second-line" sports is growing amid reports that the plans for Sports Campus Ireland in Abbotstown are being scaled down. <Read the full story in the Irish Times Here> Archives: October 2001
McCann was 22nd on the stage, crossing the line amongst the main body of riders which were ten seconds behind stage winner Dave Cook of the USA. Aidan Duff also finished in this 28 man group, with Paul Griffin, Tommy Evans and Mark Scanlon coming home shortly afterwards. Evans was 11th in the points classification, which the Ireland - Latrobe city squad were 9th in the teams competition and third in the Don Porter Regional challenge. Geelong criterium: 1 Dave McCook (USA), 44 kilometres in 1 hour 7 mins 7 secs; 2, E. Wacker (Kyr); 3, S. Sullivan (Aus) both same time Irish: 22, D. McCann, at 10 secs; 26, A. Duff, same time; 48, P. Griffin, at 2 mins 41 secs; 50, T. Evans, at 3 mins 21 secs; 58, M. Scanlon, same time. Final general classification: 1, Peter Wrolich (Aut) 32 hours 59 mins 26 secs; 2, Z. Piatek (Pol) at 1 mins 11 secs; 3, R. Lupeikis (Ltu) at 4 mins 31 secs; 4, K. Stafiej (Pol) at 4 mins 51 secs; 5, A. Humbert (Aus) at 7 mins 5 secs; 6, E. Wohlberg (Can) at 7 mins 17 secs Irish: 18, D. McCann, at 27 mins 34 secs; 32, Evans, at 56 mins 57 secs; 43, Scanlon, at 1 hour 15 mins 10 secs; 45, Griffin, at 1 hour 15 mins 56 secs; 46, Duff, at 1 hour 18 mins 51 secs. Emu Sprint Championship: 1, Nathan Clarke (Aus), 78 points; 2, R. Crowe (Aus), 49 points; 3, Alessandro Pozzi (Ita), 49 points. Other: 11, Evans, 22 points
David McCann also came home in the same time, crossing the line in 30th position and moving up two places to 18th overall. EVANS
7th on 13th STAGE OF HERALD SUN TOUR:
(By Shane Stokes Oct 26) Tommy Evans today recorded yet
another strong performance in the Herald Sun Tour pro-am
stage race in Australia, placing 7th on the 13th leg of
the world-ranked race. At the end of the 36 kilometre
criterium in Hamilton Evans finished 30 seconds behind
stage winner Brett Lancaster of Australia, with the rest
of the Ireland-Latrobe City quintet safely home in the
main bunch 9 seconds later. McCANN BEST OF IRISH IN HERALD SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes Oct 25) David McCann was best placed of the Irish team on today's 11th stage of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia. The Belfast rider was 35th on the 120 kilometre race starting and finishing in Ballarat, ending the stage 8 minutes and 27 seconds behind winner Henk Vogels of Australia. McCann remains best placed of the quintet in the general classification, 24 minutes and 59 seconds behind overall leader Peter Wrolich of Austria, but drops one place to 20th overall. Meanwhile Ciaran Power, who was an excellent 9th overall in last year's contest, is closer to securing a renewal of his contract with the St. Quentin-Oktos team for next season. According to his agent Frank Quinn, the French outfit have indicated that they are likely to retain the 25 year old, but Quinn stresses that nothing has yet been signed. 'The indications are good, but we will just have to wait and see', he said. Hopes that mountain biking may undergo some much needed growth were boosted last weekend with the election of the first-ever MTB commission, which will work alongside the ICF board. Peter Popham takes responsibility for downhill racing, Geoff Seymour is the chairman of the cross-country section while Joe McCall and Richie Byrne will oversee facilities and leisure respectively. Media co-ordination is to be the focus of David Gill, Vincent Bradley is responsible for the underage contingent and technical/sporting affairs will be dealt with by Muriel Franzoni. Popham and Seymour have called for applications from those who wish to host MTB races next year. Today marks the cut-off point for nominations for board positions at the ICF AGM in 4 weeks time. All forms must be returned to the ICF offices by close of business this evening. Finally, there has been a good response to this weekend's coaching seminar in the NCTC in the University of Limerick. All available places have been filled for the talks, which will be presented by Achim Schmidt of the University of Cologne. Fixtures:
McCANN 8th ON 10th STAGE, EVANS SLIPS BACK: (By Shane Stokes Oct 24) Day 7 of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia has brought both good and bad fortune for the Irish team. On the second of today's two stages, national road race champion David McCann placed a fine 8th, 42 seconds behind stage winner Zbigniew Piatek of Poland. However the news wasn't so good for Tommy Evans, who has held a top ten position for most of last week. Evans had dropped to 13th after the 9th stage early today, when a breakaway group stole some time on the main field, but more serious was the effects of the 10th leg of the race. Here another group of riders got clear and by the finish, the main bunch had conceded over 23 minutes, dropping Evans down to 27th overall. McCann is now the best placed of the Irish team, 24 minutes and 59 seconds behind overall leader Peter Wrolich of Austria. Stage 9 -
October 24: Kangaroo Flat - Maryborough: 1 Kurt-Asle
Arvesen (Nor) 77 kilometres in 1 hour 48 mins 47 secs;
2, K. Stafiej (Pol) at 7 secs; 3, A. Pozzi (Ita) at 10
secs. Irish: 20, P. Griffin, at 4 mins 43
secs; 39, T. Evans; 51, A. Duff; 54, D. McCann; 69, M.
Scanlon, at 5 mins 54 secs. EVANS REMAINS IN 10th POSITION OVERALL AFTER NEUTRALISED STAGE: (By Shane Stokes Oct 23) With the Herald Sun Tour passing its midway point, Irish amateur Tommy Evans remains in tenth place overall after today's eventful 8th leg, a criterium on the streets of Bendigo. However, in a departure from the norm, most of the drama took place before the stage when many of the riders threatened to boycott the race due to treacherous conditions caused by driving rain. After heated discussions between the race organisers and the field, it was eventually decided that the stage would go ahead but that the result would not count towards the overall classification. The 73 riders duly started the race, but only 15 made it to the chequered flag as many pulled out due to the dangerous conditions. The nullified stage still offered prize money for the first ten across the line, and home riders filled the top five places with top honours going to Commonwealth road race champion rider Jay Sweet. Stage
8 - October 23: Bendigo Criterium, 28 km; 1, Jay Sweet
(Aus); 2, R. Van Hout (Aus); 3, B. McGee (Aus); 4, M.
Renshaw (Aus); 5, R. McEwen (Aus); 6, O. Pollack (Ger) Irish:
all same time McCANN 6th ON STAGE 7 OF HERALD SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes Oct 22) Irish professional cyclist David McCann today recorded his best ride yet in this year's Herald Sun Tour in Australia when he placed 6th on the stage from Yarrawonga to Echuca. The Belfast rider broke clear with several others during the 180 kilometre 7th leg of the race and finished 6th in the dash for the line, coming home in the same time as stage winner Henk Vogels of Australia. Tommy Evans was second in the bunch sprint 37 seconds later, taking 9th on the stage, while Paul Griffin was 13th. Mark Scanlon and Aidan Duff finished in the same time. Evans remains 10 minutes and 20 seconds behind overall leader Peter Wrolich, but drops one place to 10th in this pro-am race.
Results Stage 7 - October 22: Yarrawonga -
Echuca: 1 Henk Vogels (Aus) 180 kilometres in 4 hours 12
mins 45 secs (42.80 km/h); 2, D. McCook (USA); 3, B.
Heirewegh (Bel) both same time Irish: 6, D.
McCann, same time; 9, T. Evans, at 37 secs; 13, P.
Griffin; 54, M. Scanlon; 57, A. Duff, all same time EVANS DROPS TO NINTH OVERALL: (By Shane Stokes Oct 21) The leading Irish rider Tommy Evans today finished 24th on the toughest stage of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia, a grueling 181 kilometre race featuring 10 climbs. Evans, who started the stage in 6th place overall, slipped back to 9th after he finished the day 9 minutes and 52 seconds behind home winner Scott Sunderland. Evans is now 10 minutes and 20 seconds off the overall race lead of Peter Wrolich of Australia. Best placed of the Irish riders on this sixth stage was national road-race champion David McCann, who finished 3 minutes and 37 seconds behind Sunderland in 18th place. The Irish team are now fourth in the teams classification, while they are second in the standings in the Don Porter regional challenge. EVANS UP TO 6th IN HERALD SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes Oct 20) Irish amateur rider Tommy Evans performed with distinction on the second of today's stages in the pro-am Herald Sun Tour in Australia, moving up one place to a fine 6th overall. Evans was part of a 15 rider group which broke away midway through the undulating 131 kilometre 5th stage, and while some of these faded towards the end, he finished a fine 9th on the stage, 33 seconds behind three leaders. The stage was won by Lithuanian rider Saulius Ruskys ahead of Australian Matt Wilson. Crucially, today's performance means that Evans has now moved up to an impressive 6th overall and is 3 minutes and 13 seconds behind Lituanian race leader Remigius Lupeikis. He is also 4th in the sprints competition. Meanwhile, all the other Irish riders finished safely in the bunch and the five man squad remains third overall in the teams classification. SCANLON 14th on 4th Stage of SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes Oct 20) The strong Irish showing in the Australian pro-am Herald Sun Tour continued early today when the squad placed three riders in the top twenty of stage 4 and held onto their third place in the teams classification. Mark Scanlon was best placed of the quintet, 14th on the stage, with David McCann 17th and Tommy Evans 20th. Paul Griffin and Aidan Duff also finished safely in the main bunch, which crossed the line 1 second behind stage winner Robbie McEwen. Stage 4 - October 20: Maffra Criterium: 1, Robbie McEwen (Aus) 36 km in 47 mins 19 secs (45.65 km/h); 2, O. Pollack (Ger); 3, S. Ruskys (Ltu) both same time. Irish: 14, M. Scanlon at 1 sec; 17, D. McCann; 20, T. Evans; 50, P. Griffin; 53, A. Duff General classification after stage 4: 1, Remigius Lupeikis (Ltu) 5 hours 34 mins 44 secs; 2, P. Wrolich (Aut) at 4 secs; 3, P. Dawson (Aus) at 10 secs. Irish: 7, Evans, at 6 mins 14 secs; 21, Scanlon, at 11 mins 1 sec; 31 Duff, at 15 mins; 51, Griffin, at 23 mins 59 secs; 52, McCann, same time. Team Classification: 1 Echuca-Moama 17 hours 32 secs; 2, Custom Fleet at 5 mins 46 secs; 3, Latrobe City (Ireland) at 6 mins 4 secs EVANS 4th ON STAGE 3 OF SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes Oct 19) Irish rider Tommy Evans today finished an excellent 4th on the third stage of the pro-am Herald Sun Tour in Australia. Evans was part of a breakaway group which went clear during the tough 130 kilometre stage and by the finish had eked out a massive lead over most of the other riders in the field. The stage was won by former Tour de France stage winner Robbie McEwen, with Evans 4 seconds behind. Mark Scanlon was next best of the Irish, 13th on the stage, but over 10 minutes in arrears. Aidan Duff finished 15th, while both David McCann and Paul Griffin crossed the line in the main pack of riders which lost over 23 minutes. Evans is, understandably, now best placed of the Irish overall. He is 7th behind Lithuania rider Remigius Lupeikis, 6 minutes and 12 seconds back, with Scanlon in 19th place. SCANLON 16th ON STAGE 2 OF SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes Oct 19) Irish rider Mark Scanlon was best of the 5-man Latrobe City-Ireland team at the end of stage 2 of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia earlier today. The Sligoman placed 16th on the stage, finishing in a small group which crossed the line 22 seconds behind stage winner John Lieswyn of the USA. David McCann and Paul Griffin finished in the main pack 2 seconds behind Scanlon. Scanlon is also best placed of the team overall, lying 24th, 54 seconds behind Lieswyn.
Stage 2: 1, John Lieswyn (USA) 36 kilometres in 58 mins
26 secs; 2, R. Haselbacher (Austria); 3, P. Chmielewski
(Poland) both same time. Irish: 16, M. Scanlon at 22 secs; 37, D. McCann, at 24
secs; 54 P. Griffin same time; 69, A. Duff, at 4 mins 21
secs; 73, T. Evans, at 6 mins 18 secs IRISH GET SUN TOUR CAMPAIGN UNDER WAY: (By Shane Stokes Oct 18) The Lantrobe City - Ireland team got off to a steady start on today's opening stage of the Herald Sun Tour in Melbourne, with all five riders finishing safely in the main bunch. The opening 32 kilometre criterium was won by 2000 Giro d'Italia stage winner David McKenzie of Australia, with David McCann, Aidan Duff, Tommy Evans, Mark Scanlon and Paul Griffin all part of the main pack which crossed the line nine seconds later. The Sun Tour continues tomorrow with two stages, a 30 lap criterium in Gembrook and a 130 kilometre road stage to Morwell. It represents one of the last chances for Irish riders to boost their world ranking points before the end of the season.
The biggest of the two contests which have been granted world-ranking status by cycling's governing body, the UCI, is a new cross-border North/South Tour of Ireland. The 5 day race has been awarded an impressive 2.3 ranking, a major coup for race organizers Pat McQuaid and Alan Rushdon of L'Evenement. Most first time events are allocated lesser world-ranking points but this race is rated on the same level as well-regarded contests such as the Tours of Germany, Sweden and Portugal, and so will appeal to teams and riders looking to improve their value. Further increasing the likelihood that the world's biggest professional squads will be in attendance is the new ruling that the cycling's first division, which will be increased to 30 teams next season, will only be permitted to ride races of 2.3 ranking or greater. According to McQuaid, the only other races to run during the North/South tour timeslot of August 27-31 will be a three-day in France and three single-day events in Italy, making the Irish event an attractive prospect for pro squads. 'There is a very good chance that the teams will avail of the opportunity to ride this five day in Ireland', he stated. 'I got very good feedback during the world championships and think that many squads will travel over, partially due to the ranking points and also because of our work with the Tour of Langkawi.' McQuaid is race organizer for the latter event and has seen it grown into one of the world's most respected new stage races. McQuaid and Rushdon are still to finalise funding for the North/South Tour, but are confident it will go ahead in 2002. 'We were offered governmental backing for the race this year but decided to wait until next season', says McQuaid. 'That offer of funding should be available again for next year, and we should also be able to find commercial sponsorship, particularly as a number of broadcasters such as Eurosport have shown an interest. Part of the race's appeal is this cross-border element, the idea for which came about due to the greater political co-operation of the last couple of years.' Also confirmed is world ranking status for one of Ireland's most highly regarded single-day events, the Shay Elliot memorial race. Commemorating the feats of the late rider, who was the first Irishman to wear yellow in the Tours of France and Spain, the race covers some of Wicklow's toughest roads and is one of the hardest tests in Irish cycling. Its new ranking of 1.5 brings it on par with British events such as the Manx International and the Archer Grand Prix, making it all but certain that riders from the UK and elsewhere will travel across for the April 28th fixture. And, with the FBD Milk Rás already rated as a 2.5 event, Ireland will now have three races on the 2002 UCI international calendar. <Read the full story in the Irish Times Here>
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR SCANLON(By Shane Stokes Oct 9) 1998 junior champion Mark Scanlon today performed below his pre-race expectations on the opening day of the 2001 championships, placing 23rd in the men's under 23 time trial. The Sligoman failed to settle into a good rhythm on what is seen as the toughest course in years, losing time to the front runners from the early stages of the 33.7 kilometre test. <Read More Here> World Championships campaign begins tomorrow (Tuesday)(By Shane Stokes Oct 8) Former junior title holder Mark Scanlon gets his 2001 world championships campaign underway tomorrow when he lines out in the 34 kilometre Espoir (under 23) time trial in Lisbon, Portugal. Bolstered by his 7th place on Sunday in the under 23 Paris Tours classic and a strong showing in the recent European championship time trial, the 20 year old has had the best build-up since his historic 1998 win. Scanlon and fellow Espoir rider Denis Lynch line out in the 33.7 kilometre time trial at 12.30 tomorrow morning, and will join with Dermot Nally and Gary McQuaid in the under 23 road race on Friday. Wednesday sees Tim Cassidy and Philip Deignan tackle the junior time trial, with Nicolas Roche and Paudi O'Brien completing the Grant Thornton Team Ireland line up for Saturday's road race. In the Elite ranks, CCC Mat professional David McCann contests the men's time trial on Thursday while Susan O'Mara's ride in the women's road race takes place on Saturday.
On paper at least, Scanlon has the best prospects of the ten rider Grant Thornton Team Ireland squad. However much will depend on how he handles the tough hills on the circuit; the gifted young rider's only real limitation relates to his climbing, but he is both lighter and fitter than earlier this season and may well leave his mark this week. ScheduleTIME TRIALS ROAD RACES
VAN DER HELM WINS THIRD STAGE & OVERALL: (By Shane Stokes Oct 7) Overnight leader Esther van der Helm today underlined her dominance of this year's TQ Paper ladies 2 day event when she won the final stage, a hilly 72 kilometre race over roads around Stamullen and the Naul. Van der Helm and her Netherlands team mates successfully fended off repeated attacks by closest challenger Susan O'Mara (Letchworth Extran), whose determined efforts on the day's climbs earned her the consolation of victory in the Queen of the Mountains title.
Second on the stage went to Vanessa Frith (Cottingham Coureurs), with van der Helm's faithful team-mate Judith Helmink placing third. O'Mara was next home of the group, disappointed to lose out in the sprint but content that she did everything possible to try to repeat her 1997 victory in the race. 'It is great to win', said a smiling, mud-splattered van der Helm. 'Susan (O'Mara) gave me a really hard time on the hills today but I kept dragging her back. I was worried beforehand as I had heard she is a good climber. I normally don't mind a bit of climbing but there are no real hills in Holland and today's were pretty steep.' 'My team were of great help, especially Judith (Helmink). She is the perfect team-mate, she was really helpful and dragged everything back. In the end it worked out well, but Susan rode a very good race.' O'Mara was similarly complementary. 'The yellow jersey was just too strong today', she said. 'I felt good and attacked over all the climbs but she was probably the next strongest and was able to get up to me each time. We got a gap on the other riders on a few occasions, but she didn't work with me and it closed up again.' Still, O'Mara will be content with second overall, the Queen of the Mountains prize, and the knowledge that she is going to next week's world championships in good form. She also has the boost of seeing the TQ Paper 2 day - which she helps organize - thrive this year after foot-and-mouth concerns saw it moved from its April timeslot. 'We might keep it at this time of the year from now on,' she admits, 'as it worked out very well. It was a good race, everyone seems to have enjoyed it and there was a big increase in the number of Irish girls racing.' Enthusiasm which was echoed by national ladies squad manager Pauline McKay. 'I was very happy with the Irish girls, there was a lot of new faces in the race and they all did encouragingly well. I am also very happy with the Leinster team - Gillian McDarby was 4th in the time trial and 5th overall, and a number of other girls did better than expected. It is a good sign for women's cycling in Ireland.' TQ
Paper Stage 3: 1, Ester van der Helm (Netherlands)
72 kilometres in 2 hours 9 mins 29 secs 2, Vanessa Frith
(Cottingham Coureurs) 3, Judith Helmink (Netherlands) 4,
Susan O'Mara (Team Letchworth Extran) 5, Leda Ray (West
Thames) 6, Ramona Henrichs (Germany Radsport) all same
time. VAN DER HELM WINS STAGE 1 OF TQ PAPER 2 DAY: (By Shane Stokes Oct 6) Dutch rider Esther van der Helm was fastest in the bunch sprint which decided the winner of the opening stage of the TQ Paper ladies 2 day race at the rear of Dublin Airport this morning. Van der Helm led home team-mate Judith Helmink, with UCF rider Mary Boyd best of the Irish in third. In all 22 riders finished in this front group, with the remainder of the 41-strong field scattered minutes back due to the fast pace and strong winds which buffeted the course. The sole break of any significance occurred on the sixth of eight laps, when Vanessa Frith (Cottingham Coureurs RT) and Helmink raced clear. The duo established a lead of 7 seconds, which doubled once Cycleways' Angela Dolan bridged the gap and contributed to the pace-setting. However this trio was recaptured one lap later, paving the way for the bunch sprint and the Dutch one-two on the stage. O'MARA WINS STAGE 2: Irish rider Susan O'Mara displayed good form in advance of next week's world championships when she won the second stage of the TQ Paper ladies 2 day race this afternoon. O'Mara recorded a time of 3 minutes 20 seconds to beat Dutch rider Esther van der Helm by 3 seconds in the 2 km time trial, and would undoubtedly have enjoyed a greater margin of victory had she not been delayed by a car obstructing her on the course. Indeed this delay probably cost her the yellow jersey. Van der Helm had profited from a five seconds bonus for winning the opening stage this morning and was quick enough to retain two seconds of that overall lead. 'It is pity not to take yellow, but that might prove to my advantage tomorrow,' said O'Mara, who won the race in 1997. She also won the time trial on that occasion, and will no doubt hope that history will repeat itself vis-à-vis the final overall result. The TQ Paper international race concludes tomorrow with a hilly 78 kilometre stage based around Stamullen and the Naul. TQ
Paper stage 1: Esther van der Helm (Netherlands) 70
kms in 1 hour 48 mins 39 secs; 2, J. Helmink
(Netherlands); 3, M. Boyd (UCF); 4, R. Henrichs (Germany
Charlottenburg); 5, J. Hill (Cycleways); 6, C. Owens
(Surrey League A) all same time GRANT THORNTON IRISH TEAM ANNOUNCED: (By Shane Stokes Oct 2) The Grant Thornton-Team Ireland squad for next week's world cycling championships in Lisbon was announced today at a slickly-organised Irish Cycling Federation press reception at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. A determined group of ten riders were presented, with Tour of Hokkaido winner David McCann (Elite time trial) and 1998 Junior world champion Mark Scanlon (Under 23 time trial and road race) the most experienced of these. 'This is the first time since 1998 that I am going to the world championships in really good condition', said Scanlon, his morale boosted by a recent win in France. 'I am riding very strongly at the moment and with the tough course, it might well come down to a sprint from a small group. If I am there at the end, that would suit me very well.' Scanlon and Denis Lynch line out in the under 23 time trial next Tuesday and will be joined by Dermot Nally and Gary McQuaid in the under 23 road race three days later. McCann's Elite time trial takes place next Thursday, Tim Cassidy, Paudi O'Brien, Philip Duignan and Nicolas Roche compete in Friday week's junior road race, while Susan O'Mara lines out in the Elite women's race on Saturday 13th. 'It is a pleasure to be backing this strong squad', said Garoid Costello of Grant Thornton Ireland, 'They are all very motivated and I believe that they will do very well in Portugal.' Irish Cycling Federation president PJ Nolan was quick to acknowledge the importance of the sponsor's backing, saying that it would enable the riders to have the best preparation in the run-up to the race and to ride well in their respective competitions. Nolan also vowed to continue the advancement of the ICF which, on today's evidence, is clearly a far more professional organisation than it was in the past. |
KELLY
WINS CHRISTMAS HAMPER RACE:
(By Shane Stokes Dec 16) Former top professional Sean
Kelly had a return to winning ways today when he took
the keenly disputed Christmas Hamper race based near
Carrick on Suir. <
SEYMOUR
STORMS TO 11th CONSECUTIVE TITLE: (By Shane Stokes Dec 9) As expected, Robin
Seymour further extended his remarkable unbeaten record
in the national cyclo-cross championships on Saturday
when he took his eleventh successive title. Seymour, who
has also taken 9 gold medals in mountainbike
competition, raced into the lead early in the 9 lap
race, with chief rival Don Travers (Banbridge CC)
initially staying within 6 seconds. However, this gap
started to open on the 4th lap and from there an
impressive Seymour drew steadily away.
Countdown
to ICF AGM: (By
Shane Stokes Nov 16) With the ICF agm now just one week
away, final preparations are being made for their
Bikefest weekend at the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna.
The federation report that there has been a good level
of interest in the three day programme of activities,
which begins next Friday. Congress takes place on
Saturday morning, starting at 10 am and here a number of
important issues will be discussed, including a proposed
change of name of the ICF to Cycling Ireland. The
continuing shortfall in finances is also likely to be a
main topic, with rising insurance costs one of the main
problems facing the ICF.
McCANN
FINISHES IN TOP TWENTY OVERALL OF HERALD SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes
Oct 28) David McCann today finished the Herald Sun Tour in a good 18th place
overall, holding onto his top-twenty position when he finished with the main
bunch in the concluding 44 kilometre criterium on the streets of Geelong.
GRIFFIN
8th ON STAGE 14 OF HERALD SUN TOUR: (By Shane Stokes Oct 27) Paul
Griffin was today best-placed of the Irish quintet in the Herald Sun Tour in
Australia, finishing as part of the main bunch of riders in 8th place, 43
seconds behind stage winner Piotr Chmielewski of Poland.
NEW
PRO TOUR FOR IRISH CYCLING: (By Shane Stokes Oct 16) Nine years after the demise of the
Nissan Classic, the world's top professional cyclists
look set to return to the roads of Ireland with the news
that two events have been awarded a place on the
international calendar for next year. 
CASSIDY
15th IN JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: (By
Shane Stokes Oct 13) Grant Thornton - Team Ireland rider
Tim Cassidy today finished an excellent 15th in the
junior men's road race at the world championships, thus
registering the best performance in the event since Mark
Scanlon's victory three years ago. Cassidy has been one
of the strongest young riders in the country this year,
recording 19 wins, and today showed that strength over a
very tough course. <
While O'Mara was unable to open up any
distance between herself and van der Helm, the time
bonuses at the finish did offer her one last chance to
overhaul her two second deficit. But van der Helm's
impressive finishing kick, which had netted her victory
on the opening leg of the race, proved enough once again
to ensure she crossed the line first, take the five
second bonus on offer, and the final yellow and green
jerseys.