Cycling Round Up

TEAM IRELAND SETUP FINALISED

By Shane Stokes June 6

Cycling Ireland have confirmed that the details of the new Team Ireland set-up in Belgium has been finalised, with the first riders expected to travel early next month to the base in Tongeren, near Liege. Eugene Moriarty is to act as co-ordinator for the Irish Sports Council-funded project which will enable Irish competitors to live and race abroad, gaining form and experience for international competition.

‘The project will help riders to prepare for and take part in races on the continent’, says Ciarán McKenna of Cycling Ireland. ‘The base is near Liege and is pretty central, enabling riders to compete in a much bigger number of races than was possible with the French base last year.’

The emphasis is mainly on the developmental level (junior and under 23), although Elite riders will also be able to use the facilities which can cater for 14 riders at any one time. According to McKenna of Cycling Ireland, a pool of eligible riders has been drawn up (see below) but others who wish to be considered can contact the Federation’s High Performance Group at 01 8551522 and apply for inclusion.

‘We have a list of names but that isn’t definitive’, he says. ‘More riders may be added, while some of those names on the list might not be able to travel due to work or study commitments.’

McKenna states that mountain bike riders will also be supported by the Team Ireland initiative, with funding available for them to travel in advance to major competitions in order to train and familiarise themselves with the course. ‘They will be able to go to an event a week or two beforehand and ride the course – if the Belgian base will be of use to them, they will be able to go there but at this stage we think that it may be of more benefit for them to stay near the competition venue.’