NORTHERN ROUNDUP:

Change of time for the only open race in Ulster this coming weekend.

After a busy weekend of racing at Annaclone and Crumlin last weekend,this Sunday the 8th March will see racing in the Mourne Kingdom area in County Down,when the John Haldane Memorial cycle race will be the only featured cycle race in Ulster.

Hilltown, just about 6 miles outside Newry, will be a hive of activity on Sunday when up to a full competitor field of cyclists will be competing over the 12.5 mile rolling circuit taking in Hilltown, Kilcoo, Rathfriland.and back to Hilltown.

Fraser Duncan (Northern Dave Kane CC) was the 2008 winner, but for 2009,Duncan has switched teams and is hopeful of taking the honours for his new outfit Curran Racing Team based in Bangor, Co Down. There are 2 races promoted by the Newry Wheelers with the Elite race covering 5 laps giving a total distance of 62 miles. This race will be run on a short handicap basis due to Veterans and Juniors (with Points),but a final decision will be made at the weekend. Prizes will be for the first 6 over the line plus prizes for the 1st unplaced 2nd category rider and 1st Veteran.

The “B” race will be catering for Senior 3rd , Juniors, Veterans and ladies. These competitors will be covering just laps of the same circuit (38 Miles).As li e the Elite race,Veterans over 50 and ladies will be given a short head start of the Juniors and remaining Veterans. Prizes will be for the 1st six over the line.

Sign-on and changing rooms will be at the Hilltown GAA Club from 11am, with racing commencing at 1pm and not 12 noon as listed in the yearbook.

Colin “Rocky” Boyle from Strabane and a member of Omagh Wheelers,has join the Cycling Ulster Road Race Commission, along Keith Gallagher (Orchard Wheelers/Juiced), Micky Murray (Clan Eireann), Ryan Connor (Usher IRC), Drew McKinley (Newry Wheelers)along with Chairman, Stephen McKenna (East Antrim).

Stephen has a strong background in Road racing,having won the Newry 3-day before upgrading to 1st category status. He has raced for a number of years and has competed in a range of Ireland’s premier races including the Tour of the North, Tour of Ulster, Shay Elliot and FBD Ras. Stephen is also a Cycling Ireland Commissaire.

Mickey also has a good background in cycling,and in 2008 was in charge of the Cycling Ulster Junior Commission.Mickey is still an active cyclist and makes a frequent outing in the Cycling Ulster/Dave Kane TT league. Mickey is qualified as a Cycling Ireland Level 1 Coach, and is also a Cycling Ireland Commissaire.

Keith was one of Ulster’s top cyclists,and has competed at an international level on the continent. Keith is the brother of Stephen Gallagher (An Post-Sean Kelly), and son of Noel Gallagher who has worked as a Cycling Ireland Commissaire, and on the Cycling Ulster Road Commission previously.

Ryan is currently one of Ulster top cyclists riding for Usher IRC in 2009. Amongst Ryan’s extensive list of achievements, he has won the Tour of the North a fantastic three times, and in addition to representing Ireland and Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, he has also ridden for the Pezula and DFL professional teams.

Drew comes from a keen cycling family with father Noel and brother Mark regular figures on the Irish racing scene. Drew has a strong road racing background having competed in most races around Ireland including the FBD Ras and is involved in the organisation of the Newry 3-day each year. Drew is also a regular competitor in the Irish Cyclo-Cross scene.

Colin Boyle has been involved in cycle racing for many years in Ulster, and is currently a member of UCPC (Ulster Cycle Promotions Club). In this capacity,Colin took the lead on organising the Tour of Ulster in 2007 & 2008, and has a keen interest in the development of cycling in Ulster.

In 2009,the Road Commission got the year off to a start with a Junior Training Camp early February for Juniors in Ulster. A new initiative introduced as part of the Junior Training Camp, was the use of senior elite riders as Mentors for younger, less experienced riders. The initial trial proved a great success with elite riders in attendance such as Stephen Gallagher (An Post – Sean Kelly), Ryan Connor (Usher IRC), Peter Hawkins (Decoc Capino), and Matthew Ward (Usher IRC).

The Commission will be working towards a number of objectives such as the development of local riders in 2009, with a focus on Junior & U23 riders. The Commission also aims to improve communication across local bodies,and Cycling Ireland commissions in an effort to benefit Ulster riders. In conjunction with Cycling Ulster, the Road Commission will hopefully be able to develop the sport of cycling in Ulster.

The Cycling Ulster Road Commission will be responsible for the selection of teams to represent Ulster in Road Racing.


Foyle CC Information Evening:

North-West ’s Foyle Cycling Club,founded just over five years ago, has always keen to attract new members to its ranks, which number sixty on average. To further bolster its membership and to promote safe cycling, Foyle CC will hold an Information Night on Wed 11th March @ 8:00pm in Davincis Hotel, Derry.

Come along to our “Information Night ” and we’ll tell you everything you need to know but were afraid to ask! What to wear and when to wear it,more scientific stuff like Hydration, Nutrition,how to set up your bike,i.e. tyre pressures,reach,seat height etc and many more etc’s after that. So, what is there to riding a bike? Well, have you ridden a bike hard for 20-30 mins? I mean totally flat out, maximum effort? Or what about taking part in an all day event, covering, say, 200 kilometers!

Can you cycle hard up a hill? No, not the Culmore Road!How about Mamore Gap or Kinnego Bay?? Don’t worry,none of us could do any of this at the start. We all had to learn and no better place than with a club of like minded cycling enthusiasts. We have an annual night out, some prize giving,a “Mechanics Night”, “First Aid Night” and even weekly e-mail reports that may even mention your name if you’re lucky! So, why not come along to Davincis on Wed. 11th March to find out more about cycling with Foyle Cycling Club.

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Press Release issued by Pat Clarke, Q Cycling News (NI) 07788433683 (ROI) +44 7788433683