Maryland Wheelers and Phoenix Cycle Club promote the inaugural David McCall Criterium in the the City of Lisburn this Wednesday evening (13th May 2009). The event is promoted in memory of David McCall who died tragically last August 2008 in an Inter-club event.
David was a well known cyclist and ambassador for the sport of cycling in Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK. He also represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games over the years. For what David got out of the sport, he also give back to the sport by becoming an official at all levels from club to national level. David enjoyed the sport so much, he would attend coaching sessions at the request of clubs and give his knowledge and skills and help cyclists to develop their own skills and training techniques. David always wanted to see youngsters take up the sport of cycling and was always on hand to guide young cyclists along the highways and by-ways roads around Lisburn. He would also help youngsters to develop bike-handling skills.
The David McCall Criterium has backing from the City of Lisburn council, John M Hanna, wheelnmotions, Kinning Cycles, Paul Slane Cycles, David Kane Cycles, S Downey Cycles (Dromore), Coca Cola and Red Bull. Both Maryland Wheelers and the Phoenix Cycle Club wish to thank the support of the council, local cycle businesses, police and also the Road Service and only for the close co-operation of all involved, this evening could not have taken place.
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The full programme of events will start at 6.30 pm with and depending on response a “Have a Go” cycle event which will see local school kids fancy their racing chances on the streets of Lisburn.
Open racing will commence at 7pm for licenced Underage cyclists and these races are sponsored by Kinning Cycles. At 7.40pm, will see the Inter-Club race which is sponsored by Slane Cycles. The winner of this event will receive the David McCall Inter-club Shield.
Next event on the programme is the “B” race sponsored by wheelnmotions. The “B” race will be catering for Senior 3, Juniors, Ladies and Veterans. The highlight event of the evening is the “A” race sponsored by Dave Kane Cycles and the winner will receive the David McCall Memorial Cup.
A large crowd is expected to be in attendance to watch the event and the two promoting clubs are ensuring that the evening of activities will be an evening for families, businesses and the community.
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Tommy Givan this Saturday.
The Pre-entry Tommy Givan Memorial will be promoted this coming Saturday by Maryland Wheelers and the event will be starting at 12 noon sharp. Sign-on will be open from 10.30 am.
Racing will be on the Lower Circuit as advise by a Club official. The club are promoting two races so all category of riders will be catered.
Information as provided on the Maryland Wheelers website is the distance 100kms. Maryland Wheelers will be running two separate races, one for S1 and S2 and one for S3, juniors vets and ladies. Entry for each race is limited to 60 riders. Riders who have returned their entry form should assume that their entry has been accepted unless they are notified by e.mail that their entry has been placed on the reserve list. The event Headquarters are in the Hillsborough Village Centre, Downshire Primary school, Hillsborough with changing facilities, and car-parking. Refreshments will be provided after the event.
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Champion of Champions in Newtownards
A popular event over the years in Northern Ireland is the Ards Cycle Club promotion of the Champion of Champions time trial event, which will be held on Sunday 17th May on the Portaferry Road, Newtownards commencing at 10 am. The first event was held in 1990 and has been held every year except 1992.
The event has a great history with notable winners like Graeme Obree, a three time winner (1990, 94 &95). Other three times winners include Paul Kane (Northern CC/Dave Kane) who won it in 1997, 2001 & 2002) and Jim McConnell (East Antrim Audi CC) in 2000, 2004 & 2008). Chris Boardman was also a winner and won it twice back in 1991 and 1993. Joining Boardman as a twice winner is Tommy Evans, once in 1996 as a Banbridge CC man and in 2005 with Plant X. Evans was the first Northern Ireland cyclist to win the event after the absence of Obree and Boardman.
Other known time trialists who won it at least once was Paul Healion (Usher Irish RC) in 2003 and Ryan Connor in 2006 with Ballymena RC.
The 25 mile TT will be starting on the Portaferry Road (A20) beside the Old Shore Road. The course is entirely on the coastal route on the Strangford Lough side of the Ards Peninsula. It passes straight through Greyabbey and Kircubbin and turns at the Salt Water Brig Bar and Restaurant which is the 12.5 mile turn and returns on the same course.
Bronagh Kirk and other members of the Ards Cycle Club have issued posters in promoting their event to attract competitors due to the lack of sponsorship. Bronagh Kirk told Q Cycling News “Sponsorship for the event would allow the club to invite top class competitors from England, Scotland and even Wales. It would be great to have top name cyclists like the names of Obree and Boardman, that we use to have over here in the past. Hopeful we can get sponsorship for 2010 as it will 20 years since when the first Champion of Champions TT event was held”
Ards Cycle Club are delighted that the event is been held on a Sunday and is hopeful of a large turn-out of competitors for the event.
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Cycling Ulster issue notice for UK School Games
In September this year, Cycling Ulster intend to a seven member team to the UK School Games which will be held in the Welsh city of Cardiff. Cycling is included for the first time and all activities will take place at Newport Velodrome. The Cycling Ulster team will consist of 4 boys and 3 girls and to get selected, Cycling Ulster have set a criteria.
Included in the recent Press Release by Cycling Ulster the criteria stated that : - Riders must be
A member of Cycling Ulster and hold a full competition licence.
Born in 1993 or later.
Able to travel to Cardiff on Thursday 3rd September 2009 (returning Sunday 6th)
Accredited to ride at Orangefield/Sun Drive track
Able to attend selection & training sessions in Belfast on a regular basis.
Sufficiently experienced in fixed wheel, track and preferably Velodrome riding.
Selection will be made on ability, commitment and timed training sessions.
Final selection will be made by Sunday 21st June 2009.
The Events being targeted are as follows : -
Event disciplines (both sexes) – Sprint, Scratch Race, Points Race, Kierin, Pursuit, Time Trial,
Madison, Team Sprint and Team Pursuit
Those who want further details should contact Anthony Mitchell by phone on 07843 561084 or by e-mail on Sportsprint.Mitch@btinternet.com
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Press Release issued by Pat Clarke, Q Cycling News (NI) 07788433683 (ROI) +44 7788433683