Author Archive for: Jefrey Ong
There out of the blocks in Australia….Betting Man has some interesting predictions on the international stage for the year ahead……Phil Leigh goes to great lengths to put my fears on the back burner……track racing in Beijing…….Paddys Day Parade for Bray Wheelers……142 two days for the Wicklow 200…..its all here and more in your Thursday round up.
Well, as far as road racers are concerned, the break is over. The 2010 season has kicked off, with the year’s first ProTour event now underway in Australia. André Greipel, winner of the 2008 Tour Down Under is showing the way after three stages. Today the temperature gage showed 40 degrees. The race continues until Sunday. Of course as far as Adelaide is concerned, their story is that the tourist industry is booming. Thanks to one man in particular! Lance Armstrong who’ll be back in Ireland in August where fans will show up in numbers to watch him compete and generate millions of euros for the beleagured tourist industry.
Last Thursday we introduced some very interesting predictions for the year ahead courtesy of well known personalities in the cycling world. This week we had had a most interesting submission which I welcome.
The year is going to be mainly marked by an ever-growing spat between Lance Armstrong/Team RadioShack and Alberto Contador/Team Astana. The psychological war will build up continuously as the Tour approaches. If Astana is blocked from riding the race for any reason, Contador will switch teams; Caisse d’Epargne is the most likely destination, particularly as Alejandro Valverde is likely to find himself with a two year ban relating to Operación Puerto.
Prior to the Tour, Armstrong will put in better performances than in 2009. He’ll look to take a victory or two in order to prove he’s on form, most likely going for a stage in the Tour of California. Levi Leipheimer will focus fully on hitting top form for the event and may well take his fourth consecutive title. However expect to see the Garmin team put in a strong challenge, perhaps with Dave Zabriskie if he does not ride the Giro.
Over at the Italian tour, Riccardo Ricco will build towards the race thinking of the pink jersey. However there is actually a chance that he will miss the race; the samples from the 2008 Giro are due to be tested for CERA and if this is done before the start of the Italian Tour, expect the Italian to be snagged once again. Ditto for another one or two big names.
Franco Pellizotti and Ivan Basso (Liquigas) will be in the thick of the action, with Basso expected to be stronger than in 2009. They were third and fifth respectively, and both are likely to move up a place after the positive test of Danilo di Luca. The Italian duo will be arguably the biggest favourites at the race start in May.
Earlier on in the year, the move of the finish of Milan San Remo closer to the descent off the Poggio will foil the sprinters and enable someone who goes clear on the climb to triumph. Philippe Gilbert will continue improving and will win either the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix, while one of the Schleck brothers will take Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Armstrong will ride well during the Tour but providing Contador is there, the Spaniard will triumph once again. Armstrong may take second place, but will be pushed hard all the way by Andy Schleck. Should Contador’s win be a decisive one, Armstrong may elect not to ride the race in 2012, realising that he can’t beat the Spaniard. Expect plenty of spin in that case, and further attacks on Contador from his former team-mates.
Mark Cavendish will once again excel in the sprints but may not be as dominant as he was in 2009. Bradley Wiggins will perform well in the Tour but will feel the weight of a nation’s expectation – and that of his new team - and may have one bad day in the high mountains.
Irish riders Nicolas Roche, Philip Deignan and Daniel Martin will continue to progress. Roche will climb more strongly than before due to recent weight loss and could finish in the top 15 in the Tour. Deignan is likely to make his debut in the race, as is Martin. The Letterkenny rider will be obliged to ride for Cervélo Test Team leader Carlos Sastre, thus hampering his GC chances, but he’ll impress in the mountains, be in contention for a stage win, and prove he deserves team leadership for the Vuelta.
Martin will probably need another Grand Tour or two in his legs to have the consistency for three weeks, but he will impress greatly on at least one mountain stage and chase a victory. It will be Ireland’s strongest chance in many, many years to take a Tour stage win.
The Vuelta will go to a Spanish rider, possibly Samuel Sanchez. There will be a very large number of sprinters in the race, with almost all of the big guns travelling there to prepare for the world championships. The sprinters will fight tooth and nail in order to score psychological points over each other but, at the worlds, expect to see Fabian Cancellara try burst clear on the final lap and win. (courtesy of the Betting Man).
relation to the 2010 season for youth road racing,
The key events this year will be The Corkman three day which is run by Kanturk CC on the May bank holiday weekend. The next big event will be the Mayo youth tour over the August bank holiday followed on by the National championships which are been held in Lurgan this year on the third weekend in August. We also have for the first time a number of park races which will be held in Waterstown park in Palmerstown over a two and a half Km circuit. These will be run on a number of Sunday’s and Tuesday’s which are all listed in the 2010 Calendar..
Some of the key riders to look out for are Robert Anderson, Orchard C.C. and Ryan Mullin, Navan R.C. who represented Ireland last year in the youth Olympics and remain at under 16 level again for 2010. I n the under 14 section the man to beat will be Darragh Long, Orwell C.C. and in the under 12 section Angelo O’Conner, Laois C.C. will be very strong after showing some very strong performances last year. (The Linesman)
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In a week that we got the green light about the rescheduling of the national cyclo cross championships, which will now take place on the 7th of february at St. Anne’s Park Raheny. Hopefully the weather will have improved dramatically, but the long range weather forecast is for a fresh burst of snow.
ireland has been hit by some of the heaviest snowfalls for decades during a bout odf Artcic weather two weeks ago causing all sorts of problems for the population.
The snow is being caused by cold air from the continent meeting a frontal system coming in from the atlantic.
But will not cause concern for track team who are currently in China for the World Track Cycling Championships in the Velodrome.
The third round of the Track Cycling World Cup takes place in Beijing, China this weekend over three days. The Irish Team has recently to plan for changes in their program for the year to accommodate the recent announced changes in the Track Olympic Programme for London in 2012. These changes sees the addition of several new Women’s events plus the removal of some of established men’s events including the individual pursuit which David O’Loughlin excelled at. The team for the Beijing includes Aaron Buggle, Matt Brammeier, Stephen Barrett, Marcus Christie, Martyn Irvine and Sean Downey. Individual Pursuit – Friday, Christie; Points Race – Friday, Downey, Buggle, Barrett; Team Pursuit – Saturday 4 from, Buggle, Brammeier, Barrett, Christie, Irvine and Downey; Scratch Race – Saturday, Downey, Buggle, Brammeier; 1K Time Trial – Saturday, Irvine.
I queried Phil Leigh about the current state of ‘track cycling’ and his comments are attached:
‘No there is no change of the guard. We have 8 or 9 guys in the track squad now and they all have to have opportunities to show what they can do, we will continue to test different combinations as each and every member of this squad must be capable of delivering a performance when called upon. Included in this group are four guys who are under 20, Aaron Buggle, Sam Bennett, Sean Downey and Marcus Christie. We now have an opportunity to blend youth with experience. David O’Loughlin and Matt Brammeier being the most experienced track riders in the team bring that experience to the squad going forward. The other riders are all gaining experience every time we train and compete on the track. Martyn Irvine, Stephen Barrett and David McCann all have great engines and contribute to give a balanced team effort on the day. We are very fortunate to be in this position and there are also others knocking on the door. The key task for the High Performance Team is now to gel the right blend of riders and make them go faster towards London 2012. A larger group of riders ensures healthy competition for places and that coupled with quality coaching and preparation can only help us to go faster.’
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Charity Cycle
Cody’s Challenge Postponed until 23rd January The details are below. There will be three distances/routes available, 25 miles, 55 miles and 70 miles. Sign on will be from 9.15am at Richhill Recreation Centre with the first riders away at 10.00am. The entry fee will be £10 for seniors and £5 for juniors and U16’s with all monies going to the Heart Beat charity. A ‘goodie’ bag will also be available to for all those signing on. This first group will be for leisure and touring riders as well all those completing the 25 mile route. A second group for competition/club riders will then start 15 minutes later and follow the same route. The 55 mile route will be Richhill, Armagh, Charlemont, Moy, Dungannon, Aughnacloy, Caledon , Armagh , Richhill. Those completing the 25 mile route will turn at Charlemont and return to Richhill via Loughgall (weather permitting) Those wishing to do the 70 mile route will turn right on their return to Armagh and travel out to Markethill and Tandragee before returning to Richhill. All groups will be accompanied by local riders and support vehicles. Showers and changing facilities will be available at Richhill Recreation Centre on the riders return. Hot soup and refreshments will be available there also from 12.00pm For further infomation I can contacted either via email or on 07709454047. Stephen Gallaghers mobile number is 07708064049
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Drogheda Fundraiser
A night at the Drogheda Pantomime 2010 is to be in aid of Drogheda Wheelers Cycling Club. The production will take place on Sunday, the 24th of January. It is a great family show and all proceeds will go to the club and will be used in the holding of the numerous underage events that the club promotes every year. All support appreciated
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Straight off the PRESS
I was of the opinion that everything was on ice, pardon the pun, but in cycling operations, the throttle is out and in fine form.
It may be 10 days away, but young Ciaran Campbell is hitting the boards as a member of the cast in a Pantomime. Who could resist the invite to a fundraiser in Newtownards this Friday. Leinster youth commision are trawling their nets this weekend in Bray. here’s hoping they unearth some talent from this undertaking.
Recently I got a number of replys to my request for a bit of crystal ball forecasting. Here are some of those forecasts and I promise more next week.
First out of the blocks-Philip Cassidy to have a great start to the season and ride the FBD Insurance Ras……..An Irish Rider to win a Premier Calender race ( Martyn Irvirne)……..Brian Kennelly to have the usually dominance to the start of the year ………The Sky Team to be chased down by every other team on the planet earth…… .Lance 2nd in the TDF…….. Duignan top 15 TDF / Roche Stage win / D.Martin top 20 on GC of a grand tour !(supplied by the Park Ranger)
Contador to win the tour….. same podium as last year with maybe the other Schleck brother finishing 2nd…….. Wiggins to abandon and throwing a huff. (Coat)
My crystal ball’s a little foggy at the moment due to the weather… Anyway, paper never refused ink…..A big year from our 3 top professionals with cycling receiving column inches not seen since the late 80′s……… Sam Bennett to join them in a top team by the end of the year……..Conor McAllister to step up a level in 2010 and cause selection headaches for the Commonwealth Games selectors……..Richard Hooton to emerge as a new talent worth watching………Azzurri Sports to become a big player in cycling management…….And the elite, espoir and veterans All-Ireland Road Race titles to be won by riders born outside of Ireland.(Teacher)
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Wheelers Turbo Training sessions Commences this evening (Thursday) 14th January for seven Thursday nights. Venue: Old Friary Church Carrickbeg. Setup/Sign on at 6.45pm. Session 7-8pm. Further information Martin O’ Loughlin 087-2338846 martinoloughlin@hotmail.com , www.danmorrisseycarrickwheelers.com
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Who could refuse an invite to this fundraiser which takes place tomorrow evening. With the weather as we write in their favour a full house is definetly is on the cards.
INVITATION
Dear friends in our beloved sport,
An fundraising evening get on their way in Newtownards on the Friday evening at 8pm in the Ards Bowling Club Comber Road.
The proceeds will go evenly to two worthy projects in Ireland,first of all the “Belgian Project” a project which sends young Ulster cycling athletes to Belgium in the summer, as guest riders for a top Amateur Belgian cycling team (Decock-Sportivo Moorsele West Flanders) who provide guest parents, participation in the team and training and race clothing, this to improve their skills and to improve their sport in a big way.Also to advertise cycling in Ulster and Ireland, as we have enormous talent here.
Secondly for the “Para Cycling Team Ireland” which gives disabled cycling athletes a chance to compete in local and international events (Silver Medallists in the World Champs Manchester 2009 on the track in the 3km.pursuit!)This to aid some funding, to be able to send the team to Cali Colombia for the World Championship in 2010.
The fundraiser is a unique event in N-Ireland,with support of many pros from the continent(Freddy Maertens,Nico Matan,Johan Musseeuw,Niels Albert and many more) Ireland North and South,United States,Great Brittain,Holland,Italy(World Champion 2008 Alessandro Ballan)Germany and Tjechie’, and donations of jerseys for auction (with signed cycling memorabilia)from the top of the sport, incl.Pad Mc Quaid UCI President and The Davy Mc Call Foundation (NI) with a jersey of Tour of Spain stage victor “Phillip Deignan “(Cervelo pro team)
See more info in attachments and web pages below…. www.facebook.com/thebelgianproject please get in touch with Dany Blondeel
founder en organiser on 02891-827628.
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Cycling Leinster Youth Commission is holding a one-day training camp this Sunday the 17th.
The camp will be open to all boys and girls who plan to do road racing in either the U14 or U16 categories this season. That is a boy born in the years 1994 -1997 and girls born between 1993 -1995.
The camp will be held in Bray Wheelers Clubhouse, which is situated, on Schools Road off the Boghall Road in Bray. The starting time is 10am and ending at around 3:00pm. There will be a training spin followed by a talk on training for youth riders and bike maintenance. All riders should bring road bikes, full cycling gear for all weathers including helmet. Riders should also bring along a packed lunch. Of the riders attending Twelve riders will be selected to attend a national camp in February in Mayo. For any further information please contact Gerard Campbell on 086 8192205 or Colm Rigley on 085 1740544. The base for the camp is to try and broaden the numbers of underage participants in Leinster.
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Postal entries now being accepted for Wicklow 200
Postal entries are now open and the may be sent to:
Wicklow 200
c/o 15 Riverwood Glen
Castleknock
Dublin 15.
Get in early and avoid the rush later on. Entries have gone over the 300 mark, so it looks as though despite the poor weather preparatations are well in hand for a big turn out come the big day in GREYSTONES.
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Drogheda Fundraiser
A night at the Drogheda Pantomime 2010 is to be in aid of Drogheda Wheelers Cycling Club. It tales place in a new theatre on the Donore Road and should entice a number of clubs in the general area. Ciaran Campbell is a participant in the show. The production will take place on Sunday, the 24th of January. It is a great family show and all proceeds will go to the club and will be used in the holding of the numerous underage events that the club promotes every year. All support appreciated. The show will be on for 10 nights. Accrding to Gerard Campbell, “It will us with our promotions and particularly Ras na nOg which takes place early in the season. Originally we had a car dealer involved with our promotion, but this year because of the decline in sales, they are giving it a miss and I fully understand their predicament,” said Gerard who’ll be in Bray on Sunday.
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Youth Cycling Spins Bray Wheelers Cycling Club youth spins continue every second Sunday afternoon, and we are looking to recruit new members to join in. Its open to boys and girls, and each fortnight we alternate between mountain biking and road biking, and also include track.
We now offer a service whereby we will meet at Bray Wheelers clubhouse, and bikes can be brought from there, with transport for bikes provided by van. This will make it easier for parents who have difficulty transporting bikes.
If you are interested in taking part, membership of Bray Wheelers is free for those under 14 yrs, and EUR 20 for those under 16. And insurance is provided by Cycling Ireland with licences starting at EUR 5. Coaching is offered by qualified Cycling Ireland coaches and we cater for a wide range of ages. Please contact Mark Loughran on 086 822 53210 email
info@identikit.ie, or Mark Murphy 086 810 4648, email sales@brayhondacenter.comHere is the list of spins for thisa month.
Sun 17th Jan
TRACK, meet 1.30pm sharp at Bray Clubhouse, for 2pm start in Track in Crumlin
Sun 31st Jan
MTB, meet 1.45pm sharp at Bray Clubhouse, for 2pm start in Ballinastoe for mountain biking.
It has to be said there was an obvious absence of bicycles on the road over the festive period. At least our motoring friends cannot say that the cyclists were all over the road. Hopefully our motoring friends with the sight of snow and ice will realise that they have to conduct themselves as responsible drivers and realise that the horsepower they have beneath them should be treated with the utmost respect.
And where is first port of call on the year ahead ahead?
St. Anne’s Park in Raheny provides the sparlke in our eyes this weekend with the Cyclo Cross Championship in pole position. And, just in case the avis reader only goes beyond the first paragraph! Weather conditions will dictatre on the day, sp please keep your eyes browsed on www.irishcycling.com for updates re the championships, this is only a precautionary warning, but as of now the course is okay but between now and Sunday it could go one way or the other and like ourt four legged friends, racing at Punchestown is very doubtful over the weekend. So, please keep on eye on the favourite website thast keeps you posted on domestic matters and the odd international flavour tips in now and again. Continue Reading »
We are all now under starters orders in the run up to the Christmas break and the New Year, but thankfully the ladies and gents who make up our season will be out pounding the roads. And then again it is the last minute shopping that needs to be addressed.
Emyvale CC McQuaid Tyres plus Bray Wheelers pioneers of the the break with the tradition back in the 70′s will be hoping for support from club members in particular and those from other clubs to support their respective events this SUNDAY. Plus you have only eight days to get that special piece of cycling equipment from the EuroBaby EuroCycles stores. But on Sunday, the pioneers of competition at Christmas started way in the early ’70′s.
Prior to that, it would indeed be a sacrilege to go racing at Christmas. Well, the Bray Wheelers under the batons of Joe Loughman and Paddy Martin both sadly have moved on and it would not surprise me that they orchestrating training runs in the heavens above! Down on this terrain, Joe and Paddy came up with a brainwave of more or less breaking the ice before the serious side of training started on the first day of January.
Tomorrow they are hosting there Annual Christmas race/fancy dress fun cycle, sign on is at 10am from the Bray Wheelers club house, on Schools Road in Bray, with race start at 11am. Its starting at Kilmacanogue, down the N11, turning at Delgany junction, and back to Kilmacanogue, 10km.
The event is very much a fun event and all cyclists are welcome (all abilities and all ages, members and non members). Refreshments will be served in the club house after the event. With prizes for best costumes as well. All friends and family are welcome.
Its a two-up time trial, over 10km, where teams of two (or sometimes more), guess their time for completing the course. The winning team finishes closest to their predicted time. So its not the fastest time that wins!
The pair came up with a apt name of the “Gentleman’s Grand Prix.” Steady on lads it is not a massed start but a time trial and by the way it will be over a distance of 10 miles, not kilometers. Who would have heard of that measurement back in the early 70′s.
It took a lot of discussion and persuasion to get the idea past the post that it would be a two up time trial and that the individuals would have to nominate their times. And so started a unique event that would change the face of competition in the off season.
The initial turnout was a respectable 41 pairs and by a strange coincidence. No! I don’t recall the winners. The highest number ever to participate in the event was in the mid-eighties when 91 teams participated, but then it became fashionable for other clubs to have their unique races.
Still to this day, the event creates a great awareness. The numbers are still very respectable, and the format has not changed one iota, save miles for kilometers after all we are in the EU. Still, after all these years, Philip O’Brien one of most respected commissaries and a former national road race champion, lines up. The same Phil first road the event with Jimmy Doyle, but in latter years members, his sons Ed and Philip teamed up with the maestro.
Nowadays it is the grandchild en who tend to partner him. This Sunday his eight year old grand daughter Eve will no doubt test the grand daddy of them all. Who knows Eve and Phil may just nominate the correct timing for their journey along the Wicklow Road. Its starting at Kilmacanogue, down the N11, turning at Delgany junction, and back to Kilmacanogue, 10km.
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PAUL DAN HEALION – Acknowledgment
The family of Paul Dan Healion, August 16th 2009, mother Mary, sisters Emma, Niamh, Nora, brothers Damien and Kevin, together with extended family will always remember and are most appreciative of all those who sympathised with and supported them during their recent tragic loss. Thank you to all of his outstanding friends, especially those who visited our home, sent mass cards, letters and tributes – our sincere and heartfelt thanks.
A special thanks to Kevin and Bercan who bravely sang at his mass and to the cycling community whose support has been immense throughout. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually for their words of comfort and encouragement, we hope this acknowledgement will be accepted by all with our sincere appreciation.
Forever loved and greatly missed we all take solace from our own happy memories of Paul Dan, the charming one, the funny one – our star.
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Murphy Plant & Agri Hire Mulled Wine Hill Climb
Emyvale CC McQuaid Tyres
The Club will be promoting their annual hill climb on the Golden Heights Toneyclea on Sunday.
Competitors are requested to be at the registration area at 9.30am at the Leisure Centre in Emyvale on Sunday. The Entry Fee for Senior & Leisure riders is €5.00. And Underage riders €3.00.Depart from the Centre at 10am for this hill climb is in conjunction with our normal Sunday Morning run. The club would like all riders young and old. “Male and Female” to support this event.
There is a very nice trophy for the overall winner who has the best time on the morning plus good prize money for 2nd 3rd and 4th. The overall winner will get the polka dot jersey which will be presented on the Night of our Dinner Dance.
All Club Members Young and Old are requested to make a special Effort to partake in this enjoyable event which is one of the last ‘Acts of the Year’ in the club Calendar. This Hill Climb is always well supported by club members. Outside clubs are also invited to attend and partake part in the Event.
The ladies, Annmarie and Kathleen, will pack an extra punch with a strong Mix of Wine plumping at the Top of the Golden Heights. An added Bonus of Mince Pies and traditional Christmas Carols on the Gramophone.
So come along everybody and leave the Recession Blues behind You and get into the Christmas Spirit (not literally) on the Morning.
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Club Licences: 2010
Regarding the club Licences for the coming season of 2010. it was agreed at the AGM that a date in early January be set, so that all club Members should have their ‘Monies’ and application forms handed into George’s shop or Annemarie so that your application can be processed. There is and increase in licences fee’s for 2010 coming down the track. The chairman would like every member to make a special effort to get this matter done and dusted on the said date. All applications have to go in together. Anybody not complying with this date will have to apply them self.
It is important that request is heeded as the club do not want to hold the other member’s licences up due to the lack of interest by other members.
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STILL SOME XMAS SHOPPING TO DO? WHY NOT SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
With eight days of shopping left! Are you still stumped on what to get the cyclists in your life for Christmas? The EuroBaby EuroCycles stores are a must. Ah! That just reminds me that I have to pay a visit to the William Street branch. myself I have neglected to kit myself out with lights.
As my grand daughter Mae would say ‘silly billy grand dad with no lights on your Felt machine.’ Or maybe this might just what you are looking for? An Indoor Trainer, so you could pound away in the comfort of your TV to keep your cycling fitness all winter.
So, the festive sesaon is well and truly upon us when in theory all people are equal and good humoured.
It has been a good news week for the Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club and for the sponsor of the Junior Tour, Martin Donnely, to my sponsors of the web page Eurobaby Eurocycles, but more about that anon plus the latest news about the ‘individual pursuit’ viz-a-vie the Olympics which ties in comfortably with the third round of the World Cup Track Cycling Championships in Columbia.
But first off we go to the announcement by the Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club who got an early Christmas pressie yesterday with the announcement that Ras Mumhan will be sponsored by the Kerry Group.
Admittedly, from being on site last year with the organising club, they left no stone unturned to deliver the premium advantage which a sponsor is entitled to. On the strength of that, the Concannons, Mary and Miceal plus of course the inimitable Tadgh Moriarty know their work along with the people behind the scenes was endorsed with this announcement and I have no doubt over the Chrismas a glass will be raised.
Continue Reading »
In its first year the ‘Development Program’ exposed many Junior and Under 23 riders to top level domestic racing in a team environment. Some collected stage wins in various stage races nationwide but more importantly all went away with vital experience gained which they would not have been exposed to if competing individually or even not at all. The National Development program will continue for 2010. A training camp for any Junior and Under 23 riders.
In these hard times, Dan through his negociating skills got a fantasti deal with the 4 star Charleville Park Hotel of €50 for 2 nights B&B plus 2 evening meals. The weekend will be aimed towards selecting the panels for both squads for the 2010 season.
One of the main items on the agenda will be that Ireland.inc does not miss the boat when it comes to representation at world level.
Last September at the World Cycling Championships in Mendriso, Switzerland it was noticeable that that no under-23′s were on the start line. They did not contest the requisite number of events to get ranking points and thus were marked absent. Nobody in authority has shed light for the real reason for not making the grid. In my opinion it is a book passing mechanism within the cycling organisation.
To make matters worse this particular season, we had riches in abundance in the under-23′s with the likes of Sam Bennett, Sean Downey and Philip Lavery. And who knows what grants will be awarded for competition, so maybe with the ‘worlds’ in Melbourne we will marked absent again.
In the junior section we had our best competitors for the Martin Donnelly Junior Tour also maked absent.
Dan Curtin who’ll conduct the course is eager that there are no slip ups for the coming season.
It may hidden in the bowels of my copy this week, but it has surfaced again and no doubt will keep been revisited and that is the failure to have an under-23 team at the World Cycling Championships in Mendriso, Switzerland last September. And to make matters worse the High Performance Director Phil Leigh announces to all and sundry that the trio of Nicholas Roche, Philip Deignan and Daniel Martin should be de listed from the carding system. Did he think that statement through? Still the good news is that the Mid West Road Club in Longford is preparing for a birthday party…..there is a get together for the juniors and under-23 in Charleville (where they built a station for the cheese)……Round four of the Connacht Mountainbike League is in Newport…..Could it happen here in Dublin?…….finally that man in the West is the news again with the promotion of the Sean Kelly Hamper Race in Westport, Joe McGuire.
“Where it began….the Kelly/Roche/Early/Kimmage and the McGowans of Mullingar era was my introduction to cyling…and now 20 yeares on I am very involved with the Mid West Road Club in Longford who may produce a star worthy of Kelly and the lads, but if it does not we will not lose in any sleep about it”, so said Donal Madden
The love affair or call it what you like began last January and now we aged. Similiar to the horses who automatically add another year to their age, likewise Mid West Road Club in Longford will be celebrating their first year as members of Cycling Ireland. Plus there are proud and stand high with the developments in the last 12 months.
Well with a logo ‘it doesn’t have to be the latest lightweight machine and don’t be put off by some people togged out in expensive looking gear’.
And how did it all start? You have to go back to the days of the Mulingar CC and the McGowans who were heavily involved in the club. Father Seamus and son Tommy were highly regarded in cycling circles at national level. Seamus was a member of the governing biody for cycling in Ireland and also a commissarie and Tommy was the competitor who raced all the country in between his studies at DCU.
Talking with Donal Madden about his involvement in the sport and the development of this club in Longford.
“Well with a logo like We stress it doesn’t have to be the latest lightweight machine and don’t be put off by some people togged out in expensive looking gear.
“Mid West Road Club in Longford have started a campaign locally and afar to increase their membership. They are open to new members and potential members who are always welcome on their club run. The membership covers the counties of Longford, Roscommon, Leitrim and Cavan but we’re not fussy we’ll welcome anyone from anywhere
In its first year the Development Program exposed many Junior and Under 23 riders to top level domestic racing in a team environment. Some collected stage wins in various stage races nationwide but more importantly all went away with vital experience gained which they would not have been exposed to if competing individually or even not at all. The National Development program will continue for 2010. A training camp for any Junior and Under 23 riders will take place in Charleville, Co. Cork on the 5th & 6th December 2009. A great deal has been agreed with the 4 star Charleville Park Hotel of €50 for 2 nights B&B plus 2 evening meals. This weekend will be aimed towards selecting the panels for both squads for the 2010 season. Further queries contact Dan @ 087-2304365 You can Download the Application form Here www.irishcycling.com
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Connacht MTB League
The Connacht MTB League enters Round 4 this Sunday. The venue is Shramoor, Newport, Co. Mayo.Round four of the All races sign on from 11am Youth race 12noon, Seniors 1pm Contact Martin @0872226260 or Darren 0872307821
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Could it happen here in DUBLIN
Boris and Ken – as well as those kind folk at the City of London – have put in loads of cycle lanes for those of us who choose to save the planet on our way into work.
But vans keep parking in them, which means I have to swerve out into the middle of the road and hope that I don’t get clipped by a taxi.
The law, as I understand it, is that vans can stop to unload, but they are supposed to only spend a few minutes doing so.
In the City, they appear to be given rather more leeway than other parts of town which, if you are on two wheels, makes life more difficult.
My entire route is based on avoiding right turns where possible and I am not too keen on having to swerve around obstacles on what I thought was supposed to be “my bit of road”.
At the very least this has underlined how difficult it is to allocate road space and the only way in which our cities will work is if we share it.
Touch wood, my basic cowardice means that I have managed to avoid any road rage incidents during my embryonic cycling career.
But given the open warfare which seems to prevail on the capital’s streets I fear it is only a matter of time.
Motorists have, to date, been as good as gold. The only stroppy person I have come across to date has been another cyclist.
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Mention, Westport, Co. Mayo and one name crops up. None other than Joe McGuire of Mayo Wheelers. -end- |
Tesco is seeking restitution of the overpaid monies following the error by its finance team.
The supermarket chain should have paid Universal Cycles, a subsidiary of Sports Direct which is controlled by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, £984 for six Muddy Fox Suspension Bikes but paid £984,000 instead.
Universal, an Essex-based company majority-owned by Sports Direct, has paid back £863,000 but Tesco claims it is holding on to more than £121,000 in outstanding funds, sources said.
It has launched legal action at the High Court to recover the remaining money, legal costs and a further £1,783 – the sum the retailer claims it is owed in interest at 8% a year.
The error was made on August 13 and Universal was asked to repay it 15 days later. Universal then repaid some of the funds on September 29, but £121,412 is outstanding, sources said.
It is understood a meeting will be held between the two parties in a bid to resolve the dispute out of court.
A Tesco spokesman declined to comment on the ongoing case.
Not surprising. Continue Reading »
They’re called Taylor Phinney, Cameron Meyer, Eilzabeth Armistead, Josephine Tomic, Morgan Keisky, Leigh Howard, Grégory Baugé. They come from the United States, Australia, Great Britain and France. They are World Champions. But, above all, they are all very young!
The 2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, which took place in the magnificent setting of the new velodrome in Pruszkow, Poland, was marked by an extremely important shift of power between the generations. This can be seen as a turning point compared with the principal events of these last years – particularly the Beijing Olympic Games – where the British dominated almost all the specialties.
Apart from the absence of Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and Rebecca Romero, which certainly contributed to restoring a greater balance in the different disciplines, a “new wave” of track cyclists progressively imposed itself as the days went by, providing an intense sporting spectacle of the highest quality.
For example, we witnessed Taylor Phinney’s winning performance against Jack Bobridge – who is also just 19 years old – in the pursuit, and the success of Cameron Meyer – 21 years old – in the points race. Both the American and the Australian should now be considered among the strongest and most all-round athletes on the circuit. The titles that they won in Pruszkow represent just the beginning of their careers in the Elite category after numerous victories as Juniors.
The new king of the sprint, Grégory Baugé, is also still very young. At 24 years old, he won his fourth consecutive gold medal in the teams’ event before earning, for the first time, the rainbow jersey in the individual competition. His closest rivals – the Malaysian Aziz Awang, who has just turned 21, and his compatriot Kévin Sireau – can also look ahead with confidence to their future in this specialty, where Great Britain does not appear able to guarantee a successor for Hoy.
New Women’s world record
In the Women’s competition, the 2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships were marked by the exploit of the Lithuanian Simona Krupeckaite, who established a new world record in the 500 metres. As for Victoria Pendleton, she met with some difficulties and left Poland with only one of the four gold medals that she was aiming for. After dominating the sprint events in Manchester and Beijing, she had to make do with the individual sprint title while conceding unexpected defeats: in the 500 metres where she finished third, but also in the keirin, won by the Chinese athlete Guo Shuang, and in the team sprint, which went to Australia.
Track cycling, a universal discipline
In total, 18 of the 38 countries participating in these championships placed at least one athlete on the podium, and 11 of them had the privilege of seeing one of their representatives on the highest step. This new geographical distribution, with riders from four continents sharing the 19 titles, is a very positive aspect of the overall result of these World Championships.
Indeed, the exploits of the following nations confirm the universality of track cycling. Germany celebrated the victories of Maximilian Lévy in the keirin and Stefan Nimke in the kilometer. Denmark has now truly launched the 2010 edition in Copenhagen thanks to its victories in the Madison and the team pursuit. Giorgia Bronzini, having already won the World Cup, gave Italy a gold medal in the points race. Malaysia, Cuba, China, Canada and Belgium also left Poland with extremely positive results, demonstrating that the new Olympic cycle has got under way with encouraging prospects in view.
Cycling Australia is pleased to confirm the final make up of the’Toshiba Cyclones’ Australian team to contest the UCI Track Cycling World Championships being staged in Pruszkow, Poland from 25 to 29 March 2009.
The team has been finalised after evaluation during a training camp in Adelaide with 16 riders confirmed in the final team. The team will depart Adelaide for Poland on Thursday 19 March.
‘Toshiba Cyclones’ – 2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships
* Ashlee Ankudinoff (Menai NSW, 20.08.1990
* Jack Bobridge (Evaston Gardens SA, 13.07.1989)
* Rohan Dennis (Vale Park SA, 28.05.1990)
* Dan Ellils (Ngunnawal, ACT 07.10.1988)
* Belinda Goss (Nook, TAS, 06.01.1984)
* Leigh Howard (Waurn Ponds, VIC 18.10.1989)
* Sarah Kent (Duncraig WA, 10.02.1990)
* Anna Meares (Gracemere, QLD 21.09.1983)
* Kaarle McCulloch (Gymea Bay, NSW 20.01.1988)
* Cameron Meyer (Helena Valley WA, 11.01.1988)
* Travis Meyer (Helena Valley WA 08.06.1989)
* Jason Niblett (Horsham, VIC 18.02.1983)
* Glenn O’Shea (Eaglehawk, VIC 14.06.1989)
* Shane Perkins (Hughesdale VIC, 30.12.1986)
* Scott Sunderland (Hillarys, WA 16.03.1988)
* Josephine Tomic (Perth WA, 09.06.1989)
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Jef Ong
tomycampbell
