Cycling Reports

OLYMPIC PLACES STILL UP FOR GRABS 

(June 11) In the aftermath of last months FBD Milk Rás, which was won by a foreigner for the first time since 1989, there still burns the question in Irish cycling, who will be riding the Olympic Road Race in Sydney this September ?

Late last season an Irish team traveled to Uruaguay to compete in the 'B' World Road Race Championships where Waterford's Ciaran power took home a bronze medal and Listowel's Eugene Moriarty took fifth place, earning Ireland the right to two berths in the Olympic Road Race in Sydney in September 2000.

Whilst Power has since gone from strength to strength, turning professional for the British Linda McCartney team and adjusting magnificently to life in the paid ranks with superb fifth and sixth place finishes on stages of the worlds second biggest tour, the Giro D'Italia, to keep him in the frame,
Moriarty's place is looking more uncertain.

With the two riders qualifying not necessarily being the two selected, the clamour is on by others to show National Team Director, Richie Beatty that they deserve a place in Sydney come September. Beatty has until just before the National Road Race Championships, to be held in Blackrock, Cork, on the 25th of this month, to pare his squad from the ten he now has to a possible five contenders, so who are they likely to be ?

Power is almost a certainty and barring injury or illness must go. That leaves just one place to fill and a lot of headaches for Beatty.

Morgan Fox from Athlone is Irelands only other professional cyclist and is also a former National Road Race Champion. While Fox is yet to strike the same rich vein of form that Power has, he is still gaining plenty of experience racing day in, day out in cycling's top flight. Indeed Fox has already completed such classics as Liege-Bastogne-liege and Fleche Wallone since turning pro and has the advantage of racing every day against those who will surely be in contention in Sydney.

1998 Junior World Road Race Champion, Mark Scanlon from Sligo has put the knee injury that dogged him for much of last year behind him and is riding well for his new French team CC Etupes. He has already won some important French races and only two weeks ago finished third overall in the four day Fleche Charronte in Limousine, while his club also took the team prize.

David McCann from Belfast was easily the most impressive Irish rider in this years Rás winning a stage, coming second twice and third on two more occasions, not to mention walking away with the points and king of the mountains jerseys. Indeed if McCann hadn't missed the first day breakaway group he could easily have added yellow to his jersey collection.

Mayo's Dave O'Loughlin wasn't too far behind McCann in the popularity stakes. The Italian based, 23 year old, held the yellow jersey of race leadership for two days before an under strength, young team forced him to relinquish it. O'Loughlin nevertheless continued the fight right up to the death and was one of a mere handful of Irish riders to impress over the nine days racing.

Home based Eugene Moriarty showed well early in the season and indeed looked like being a real contender in the Rás up until the last few days. Alas for the Trinity physiology graduate it all came to nought and he now has to try and impress all over again.

Final stage winner and former Irish Road Race Champion Tommy Evans, highest placed Irishman overall, Paddy Moriarty, penultimate stage winner Stephen O'Sullivan and Italian based Galwegian Michael McNena may also be considered but have little time to further their chances.

With the Olympic Road Race not until September a lot can happen. Riders can become ill, crash, or simply lose form while others can suddenly burst on the scene with a clutch of wins or high placings, but with the 'famous five' being nominated in a week or two, David McCann, Dave O'Loughlin, Tommy Evans and Paddy Moriarty will get a last chance to impress in the green of Ireland between now and then when they compete in the Manx International on the Isle Of Man on June 23rd. With the quintet becoming a duet shortly after, the clock is ticking for Irish cycling's Olympic hopefuls.