Cycling Round Up |
|
Archives: June 2002
Fourth place went to the luckless David McCann (Volksbank Ideal) who started the day aiming to land his third consecutive national road race title but who saw his chances scuppered on the opening lap when he punctured twice. Despite losing a considerable amount of time, McCann showed his national TT winning-form of two days ago when he succeeded in closing back up to the main field, but by the time the Belfastman rejoined the peloton Scanlon, Power and Ofoto-Lombardi professional David O’Loughlin had flown the coop. McCann tried repeatedly to get clear of the main bunch but was marked down each time; the only riders successful in their bid to bridge across to the leaders were Evans, Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways Lee Strand) and Brendan Doherty (Totalcycling.com), who closed the gap with three of the eight laps completed. Reinforcing the impression that the leading three had waited for reinforcements from behind, the front group accelerated once more and reopened up their advantage over a chasing group which included Stephen O’Sullivan (unattached), Mick O’Donnell (VC Quimperois), Philip Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand) and McCann. Moriarty and Doherty were soon in difficulty, with the former losing contact before the main climb of Harbourstown and the latter suffering visibly, but for now managing to hold onto the wheels of his breakaway companions. Yet the next to go was surprisingly O’Loughlin, who hadn’t appeared in difficulty but who pulled out after crossing the finish line for the fifth time. Doherty’s fragilities on the hill finally proved too much one lap later, the big Northern rider slipping backwards and fading out of contention as Power turned the screw up front. Evans too appeared under pressure, and when Power kicked on the final ascent of Harbourstown the VC La Pomme rider slipped backwards and looked to be in serious difficulties. Evans dug deep and clawed his way back up to the leading duo, only to see Scanlon launch a stinging attack as they neared the crowd-lined summit and draw clear of a suddenly fragile-looking Power. The young Sligoman swiftly opened a lead but his older, more experienced pursuer reeled him back in after the descent to the Naul village and appeared in control once more. However with Evans chasing hard behind, Scanlon played the card of loyal team-mate and refused to work, swinging the odds in VC La Pomme’s favour. Sure enough, once Evans rejoined he and Scanlon took it in turns to attack Power, who at that point appeared the strongest but was rapidly losing heart.
Scanlon went clear with about six miles remaining and while Power swiftly rejoined, his next attack on the Balscadden Hill was enough to open daylight between himself and the increasingly-frustrated Navigators rider. For a few moments it appeared that Power was letting Scanlon get a gap and was then planning on jumping, and leaving, Evans but the counterattack never came; while the 2002 FBD Milk Rás winner seemed to have the legs needed to drop his shadow, Power's aggression ebbed and he appeared to resign himself to the race for silver. Up front, Scanlon put his head down and sped to an unassailable lead; he raced into the village of Stamullen over a minute clear of Power, who had little trouble in outsprinting Evans to take second. McCann was next home, having broken clear on the final lap in a belated - and ultimately ineffective - attempt to rejoin the leaders and secure that record third win. Andrew Donnellan (Dublin Wheelers) out-kicked Denis Lynch (VC La Pomme) to take fifth, but while the Marseille squad were clearly the most prominent today, the team prize went to Cycleways Lee Strand as they were the first Irish-registered group home.
‘I am happy with the way things went. I wasn’t sure how I would go today, I have only been racing a few weeks after getting over the ankle injury I had and while I was going well last weekend, I didn’t know what to expect in this race.’ Power was disappointed, but realised that once Scanlon and Evans were in the break with him, they had the advantage. ‘They started working me over coming in to the finish. There was nothing wrong with what they did…it was good team tactics but unfortunately it made things very hard for me. I was able to close them down a few times, but knew that was going to happen all the way to the finish so there was little chance. Mark went clear again and that was it.’
Team: Cycleways Lee Strand (Finnegan, P. Cassidy, T. Cassidy) <See Pictures Here>
Riding strongly, her smooth high-cadence style carrying her rapidly along the undulating course, the 26 year old quickly gained time and by the end of the first of three laps she had a two-minute lead. This advantage continued to grow, up to four minutes by the halfway point of the 32 mile race and over five minutes clear by the finish. Manning jumped clear on the final lap to move into the silver medal position and Moriarty slipped clear of Swift to make certain of the bronze.
Racing in France for the past 6 years, Gill plans to remain there but hopes to move up to a professional team next year. ‘I want to stay in France as there are lots of women’s race there, but the plan is to get a few world ranking points and try to get a contract. I am doing a big international race there at the end of July, the Trophee D’Or, and then will do some more in September. Hopefully I can get to the world championships and then next year get a contract and do some big races. The overall plan is to aim for the Olympics in 2004, that is the big target for me.’ Women’s National Road Race Championships, Stamullen: 1, Geraldine Gill (VC Quintin) 36 miles in 1 hour 38 mins 23 secs; 2, L. Manning (Usher IRC) at 5 mins 28 secs; 3, L. Moriarty (Dublin Skip) at 6 mins 07 secs; 4, C. Swift (Surrey League) at 7 mins 14 secs; 5, K. Rudd (North Tipperary CC) at 14 mins 24 secs; 6, G. McDarby (IMBRC) same time <See Pictures Here> Glenside Hotel G.P. (Stamullen) on Saturday – 3rd Cats: 1 Jonathan Cruise, Bray Wheelers CC, 2 Derek Irwin, BH Racing Team, 3 Greg 0’Donnell, Unattached, 4 Noel Kelly, Stamullen M Donnelly RC, 5 Mark Nulty, Stamullen M Donnelly RC, 6 Stephen Patton, Clann Eireann CC, 7 Bill Millar, CRC, 8 Andy Lakes, St. Tiernan’s CC, 9 Tommy Lynch, Garda CC, 10 Jason Ludgate, McNally Swords CC, 11 Ken Maloney, Navan Avonmore RC, 12 Pat Byrne, Dublin Wheelers CC, 13th Gerard Cromwell, Stamullen M Donnelly RC, Team: Stamullen M Donnelly, Noel Kelly, Mark Nulty, Gerard Cromwell. Under 16: 1 Paul McMahon, Bray Wheelers CC, 2 Martin Munroe, Western Lakes CC, 3 David Dunlop, Lakeland CC, 4 Thomas Jensen, Sorrento CC, 5 Stephen McKenna, Balbriggan CC, 6 Urban Monks, Bray Wheelers CC Under 14: 1 Gareth McAdam, Emyvale CC McQuaid Tyres, 2 Chris Jensen, Sorrento CC, 3 Michael Furphy, Lurgan CC, 4 Colm Enright, Usher IRC, 5 Grace McNally, McNally Swords CC, 6 Aaron Henry, Usher IRC Under 12: 1 Niall Rock, McNally Swords CC, 2 Philip Lavery, DPC First Legal, 3 Enda Scanlon, Sligo CC, 4 Cloe Farrell, Hillcrest Hire CC, 5 Stephen McDonald, Emyvale McQuaid Tyres, 6 Benner Maguire, Drogheda Whlrs, 7 Laura McKenna, Balbriggan CC, 8 Chrissie Guildea, Stamullen M Donnelly, 9 Sonya Carey, Stamullen M Donnelly Seymour wins Gran Fondo event: (By Shane Stokes June 30) Irish MTB cross-country champion Robin Seymour won the GP Casentino event in Northern Italy, breaking clear on a long climb in the middle of the 46 kilometre event and crossing the line alone. The Italian-based Mapei off-road rider also took the King of the Mountains prize during the race, which was determined by the fastest ascent of the same climb. Red Hand Trophy: 1, T. Evans (VC La Pomme) 2hrs 37mins 1 secs; 2, B. Hunter (East Antrim/Audi) at 1min 21secs; 3, J. Dempsey (Classic Walls) at 1 min 45 secs; 4, M. Greer (Maryland Whs); 5, P. Bloomer (Harps CC); 6, S. Turner (Bann Valley); 7, M. Ward (Roadstars Crumlin); 8, L. Nelson (Ballymena/Scott); 9, T. Walsh (Team Madigan); 10, A. Martin (Ards CC) all same time. Sandy Spence Cup (Under-16): 1 C Burbage (Ballymena/Scott); 2 A Hoey (Ballymena/Scott); 3 M Robb (Old Bleach). Under-14: C Allen (Ballymena/Scott). McCann, Gill Storm to TT Gold: (By Shane Stokes June 28) Any lingering question marks over the fitness of David McCann were dispelled last night after a storming display saw him defend his National Time Trial Championship crown in Navan. The Volksbank Ideal professional may have missed much of the early season through illness and injury but he nevertheless scorched to a three minute winning margin over his nearest competitor, a huge difference on a 43 kilometre course.
McCann’s showing is the perfect response to chief rival Ciarán Power’s victory on Thursday night in the Paddy Flanagan Memorial in Kildare, with the two favourites now going into Sunday’s road race championships in Stamullen with a win each to their credit this week. There was a psychological boost too for women’s road race champion Geraldine Gill (VC Quintin), who showed she is well on course to take a record fourth win on Sunday when she dominated the women’s event. Gill recorded a time of 33 minutes, 42 seconds for the 23 kilometre test and was almost three and a half minutes clear of Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) and four minutes ahead of bronze medallist Sheila Rafferty (Phoenix CC). Killorglin riders monopolised the medals in the junior event, with Theo Hardwick, Micheal Concannon and Barry Woods topping the table, while Sean Bracken (Usher IRC) beat Jim Cassidy (DPC First Legal) and Mark Birney (Maryland Wheelers) to land the veteran’s title. National time trial championships, Navan: 1, David McCann (Volksbank Ideal) 43 kilometres in 56 mins 32 secs; 2, D. O’Louglin (Ofoto Lombardi Sports) 59 mins 33 secs; 3, A. Donnellan (Dublin Wheelers) 1 hour 28 secs; 4, P. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand) 1 hour 53 secs; 5, P. Healion (Usher IRC) 1 hour 1 min 58 secs; 6, T. Hughes (Stamullen M. Donnelly) 1 hour 2 mins 41 secs Women: 1, Geraldine Gill (VC Quintin) 23 kilometes in 33 mins 42 secs; 2, L. Moriarty (Dublin Skip) 37 mins 5 secs; 3, S. Rafferty (Phoenix CC) 37 mins 39 secs Junior: 1, Theo Hardwick (Killorglin CC) 23 kilometres in 31 mins 10 secs; 2, M. Concannon (Killorglin CC) 31 mins 43 secs; 3, B. Woods (Killorglin CC) 32 mins 15 secs Veterans: 1, Sean Bracken (Usher IRC) 43 kilometres in 1 hour 5 mins 18 secs; 2, J. Cassidy (DPC First Legal) 1 hour 7 mins 14 secs; 3, M. Birney (Maryland Wheelers) 1 hour 7 mins 28 secs
‘Ciarán was very impressive’, said fifth-placed Laurence Roche afterwards. ‘He was just tapping through easily in the break and didn’t have to push himself hard at all. I had a go inside the last kilometre but the group got back up to me, and Ciarán flew by in the sprint and won easily.’ The Navigators professional has returned from a successful season racing in the US and Europe and will be highly motivated for Sunday’s race. He will come up against a number of strong riders, including McCann who is aiming to land his third straight victory in the road race championships. Twelve months ago the Volksbank Ideal professional was a dominant winner in Dundrod, and while his preparation has been hampered by illness and injury during the early season, a solid showing in the recent Tour of Austria suggests that he will put up a strong defence of his crown this weekend. Although the bulk of the 140-plus field is made up of home riders, it is the foreign based contingent who have the best chance of foiling McCann’s aspiration. Besides Power, fellow US professional David O’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi Sports) and the French-based Mark Scanlon, Tommy Evans, Denis Lynch (all VC La Pomme) and Panorimmo’s Aidan Duff should all be in the thick of the action in Stamullen. Geraldine Gill is another who has travelled back from cycling’s heartland for the road race championships and she is clear favourite to extend her remarkable sequence to a record fourth win. Gill dominated the women’s event 12 months ago and her form this year suggests that she has every chance of making history on Sunday. There will be many hoping to deny her, though, and chief of these is US-based Lorraine Manning, who has also benefited from some top-class competition this year while racing the early season with the Atlanta Velo team. What is certain is that the tough course will produce a worthy winner in both events, which are sponsored by Bob's Bike Bits and Ideal Bikes. This year’s national championship road races use the same circuit as is employed in the Stamullen Grand Prix, a tough 12 mile lap which includes the steep climb of Harbourstown and another leg-sapping drag near Gormanstown village which often proves decisive. The men’s race takes in 8 laps, 96 miles which afford the strong ample opportunity to thin out the field, while the women’s contest will see them complete 3 circuits of the testing course. While the spotlight is on these two categories, Senior 3 and underage riders have their own event to aim for this weekend when the championship-hosting Stamullen M. Donnelly club promote a series of races on Saturday evening as part of the local festival. Starting at 6.30 pm, the races will be held on a circuit from Stamullen to Balscadden and back through Gormanstown, and should draw a good field. Paddy Flanagan Memorial Race, Kildare: 1, Ciarán Power (Navigators); 2, T. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand); 3, C. Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly); 4, S. Whelan (McNally Swords CC); 5, L. Roche (BH Racing Team); 6, A. Hedderman, (Cycleways Lee Strand) 1st senior 2: John Mason (BH Racing Team); 1st junior: Andrew McQuaid (Emerald CC) IVCA 30 mile DMS Boot Inn: Race 1: Seamus Kennedy (Navan Avonomore); 2, T. Lavery (DPC First Legal); 3, H. Davis (Usher IRC); 4, J. Lally (Dublin Wheelers); 5, R. Brannigan (Orwell Wheelers); 6, L Keenan (Orwell) Race 2: P. Halligan (Obelisk); 2, P. Fitzsimons (Dublin Wheelers); 3, T. Richardson (Dublin Wheelers); 4, B. Reynolds (IVCA); 5, D. McGrath (Bray Wheelers); 6, M. Tynan (IVCA) Race 3: P. Kelly (Dublin Wheelers); 2, D. Blake (McNally Swords); 3, R. O’Rourke (McNally Swords); 4, D. Howe (Newbridge Cutlery); 5, L. Cully (Usher IRC); 6, J. Duffy (IVCA) Mark Mullen Handicap League, Duleek: 1, Alan Clogher (TC Racing); 2, R. Whelan (Navan Avonmore RC); 3, R. Moore (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 4, T. Hughes (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 5, M. Nulty (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 6, M. Rock (McNally Swords) First woman: Grace McNally (McNally Swords); First under 16: Sean Rock (McNally Swords); First under 12: Ciara Crawley (Balbriggan CC)
Ahern had looked a likely winner after riding strongly throughout the one hour criterium, which is named after Ireland's 1987 Tour de France winner and takes place on a circuit near his childhood home. The young UCD rider surged clear from the Senior 1 bunch before the halfway point of the event and gradually closed the gap to the Senior 2, senior 3, veteran and junior competitors, who had been granted a generous handicap by the promoting Orwell Wheelers club. Up front, many attempts were made to go clear and these efforts ensured that the first group's advantage remained relatively constant over the disorganised chasers. Ahern, however, was fully committed to the task at hand and succeeded in closing the gap with ten laps remaining. He then sat in for several laps to recover before forging ahead once more with three other riders and opening a lead over the first bunch, who by now were finally within sight of some of the pursuing Senior 1 riders. With three laps to go Ahern gritted his teeth once more and went clear with Finglas Ravens’ Anto Moran and, given his impressive strength all night, looked set for a great victory. However the now-regrouped chasing bunch had all but closed the gap as the riders crossed the line to take the bell, and on the final lap Thomas surged past Ahern and opened a good lead. The inexhaustible Ahern tried to get back on terms with Thomas, who had been upgraded to first category status earlier this season, but while he managed to reduce the gap all the way up the finishing straight he was unable to reel in the Finglas Ravens cyclist. Navan Avonmore’s Emmet Roche sprinted home in third place and netted the prize for the first Senior 2 contestant, while Stephen O’Sullivan (unattached) and McNally Swords’ Gearoid Loughnane were fourth and fifth respectively. ‘It is amazing to get this’, said a clearly delighted Thomas afterwards. ‘I haven’t won a race since 2000 and never expected to be first tonight. I am not a sprinter so I let the other guys make the pace during the evening and then picked my moment to make my move. I went on the final lap and got a gap, then had enough left to hold on to the line.’ Thomas was generous in his praise of Ahern, who impressed many this evening. ‘His ride was unbelievable. We didn’t think that we were going to catch him when he went clear early on, but we all rode well together to get back in touch. After all he did I was very surprised to see him behind me up the finishing straight – Tim rode very, very well.’ ‘It seemed like I was riding a time trial all night’, said the second-placed Ahern. ‘I rode very hard to get across to the B riders and was a bit knackered then, but I sat on for a couple of laps and was able to recover. My team-mate did a bit of work for me and then had another go and got clear.’ ‘When Graham went I tried to close the gap but he had enough left to get there first….perhaps if the line had been another hundred metres away I might have caught him, but he went at just the right time and rode very well to hang on. It was a good win.’ Stephen Roche Grand Prix: 1, Graham Thomas (Finglas Ravens); 2, T. Ahern (UCD); 3, E. Roche (Navan Avonmore); 4, S. O’Sullivan (unattached); 5, G. Loughnane (McNally Swords); 6, B. Taafe (Dublin Wheelers). First Senior 2: Roche; First junior: Andrew McQuaid (Emerald); First veteran: Jim Cassidy (DPC First Legal) Power For Paddy Flanagan Event: The late Paddy Flanagan will be remembered on Thursday with the second holding of his memorial race in Kildare town. Starting at 7.30, the circuit race is expected to feature up to 100 riders, including FBD Milk Rás winner Ciarán Power. The Navigators professional has returned from his New Jersey base to ride the national road race championships on Sunday and is regarded as one of the main favourites for the title. Before then, the Stephen Roche Classic will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) around the Meadowmount estate in Dundrum. Sign on is from 6 pm onwards in the Dundrum Shopping Centre, with the race due to start shortly after 7.30 POWER FINISHES 28TH OVERALL: (By Shane Stokes June 24) Ciarán Power finished 28th overall in his last international race before next Sunday’s national championships, ending the 2.3 ranked GP Cycliste de Beauce 12 minutes and 32 seconds behind the Australian race winner Michael Rogers of the Mapei-Quickstep team. Power placed 47th on the hilly final stage, a tough 143 kilometre race which featured constant attacking throughout and saw the main field split into many small groups before the finishing circuit in St. George. Czech rider Lubor Tesar outsprinted 22 others to land the stage win, with Power finishing 6 minutes and 37 seconds down. He will now travel back to Ireland for Sunday’s road race championships in Stamullen. Before then, he is expected to line out as part of the strong field due to compete in the Paddy Flanagan Memorial race in Kildare on Thursday evening, starting at the town square at 7.30. Power 23rd with one stage remaining: (By Shane Stokes June 23) Navigators professional Ciarán Power finished 64th on Saturday’s second road stage of the GP Cycliste de Beauce, 22 seconds behind winner Gordon Fraser of the Mercury team, and remains in 23rd place overall. Power and the rest of his team-mates were active at the end of the morning’s 111 kilometre race based around St. George, but any hopes of a victory for the New Jersey squad were dashed when the approach to the finish line descended into chaos. Race marshals blocked off the wrong turning inside the final kilometre, inadvertently directing the speeding peloton down a small alleyway and into a crowded car park. With bemused riders eventually crossing the finishing line in the wrong direction, the results for the stage were predictably annulled and Power was classified in the same time as the main bunch. The GP Cycliste de Beauce finishes later today with a (hopefully better-organised) 143 kilometre road stage which is once again based around St. George. Drumm Memorial, Currow: 1, Martin O’Loughlin (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); 2, J. Dempsey (Earl of Desmond CC); 3, E. O’Donoghue (Cidona Carrick Wheelers)
Galway Bay CC duo Simon Kelly and Nigel Forde took gold and silver in the Connaught region’s championship, finishing ahead of Mayo Wheelers’ Mark Quigley and also landing the team prize. Leinster Road Race Championships: Senior 1: Aidan Crowley (Cycleways Lee Strand); 2, C. Sweetman (Stamullen M Donnelly); 3, A. Hedderman (Cycleways Lee Strand). Team: Cycleways Lee Strand Senior 2: 1, Brendan Whelan (Staggs Lucan); 2, S. Connaughton (Cycleways Lee Strand); 3, B. Taafe (Dublin Wheelers). Team: Staggs Lucan Senior 3: Albert Maher (unattached); 2, B. Mullins (Bray Wheelers CC); 3, A. Clough (TC Racing) Junior: 1, James Lattimore (Usher IRC); 2, A. McQuaid (Emerald CC); 3, S. Enright (Usher IRC) Veterans: 1, Jim Cassidy (Garda CC); 2, M. Nulty (Stamullen M. Donnelly RC); 3, T. Ferris (Dublin Wheelers CC) Women: 1, Lorraine Manning (Usher IRC); 2, L. Moriarty (Dublin Skip); 3, R. Kennedy (Usher IRC) Connaught Cycling Championships: (June 22) Senior 1: 1, Simon Kelly (Galway Bay CC); 2, N. Forde (Galway Bay CC); 3, M. Quigley (Mayo Wheelers). Team: Galway Bay CC Senior 2: Padraig Marrey (Western Lakes CC); Senior 3: PJ Doherty (Castlebar CC); Junior: William Britton (Castlebar CC); Veteran: Dessie Woods (Sligo CC) Under 16: Derek Burke (Byte Life Tuam); 2, R. Browne (Western Lakes CC); 3, B. Cawley (Castlebar CC) Under 14: Jason Joyce (Western Lakes CC); 2, M. Feeley (Western Lakes CC) Under 12: Enda Scanlon (Sligo CC) Munster Championships: (June 22) 1, Paul Griffin (Earl of Desmond CC); 2, M. O’Loughlin (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); 3, V. Gleeson (West Clare CC) Veteran: Bobby Power (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); Junior: Michael Concannon (Killorglin CC) IVCA 25 Mile TT Championship, Enfield: Age Standard: 1, P. Schweppe (Orwell); 2, K. O’Rourke (IVCA); 3, L. Keenan (Orwell); 4, D. McGrath (Bray Wheelers); 5, A. Murtagh (Obeslisk); 6, E. Thackerberry (Newbridge Cutlery) Fastest: 1, Sean Bracken (Usher IRC); 2, P. Halpin (McNally Swords); 3, H. Davis (Usher IRC); 4, Keenan; 5, Schweppe; 6, McGrath POWER DROPS BACK: (By Shane Stokes June 22) Having moved up to fifth overall after his fine third place in the third stage of the GP Cycliste de Beauce in Canada, Irish professional Ciarán Power has slipped back in the general classification following a mountain and time trial stage. Power was 31st over the line on the 2.3 tour’s fourth stage to Mont Megantic, finishing 6 minutes and 16 seconds behind stage winner Stéphane Barthe (St. Quentin-Oktos), and dropping to 28th overall. Power improved slightly on his GC position in stage 5’s 22 kilometre time trial at St. Jean de la Lande, finishing 25th in the race against the clock, some 2 minutes and 36 seconds behind winner Thomas Liese of the Nürnberger - Versicherung team. He is now 23rd overall, 5 minutes and 33 seconds off the race lead of Australian Michael Rodgers of the Mapei Quick Step team. The GP Cycliste de Beauce continues today with two split stages, a 112 kilometre road race and a 64 kilometre criterium, and concludes tomorrow with a 143 kilometre race starting and finishing in St. Georges. MARK MULLEN MEMORIAL- H/C LEAGUE – DULEEK: (By Shane Stokes June 21) 1, Robert Welan (Navan Avonmore); 2, R. Moore (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 3, P. Butler (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 4, F. McCormack (Newbridge Cutlery); 5, C. Crawely (Balbriggan CC); 6, M. Kelly (Stamullen M. Donnelly) Underage: u/12: 1, Chrissie Guildea (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 2, N. Rock (McNally Swords); 3, C. Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers); 4, L. McKenna (Balbriggan CC); 5, C. Crawley (Balbriggan CC) U/14: 1, Grace McNally (McNally Swords); 2, M. Daly (McNally Swords); 3, E. Lynskey (Avonmore Navan) U/16: 1, Stephen McKenna (Balbriggan CC); 2, I. Speirs (Avonmore Navan RC); 3, R. Kennedy (Avonmore Navan) UCF Dave Kane Cycles TT League, Round 12 at Glenavy: 1, David McCann (Volksbank-Ideal) 20 mins 25 secs; 2, J. Dempsey (Classic Walls) 20.56; 3, T. McConville (Apollo) 21.54; 4, M. Greer (Maryland) 21.55; 5, C. Barry (Banbridge) 22.11; 6, H. Nowak (Avonmore Navan) POWER’S GOOD FORM CONTINUES: (By Shane Stokes June 19) Waterford professional Ciarán Power is continuing to perform impressively in world-ranked events, finishing third in the 36-rider sprint which decided the 3rd stage of the GP Cycliste de Beauce in Canada. Power, who was 20th in the hill-climb prologue, moved up to 5th overall and is now just 26 seconds behind Czech leader Lubor Tesar. Power has taken a healthy haul of UCI points this season and on current form looks likely to edge into the world’s top 400 riders before the end of the season. This would entitle him to line out in the world road race championships in Zolder, Belgium, this Autumn. KINNING BEST IN NPS ROUND 3: (By Shane Stokes June 18) Glen Kinning was clearly best at the end of the third round of this year’s National Points Series cross-country race in Ballinastoe Wood on Sunday. Competing in appalling weather, the XMTB rider rode well in slippery conditions to finish 1 minute and 52 seconds ahead of his team-mate Simon Loughlin, with Matt Dempsey (IMBRC) finishing 4 minutes 19 seconds back. An even bigger winning margin was seen in the Veteran’s race, when Knud Jensen (Sorrento CC) finished over 14 minutes clear of second-placed Geoff Copeland of Apollo CT. Lewis Ferguson (XMTB) took first in the Junior race, with Niall Davis (Mitch CC) winning the Sports event and Robert Lamont (XMTB) taking the Masters prize. Neil McGimpsey (XMTB), Chris Jensen (Sorrento CC) and Andy McCullough (XMTB) came first in the U12, U14 and U16 races. National Points Series round 3, Ballinastoe Woods: Expert: 1, Glenn Kinning (XMTB) 1 hour 43 mins 36 secs; 2, S. Loughlin (XMTB) at 1 min 52 secs; 3, M. Dempsey (IMBRC) at 4 mins 19 secs; 4, J. McCluskey (Mitch CC) at 10 mins 39 secs; 5, B. Nelson (IMBRC) at 17 mins 18 secs; 6, O. Gray (UCD) at 1 lap Junior: 1, Lewis Ferguson (XMTB); 2, G. Weston (IMBRC); 3, K. Quille (Newbridge); 4, D. Kearns (Newbridge) Sport: 1, Niall Davis (Mitch CC); 2, J. Popham (Fiat LCV Racing); 3, D. McGann (Mayo); 4, S. Galloway (Team WORC); 5, M. Harman (IMBRC); 6, P. Neville (St. Finbars) Masters: 1, Robert Lamont (XMTB); 2, K. Farrar (Team WORC); 3, D. Smith (Ravens); 4, A. Ryan (unattached); 5, P. Molloy (unattached); 6, P. Coyle (IMBRC) Veterans: 1, Knud Jenson (Sorrento); 2, G. Copeland (Apollo); 3, D. Wyse (Usher IRC); 4, K. Thomas (unattached) U16: 1, Andy McCullough (XMTB); 2, D. Quille (Newbridge); 3, M. Ferguson (XMTB); 4, B. Conway (IMBRC); 5, C. Bermingham (IMBRC); 6, B. Nolan (unattached). U14: Chris Jensen (Sorrento CC); 2, D. Gordon (XMTB); 3, G. Boyd (XMTB); 4, A. Cella (Newbridge); 5, H. Corr (IMBRC). U12: 1, Neil McGimpsey (XMTB); 2, C. Brown (XMTB); 3, W. Boyd (XMTB) LYNCH SECOND IN TOUR DES CANTONS: (By Shane Stokes June 17) VC La Pomme rider Denis Lynch continued his strong season with a fine second place finish in the general classification of the Tour Des Cantons De Mareuil-Verteillac-Nontron this weekend. The former Kanturk rider was fourth on the stage 2 13.5 kilometre time trial from Rudeau to Saint Sulpice de Mareuil, three seconds behind winner Pierre Bernard Vaillant (Jean Floc’h), then went on to place second on the final stage to Verteillac. Lynch came home 32 seconds behind Hayden Rouslton (Bressuire AC) and ended the two day race 41 seconds behind Jean Floc’h’s Fabien Fleury in the overall standings. Lynch, plus team-mates Mark Scanlon and Tommy Evans are due to travel back from their Marseilles base for the national road race championships at the end of this month.
The peloton did eventually peg back much of this advantage but were unable to get on terms with those up front before eventual stage winner Scott Sunderland (EDS Fakta) and four others raced clear. McCann’s group was joined by a chasing selection but he retained enough strength to finish well up in the sprint for 9th place, crossing the line 55 seconds behind the leading five in 12th position. The Belfastman ended the race 22nd overall and best of his Volksbank Ideal team, 10 minutes and 57 seconds behind winner Gerrit Glomser (Saeco) of Austria. Glomser had retaken the lead from his compatriot Hans-Peter Obwaller (Austrian National Team) by winning a three second time bonus during the stage, and managed to stave off any last-gasp efforts by Obwaller before the finish. EASTON BEST IN SEAN NOLAN MEATH GP: (By Shane Stokes June 14) Denis Easton (Totalcycling.com) showed his finishing speed at the end of the latest round of the Classic League, the Sean Nolan Meath G.P, outsprinting a number of riders including Stamullen M. Donnelly’s Craig Sweetman (2nd) and Usher IRC’s Paul Healion (3rd). Promising first year senior Tim Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand) was fourth. The start of the rain-lashed event had been changed to a later time due to Ireland’s World Cup match with Spain but this was further deferred when the contest went to a penalty shoot-out, resulting in a shortened race. Just two miles after the start Philip Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand), Martin O’Loughlin (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) and Stephen O’Sullivan (unattached) raced ahead of the drenched main bunch and opened up a solid lead, but the move lost some of its impetus when O’Sullivan later punctured. With 15 miles remaining in the race 8 other riders bridged across to the two leaders and combined to open up a minute’s lead over the main bunch, ensuring the group finish which resulted in Easton’s triumph. <See Pictures Here> <Read Ken Moloney's Diary Here> Meath Grand Prix: 1, Denis Easton (Totalcycling.com); 2, C. Sweetman (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 3, P. Healion (Usher IRC); 4, T. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand); 5, F. McCormack (Newbridge Cutlery CC); 6, A. Donnellon (Dublin Wheelers CC) Senior 2: Padraig Marrey (Western Lakes CC); 2, G. Loughnane (McNally Swords CC); 3, D. Nulty (Stamullen M. Donnelly); Senior 3/junior race: 1, Stephen Enright (Usher IRC); 2, N. Kelly (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 3, M. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand) First woman: Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) Underage: U/12: Niall Rock (McNally Swords); 2, P. Williams (Orchard Wheelers); 3, P. Lavery (Garda CC). U/14: 1, Simon Williams (Orchard Wheelers); 2, I. Speirs (Avonmore Navan); 3, G. McAdam (Emyvale McQuaid Tyres). U/16: 1, E. Morris (Usher IRC); 2, P. McMahon (Bray Wheelers CC); 3, A. Coyle (Shannonside CC) Kingdom Bar Trophy, Killorglin: (June 16) 1, Páidí O’Brien (Kanturk Credit Union) 2 hours 55 mins 7 secs; 2, M. Concannon (Killorglin CC); 3, T. Hardwicke (Killorglin CC) both same time; 4, R. Cahill (Banteer CC) at 51 secs; 5, T. Barry (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) same time; 6, P. Moriarty (Dublin Skip Hire) at 1 min 11 secs; 7, E. Concannon (Killorglin CC) at 1 min 18 secs; 8, G. Flaherty (St. Finbarr’s CC) same time Underage: u/12: Tina Walker (Killorglin CC); u/14: Jeremiah O’Sullivan (Killorglin CC); u/16: Michael Lucey (Killorglin CC) McCANN 24TH IN TOUR OF AUSTRIA: (By Shane Stokes June 16) With just one stage remaining in the 2.2 Bank Austria Tour, Irish road race champion David McCann is lying in 24th place. The Volksbank-Ideal professional is 10 minutes and 55 seconds behind Austrian National Team rider Hans Peter Obwaller, who took over the race lead yesterday. Obwaller went clear of his main rivals on the 1739 metre climb of the Tauernpass and finished second on the stage behind Hannes Hempel of Team Gericom Bikedrive, jumping one second ahead of race leader Gerrit Glomser (Saeco-Longoni Sport) in the overall standings. McCann was 23rd on the stage, finishing in the second group on the road some 3 minutes and 33 seconds behind Hempel and Obwaller, and alongside well-known Australian pro Scott Sunderland (EDS Fakta). The Bank Tour of Austria concludes today with a tough 200 kilometre stage from St. Michael/Lungau to Graz. TOP FIELD FOR NATIONAL CHAMPS: (By Shane Stokes June 14) The organisers of this year’s national road race championships have confirmed that a full line-up of the country’s top cyclists will travel home to contest the event this month. Double champion David McCann, FBD Milk Rás winner Ciarán Power and their fellow professionals David O’Loughlin and James Hodnett will all return from abroad for the hilly Stamullen race. The participation of former world junior champion Mark Scanlon and his VC La Pomme team-mates Tommy Evans and Denis Lynch were also confirmed at last night’s race launch in Swords, the trio returning from their base in Marseilles with the aim of taking the world ranking points on offer and the honour of wearing the champion’s jersey for the next 12 months. Also flying home from France is Geraldine Gill, who has hopes of taking an unprecedented fourth consecutive title in the women’s event. Her biggest opposition is likely to be Swiss-based Tarja Owens and Lorraine Manning, who has raced in the United States for most of this year. Both championship races will take place on Sunday June 30th. Whilst racing on the track in Sundrive Road is suspended at the moment due to resurfacing, the Cycling Ireland Track Commission are holding a workshop tomorrow at 11.30 in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, to outline plans for the 2003/2004 season. The talk will include presentations on nutrition, training and psychology. A mountain bike training day/workship will also be held tomorrow in Roundwood, and includes the prize presentation for the recent downhill national points series. Finally, one of Ireland’s best touring events takes place this Sunday with the 20th holding of the Wicklow 200 Classic. Regularly attracting large numbers of participants, those signing up this year will receive a special cycling jersey commemorating the anniversary of the IVCA event. There are two routes on offer on Sunday morning; the shorter, easier Wicklow Gap Challenge sees the riders cover a 60 mile course which takes in four climbs, including Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap. The full 126 mile route features a further seven peaks, Slieve Mann and a second ascent of Sally Gap amongst them, and is tough prospect for even the most experienced of riders. Further details are available from Dick O’Brien at 01 455 8216, by e-mail at w200@gofree.indigo.ie or at www.ivca.info. The Track Commission presents a Track Cycling Workshop: (June 12) This Saturday the Track Commission are holding a workshop about Track Cycling. The purpose is to outline the 2003/2004 season and it will include a number of presentations regarding preparation for competition - including nutrition, psychology and track-specific training. All riders interested in track cycling are welcome. The workshop will be held on Saturday, June 15th at 11:30am in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co. Meath. CROWLEY QUICKEST IN HARRY REYNOLDS MEMORIAL: (By Shane Stokes June 12) The Cycleways Lee Strand team netted a rare one-two at the end of the Harry Reynolds Memorial Race in Balrothery, with Aidan Crowley leading home team-mate Phil Finnegan at the end of the 31 mile event. The two, plus eventual third-placed rider Stephen O’Sullivan (unattached) went clear from the large main bunch with just one mile remaining, and at the line Crowley proved quickest of the three. A hard fought sprint also settled the minor placings for those in the main bunch, with McNally Swords rider Simon Whelan getting the better of Craig Sweetman (Stamullen M. Donnelly) in the tussle for fourth. Harry Reynolds Memorial race: 1, Aidan Crowley (Cycleways Lee Strand); 2, P. Finnegan (Cycleways Lee Strand); 3, S. O’Sullivan (Unattached); 4, S. Whelan (McNally Swords) at 10 secs; 5, C. Sweetman (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 6, G. Loughnane (McNally Swords CC); 7, C. Murphy (McQuaid Tyres Emyvale); 8, B. Taffe (Dublin Wheelers) 2nd category rider: Tim Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand); 3rd cat: Mark Nulty (Stamullen M. Donnelly); Junior: Colm Crawley (Balbriggan CC); Veteran: Phil Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand); Woman: Marica Attoressi (Cycleways Lee Strand ROSS QUICKEST IN NPS ROUND 3, BALLINASTOE WOOD: (By Shane Stokes June11) Colin Ross of the In Touch NS team was fastest in the third round of the National Points Series downhill races, held in Ballinastoe wood near Roundwood. Conditions were very difficult after heavy overnight rain but Ross managed to cover the distance in just under 2 minutes, thus winning the Elite event. Father and son combo Jamie and Peter Popham took a family double by winning the junior and veteran races. National Points Series Division, event 3, Ballinastoe: Elite: C. Ross (In Touch NS); 2, D. McMullen (Plush); 3, R. Rosengrave (Bray Downhill), Senior: 1, D. Callaghan (unattached); 2, S. Lennon (unattached); 3, G. Lucas (unattached), Junior: 1, J. Popham (Fiat LVC Racing); 2, N. Davies (Mitch CC); 3, T. Power (unattached), Veterans: 1, P. Popham (Fiat LCV Racing); 2, T. Clogher (TC Racing); 3, D. Cowen (Plush), Ladies: M. Mc Cartney (unattached), Masters: K. Young (unattached) Underage: U/14: 1, N.Wolfe (unattached); 2, R. Smith (Balbriggan CC); 3, C. McConvey (XMTB); U/16: 1, D. Quinn (Newbridge CC); 2, N. Egan (Mitch CC); 3, S. Mangan (Plush)
Next home was FBD Milk Rás stage winner Phil Cassidy, who out-sprinted fellow breakaway partners Denis Easton and Jonathan Dempsey to take second, while Conor Murphy left the chasing group and overhauled crash victim Andrew Donnellon (Dublin Wheelers) before the finish to take fifth. Noel Taggart Memorial, Banbridge: 1, Tommy Evans (VC La Pomme) 80 miles in 3 hours 12 mins 9 secs; 2, P. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand) at 2 mins 47 secs; 3, D. Easton (Total Cycling.com) same time; 4, J. Dempsey (Classic Walls) at 2 mins 52 secs; 5, C. Murphy (McQuaid Tyres Emyvale) at 2 mins 54 secs; 6, A. Donnellon (Dublin Wheelers) at 3 mins 3 secs; 7, P. Kane (Northern Dave Kane Cycles) at 3 mins 18 secs; 8, P. Duignan (Totalcycling.com); 9, D. Gardiner (Apollo CRT); 10, K. Sloan (Ards CC) all same time Senior 2: 1, Jim McConnell (Kings Moss) 57 miles in 2 hours 27 mins 49 secs; 2, E. Crory (Newry Haldane Fisher) at 4 mins 46 secs; 3, J. Bell (Classic Walls); 4, S. Gray (Harps CC); 5, P. Brady (McQuaid Fireplace B Race, 56.5m.: 1, Jim McConnell (Kings Moss) 2.27.49; 2, E. Crory (Newry Haldane Fisher) at 4.46; 3, J. Bell (Classic Walls); 4, S. Gray (Harps CC); 5, P. Brady (McQuaid Tyres Emyvale); 6, M. McCann (Team Madigan) all same time. U.16: 1, David Watson (Northern Dave Kane Cycles); 2, D. Dunlop (Lakeland CC); 3, A. Petrie-Armstrong (Northern Dave Kane). U./14: 1, Isaac Speers (Navan Avonmore RC); 2, T. Martin (Clann Eireann); 3, G. McAdam (McQuaid Tyres Emyvale). U.12: 1, Peter Williams (Orchard Whs.); 2, C. Brown (XMTB); 3, N. McGimpsey (XMTB). Bank of Ireland Thomas Sheehan Memorial, Carrick on Suir: 1, John O’Shea (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); 2, B. Kenneally (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); 3, R. Cahill (Banteer CC); 4, T. Barry (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); 5, L. Doumonin (France); 6, V. Gleeson (West Clare CC); 7, S. O’Sullivan (unattached); 8, K. McMahon (Earl of Desmond CC). 3rd Cats, Juniors.Vets: 1, Michael Concannon (Killorglin); 2, C. Smyth (Auto View CC); 3, C. Bartley (Fermoy CC). First veteran: Sean McIlroy (Cidona Carrick Wheelers). Underage - under 12: A. Lynch (Kanturk); under 14: C. Enright (Katurk CC); under 16: A. O’Shea (Killorglin CC)
The action began right from the start of the hilly 60 mile event when a six man breakaway group raced ahead of a coasting bunch. Present were Phil Lee (St. Tiernans), Alan Lane (UCD), John Dorris (Sorrento CC), Thomas Lavery (Usher IRC), Denis McCarthy (Garda Motorway) and Loughnane, yet despite opening up a lead of over half a minute, these were reeled in shortly after the start of the second lap. From that point onwards a similar pattern unfurled; small groups went clear but were hauled back soon afterwards, resulting in an unexpected group sprint at the end of this tough race. <See Pictures Here> Kevin McInerney Memorial, Dunlavin: 1, Brian Taafe (Dublin Wheelers) 60 miles in 2 hours 31 mins 45 secs; 2, G. Loughnane (McNally Swords); 3, Terry McManus (Finglas Ravens); 4, P. O’Brien (Kanturk); 5, F. Kelly (Bray Wheelers); 6, D. Nulty (Stamullen M. Donnelly). 3rd cat: Noel Kelly (Stamullen M. Donnelly); junior: Colm Crawley (Balbriggan); veteran: Terry Ferris (Dublin Wheelers); woman: Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) Underage: Under 12 girls: 1, Chloe Farrell (Hillcrest Hire Kilcullen); 2, L. McKenna (Balbriggan); 3, C. Crawley (Balbriggan); under 14: 1, Aaron Henry (Usher IRC); 2, Des Ward (Usher IRC); 3, C. Enright (Usher IRC); 4, N. Rock (McNally Swords); 5, L. Rawlins (Usher IRC); under 16: 1, Mark Nestor (Shannonside); 2, S. McKenna (Balbriggan); 3, U. Monks (Bray Wheelers); 4, E. Morris (Usher IRC); 5, C. Cassidy (Usher IRC); 6, S. Reynolds (Staggs Lucan) POWER SETS UP TEAM-MATE FOR PRESTIGIOUS WIN: (By Shane Stokes June 9) Irish professional Ciarán Power’s efforts to ride for his Navigators squad in the US Pro Championships in Philadelphia paid off when his team-mate Mark Walters won the prestigious contest. Power was one of four Navigators riders who made it into the front group after the race fragmented during the 156 mile race, and rode hard to set up the Canadian rider for an impressive victory. US Postal rider Chann McRae was second across the line and as first American rider home, he has earned the right to wear the champion’s jersey for the next year. Power ultimately placed 39th, 3 minutes and 8 seconds back, while Mayo rider David O’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi Sports) finished five places and 34 seconds ahead. His team-mate James Hodnett finished in the main bunch. Meanwhile, moutain bike rider Beth McCluskey was a fine third in the latest round of the British National Points Series, in Checkendon. She had previously taken two fifth places and is highly placed in the overall standings.
The Limerick man was part of a six man breakaway group which was formed after Tom Hughes (Stamullen M. Donnelly), Tim Ahern (UCD) and Tim Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand) went clear at the 25 mile mark. Hedderman, Dave Smith (Fig Roll Naas) and Hillcrest’s Sean Farrell bridged across to these three and the six leading riders combined well to open out a lead of one minute and ten seconds by the finish. Here Hedderman showed his finishing kick to pip Smyth and Hughes for the win, showing he has come into good form after last month’s FBD Milk Rás. John McCormack Memorial: 1, Adrian Hedderman (Cycleways Lee Strand) 44 miles in 1 hour 49 mins 50 secs; 2, D. Smyth (Fig Rolls Naas CC); 3, T. Hughes (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 4, S. Farrell (Hillcrest Hire Kilcullen); 5, T. Ahern (UCD); 6, T. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand). First lady: Roisin Kennedy (Usher IRC); First Senior 3: Pat Byrne (Dublin Wheelers); First junior: James Lawless (Usher IRC); First veteran: Phil Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand)
Although the two were reabsorbed inside the final kilometre of the race, Power’s finishing sprint was enough to carry him over the line in 4th position and thus land another 27 UCI ranking points. The race was won by Canadian Gord Fraser (Mercury), with Power’s Navigators team-mate Oleg Griskine taking the runner-up spot. Power has now accumulated 104 ranking points, his highest total since turning professional in 2000. The First Union series climaxes on Sunday with the US Pro Championships in Philadelphia. First Union Classic: 1, Gord Fraser (Mercury); 2, O. Griskine (Navigators); 3, W. Van Speybrock (Lotto Adecco); 4, C. Power (Navigators); 5, T. Boonen (US Postal); 6, R. Ventura (US Postal) 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. <Read More Here> MANNING TAKES FOURTH ROUND OF ALL CABLES LEAGUE: (By Shane Stokes June 6) US based professional Lorraine Manning proved best at the end of the fourth round of the All Cables Women’s league at the Boot Inn. Home on a break from racing with her Atlanta Velo team, Manning outsprinted Kate Rudd (North Tipperary Wheelers) and Elsa Connaughton (Cycleways) to win the flat three-lap race, with Grace McNally (McNally Swords) taking fourth. Rudd is the league leader with 39 points, narrowly ahead of Cycleways rider Marica Attoressi and McNally. The next round of the league will be held at the same venue next Wednesday night 12th of June. All Cables League round 4, Boot Inn: 1, Lorraine Manning (Atlanta Velo Litespeed) 38 mins 3 secs; 2, K. Rudd (North Tipperary Wheelers); 3, E. Connaughton (Cycleways); 4, G. McNally (McNally Swords); 5, M. Attoressi (Cycleways); 6, C. Moore (Usher IRC); 7, R. Kennedy (Usher IRC); 8, O. Coady (Usher IRC) all same time. League standings: 1, Rudd 39 points; 2, Attoressi 38; 3, McNally 37; 4, Connaughton 35; 5, Kennedy 33; 6, Coady 28
The First Union Invitational was won by Lance Armstrong’s US Postal team-mate David Clinger. First Union Invitational: 1, David Clinger (US Postal Service) 147 kilometres in 3 hours 18 mins 52 secs; 2, Chris Wherry (Mercury) at 16 secs; 3, T. Leaper (Navigators) at 1 min 40 secs; 4, O. Grichkine (Navigators) at 1 min 59 secs. Other: 29, David O’Loughlin (Ofoto-Lombardi Sports) same Roche Wins Dunboyne: (By Shane Stokes June 2) Former continental professional Laurence Roche today successfully held on to the yellow jersey in the Dunboyne 3 day race, taking the event by 9 seconds from Kilorglin rider Barry Woods. The two were part of a ten-man breakaway group which went clear in the opening miles of the final 75 mile stage and worked well together to fend off the efforts of the chasing bunch. The stage was settled in a sprint which saw Team Ireland junior Theo Hardwick out-gallop Tom Fanning of the IMBRC team, but with Roche finishing safely in the same time, he took his biggest win in several years. ‘It was going to be hard to defend the jersey so I decided that the best way to do it would be to attack’, he said afterwards. ‘A group went clear at the start and once I saw that Sean Bracken was in it, I knew that was the move to go with, as Sean always gets the riders to work well together. I was able to get across to the group and from there we all rode hard together.'
Back racing after two years off, he has plans to build towards some bigger goals this season. 'I am trying to get back into decent shape as I have plans to ride the track this year. I lost half a stone during the Rás but am still a stone and a half over the weight I was when I rode the Tour de France, so I will have to get that down a bit more. It isn’t quite as crucial when you are riding the track – there are no hills to worry about – but carrying a bit extra affects your breathing.’ Roche did a lot of track racing in Ireland as an amateur and still holds many records. ‘A lot of them are still there, surprisingly’, he smiles. ‘I thought somebody would have taken them away by now but they are still in my name. One of them involved doing 220 laps of the track – it was the 100 kilometre time trial, that was a tough one! I always liked doing the track and it will be good to get back to it….the type of training needed will suit me as I don’t have a whole lot of spare time with work.’ ‘To tell you the truth, I have no idea how it will go. I plan to spend some time over the next few months in the velodrome in Manchester. I could get over there and decide that a return (to track racing) is not for me, but hopefully things will work out well. I’ll give it a shot and see how things work out.’ <Read Ken Moloney's Diary Here> Dunboyne 3 day stage 4: 1, Theo Hardwick (Team Ireland) 75 miles in 2 hours 56 mins 28 secs; 2, T. Fanning (IMBRC); 3, B. Woods (Killorglin); 4, J. Lally (McNally Swords); 5, S. Bracken (Usher IRC); 6, P. Doyle (Fermoy); 7, L. Roche (BH Raleigh); 8, S. Gibson (Orwell Wheelers) all same time Final overall: 1, Roche 7 hours 49 mins 40 secs; 2, Woods at 9 secs; 3, Bracken at 22 secs; 4, Hardwick, same time; 5, Lally at 36 secs; 6, Doyle at 38 secs; 7, P. Deignan (TotalCycling.com) at 1 min 1 sec; 8, Gibson at 1 min 16 secs
ROCHE REMAINS IN YELLOW: (By Shane Stokes June 2) Stage one winner Laurence Roche continues to hold the lead in the Dunboyne 3 day race with just one leg remaining tomorrow. Roche rode solidly in this morning’s 3.6 mile time trial to record a time of 6 mins 44 seconds, just 20 seconds off the winning time set by Killorglin rider Barry Woods, then defended the lead well in the 60 mile afternoon race. Finglas Ravens rider Anto Moran made a brave effort to win the stage, racing clear on the final 13 mile lap, but was reeled in by the main bunch within sight of the finish at Dunboyne. Stamullen M. Donnelly rider Peter Sharkey then took the mass sprint ahead of Team Ireland’s Theo Hardwick and Seamus Kennedy (Navan Avonmore), with Roche coming home in the midst of the bunch. He has a 9 second lead over Woods going into tomorrow’s concluding 75 mile stage. Meanwhile Obelisk Wheelers’ Albert Murtagh is in control after two stages of the IVCA Usher 2 day at the Black Bull venue. Race sponsor Mick Usher (Usher IRC) took the opening 10 mile time trial but Murtagh seized the lead when he won the second stage, a 36 mile handicapped road race. He is over a minute clear of his closest challenger with just tomorrow’s leg remaining.
Stage 3: Peter Sharkey (Stamullen) 2 hours 13 mins 26 secs; 2, T. Hardwick (Team Ireland); 3, S. Kennedy (Navan Avonmore); 4, P. Lee (St. Tiernans); 5, S. Connaughton (Cycleways Lee Strand); 6, G. Spencely (Lakes CC) all same time Overall: 1, Roche 4 hours 53 mins 12 secs; 2, Woods at 9 secs; 3, P. Deignan (TotalCycling.com) at 17; 4, Bracken at 22; 5, Hardwick same time; 6, P. Teahan (Naas Fig Rolls) at 30 secs IVCA Usher 2 day, Black Bull: Stage 1: 1, Mick Usher (Usher IRC) 10 mile TT in 23 mins 59 secs; 2, E. Malone (Garda Motorway) 24 mins 11 secs; 3, J. Hyland (Usher IRC) 24 mins 27 secs; 4, L. Keenan (Orwell Wheelers) 24 mins 37 secs; 5, D. Dodd (Bray Wheelers) 24 mins 38 secs; 6, H. Davis (Usher IRC) 24 mins 50 secs Stage 2: 1, Albert Murtagh (Obelisk Wheelers) 36 miles in 1 hour 41 mins 21 secs; 2, P. McInerney (Dublin Wheelers); 3, P. Fitzsimons (Navan Avonmore) both same time; 4, S. Lally (McNally Swords) at 2 mins 10 secs; 5, T. Murphy (Monaghan) at 2 mins 17 secs; 6, Keenan at 2 mins 19 secs Overall: 1, Murtagh 2 hours 6 mins 57 secs; 2, Hyland at 1 min 10 secs; 3, Keenan at 1 min 20 secs; 4, Lally at 1 min 40 secs; 5, Davis same time; 6, P. Schweppe (Orwell Wheelers) at 1 min 54 secs
The race continues tomorrow with a 3.6 mile time trial and an afternoon road race. Results: 1, Laurence Roche (BH Raleigh) 64 miles in 2 hours 33 mins 22 secs; 2, P. Deignan (TotalCycling.com) at 3 secs; 3, D. Brennan (Castlebar Wheelers) at 5 secs; 4, T. McManus (Finglas Ravens) at 9 secs; 5, T. Hardwick (Team Ireland); 6, P. Teahan (Naas Fig Roll) both same time POWER LOOKS AHEAD: (By Shane Stokes May 30) Morale boosted by his first professional victory in the FBD Milk Rás, Ciarán Power has returned to New Jersey to begin a battery of tough races with his Navigators pro team. First up is the prestigious First Union series, a trio of events which begin on the 4th of June and climax 5 days later with the open US Pro Championships. Power will then contest the Tour de Beauce in Quebec (June 17-23) before returning home for the Irish road race championships in Stamullen.
|
Gold
for Scanlon: 
Grinning
broadly and congratulated by many in the crowd, Scanlon was pleased to win. ‘Myself
and Ciarán were out there all day and it is good to get the result after that’,
he said. ‘Tommy was in a bit of difficulty the last time up the climb but once
he got back up to us I thought that I had a good chance, as there were the two
of us against Power. It took him a bit of time to get back up to me after the
big hill, so I knew he was getting tired, and while he was able to bring us back
a few times when we attacked him, I eventually got clear.’
National
Road Race championships, Stamullen: 1, Mark Scanlon (VC La Pomme) 96
miles in 3 hours 49 mins 1 sec; 2, C. Power (Navigators) at 1 min 17 secs; 3, T.
Evans (VC La Pomme) same time; 4, D. McCann (Volksbank-Ideal) at 3 mins 7 secs;
5, A. Donnellan (Dublin Wheelers) at 4 mins 6 secs; 6, D. Lynch (VC La Pomme)
same time; 7, R. Cahill (Banteer) at 5 mins 57 secs; 8, M. O’Loughlin (Cidona
Carrick) at 6 mins 55 secs; 9, P. Finnegan (Cycleways Lee Strand); 10, D.
Gardiner (Apollo CC); 11, P. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand); 12, R. Wiley (www.sdeals.com);
13, B. Doherty (Totalcycling.com) all same time; 14, M. O’Donnell (VC
Quimperois) at 7 mins 36 secs; 15, P. Griffin (Earl of Desmond) at 10 mins 53
secs
GILL
LANDS RECORD FOURTH TITLE: (By
‘It is great to get a fourth win’, said a
clearly delighted Gill afterwards. ‘Everything went to plan, I wanted to get
clear early on and make a real race of it, as there was little point in me
staying in the group and being marked. Going into the race I saw Lorraine
(Manning) as the one to watch as she has done a lot of good races this year. She
had a couple of goes in the first mile or two but I was able to get up to her
ok, and then I jumped on the hill and got a bit of a gap. She got back up to me
but then I kicked again, and that was enough to get me clear.’
McCann covered the distance in 56 minutes and 32
seconds, with US-based professional David O’Loughlin securing silver in a time
of 59 minutes and 33 seconds. Dublin Wheelers rider Andrew Donnellan continued
his strong showing this year with a fine ride, taking the bronze medal in 1 hour
and 28 seconds. Philip Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand), Paul Healion (Usher IRC)
and Tom Hughes (Stamullen M. Donnelly) completed the top six placings.
THOMAS
TAKES HIS BIGGEST WIN:
CROWLEY
WINS LEINSTER CHAMPS: (By
McCANN
RIDES SOLIDLY IN TOUR OF AUSTRIA: (By
Taafe
Takes Kevin McInerney Memorial:
HEDDERMAN
TAKES JOHN MCCORMACK MEMORIAL: (By
More
World Ranking Points for Impressive Power
Roche
has come out of the FBD Milk Rás with good legs, and decided to make the most
of that form. ‘I had decided to do the Dunboyne back around the time of the
Tour of Ulster’, he said. ‘I felt pretty good after the Rás – I got it
hard during the race, but didn’t really feel that tired afterwards. I then
took it easy for the week and did nothing on the bike until Friday, when I went
out for half an hour. I ended up feeling pretty good this weekend.’
Dunboyne
3 day: Stage 2: Barry Woods (Killorglin) 3.6 mile TT in 6 mins 24 secs;
2, K. Smith (Autoview) 6 mins 31 secs; 3, M. Colbert (Deeside Tyle Choice) 6
mins 34 secs; 4, A. Hammond (Orwell) 6 mins 36 secs; 5, S. Bracken (Usher IRC) 6
mins 37 secs
Roche
wins stage one in Dunboyne:
IRISH
RIDER POWERS TO RAS WIN:
(By