IrishCycling.Com

CYCLING IRELAND REPLIES TO WORLD’S DEBATE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 30) The IrishCycling.com message board has been buzzing in recent weeks as the countdown to the world championships continued. The selection of riders, the size of the squads and the number of officials have all been hot topics on the forum, with some postings being critical of Cycling Ireland. Read Full Interview Here....

SEYMOUR, MCCAULEY WIN AGAIN: (By Shane Stokes Sep 30) Robin Seymour and Jenny McCauley repeated their victories in the elite races at yesterday’s final round of the Cycling Ireland national league in Rostrevor, taking the maximum points on offer in the E2 world-ranked race. The result echoed their wins in last Sunday’s Pog Challenge near Roundwood, which was also an E2 event.

As was the case a week ago, the world ranking points on offer attracted a number of riders from abroad. The good turnout and the new course ensured the race was a big success, with many riders giving the thumbs up afterwards to the circuit which incorporated long steep climbs and tricky technical descents.

Seymour made his move on the second lap, riding hard to distance the rest of the field and steadily building his lead from that point on. He finished almost six minutes clear of English rider Adrian Lansley (Pedalon.co.uk) with the Trek UK rider Phil Dixon a further 48 seconds behind. Fourth place went to Sorrento’s Thomas Jensen, the sixteen year old showing his promise once more after a strong ride in the Outsider Magazine Pog Challenge. Team WORC’s Peter Buggle rode well to take fifth, with Scottish rider Chris Cole (Midlothain RT) in sixth.

Jenny McCauley had little problems in winning the women’s event, ending the race 4 minutes and 55 seconds clear of Israel’s Laurie Copans. Tarja Owens is still feeling the effects of her collarbone injury but put in another brave effort to take 3rd, and earn some more valuable UCI world ranking points.

There was also a notable ride in the Junior race, where Sorrento CC’s Barry Nolan finished nine and a half minutes clear of XMTB’s Andrew McCullough.

Elite men: 1, Robin Seymour (Team Worc) 1 hour 58 mins 8 secs; 2, A. Lansley (Pedalon.co.uk) at 5 mins 52 secs; 3, P. Dixon (Trek UK) at 6 mins 40 secs; 4, T. Jensen (Sorrento CC) at 7 mins 25 secs; 5, P. Buggle (Team Worc) at 12 mins 8 secs; 6, C. Cole (Midlothain RT) at 14 mins 29 secs; 7, G. Kinning (XMTB) at 16 mins 25 secs; 8, P. Cooper (Blue Sky Cycles) at 16 mins 32 secs; 9, J. McCluskey (Team Worc) at 1 lap; 10, L. Ferguson (XMTB); 11, J. McCall (Team Worc); 12, D. King Smith (Team Worc); 13, M. Kenny (Team Worc); 14, T. Edgar (XMTB) all at 1 lap

Elite women: 1, Jenny Brennan McCauley (Bray Wheelers) 1 hour 49 mins 4 secs; 2, L. Copans (Specialized Israel) at 4 mins 55 secs; 3, T. Owens (Team Worc) at 8 mins 56 s

Masters: 1, Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers) 1 hour 38 mins 28 secs; 2, R. Lamont (XMTB) at 1 min 39 secs; 3, P. Anderson (Banbridge CC) at 9 mins 39 secs; 4, M. O’Hagan (Newry Wheelers) at 1 lap; 5, A. Wallace (Northern CC); 6, H. Hubmann (unattached) both at 1 lap

Veterans: 1, William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) 1 hour 19 mins 55 secs; 2, K. Jensen (Sorrento CC) at 3 mins 29 secs; 3, J. McCabe (Cuchulainn CC) at 5 mins 52 secs; 4, B. McGimpsey (XMTB) at 1 lap; 5, K. Thomas (Sorrento CC); 6, D. McCabe (unattached) both at 1 lap

Junior: 1, Barry Nolan (Sorrento CC) 1 hour 35 mins 34 secs; 2, A. McCullough (XMTB) at 9 mins 27 secs; 3, K. Byrne (Newry Wheelers) at 20 mins 13 secs; 4, S. Curran (Banbridge CC) at 26 mins 34 secs

Sports: 1, Stuart Galloway (Team Worc) 1 hour 58 mins 52 secs; 2, G. McCrory (Team Madigan) at 1 min 34 secs; 3, R. McMahon (unattached) at 4 mins 43 secs; 4, J. Oram (unattached) at 10 mins 27 secs; 5, D. McGann (unattached) at 17 mins 38 secs

Underage: Under 10: 1, Robbie Lamont (XMTB) 13 minutes 17 seconds; 2, M. Runnciman (Banbridge CC) at 8 secs; 3, D. Runnciman (Banbridge CC) at 2 mins 32 secs; 4, C. Oakley (XMTB) at 3 mins 53 secs; 5, C. Oakely (XMTB) at 1 lap; 6, J. Curry (unattached) at 1 lap

Under 12: 1, Jonathan Beers (XMTB) 15 mins 33 secs; 2, M. Gordon (XMTB) at 50 secs; 3, W. Boyd (XMTB) at 1 min 3 secs; 4, J. Laird (XMTB) at 2 mins 10 secs

Under 14: 1, Christopher Jensen (Sorrento CC) 26 mins 39 secs; 2, C. Brown (XMTB) at 1 min 12 secs; 3, N. McGimpsey (XMTB) at 1 min 20 secs; 4, N. McCormick (Banbridge CC) at 1 min 21 secs; 5, G. Boyd (XMTB) at 2 mins 4 secs; 6, A. Gidfery (XMTB) at 3 mins 56 secs

Under 16: 1, Connor McConvey (XMTB) 57 mins 35 secs; 2, M. Ferguson (XMTB) at 5 mins 5 secs; 3, E. Sheridan (MOB CC) at 13 mins 32 secs; 4, S. Kennedy (unattached) at 28 mins 10 secs

O’SULLIVAN WINS IRISH CRITERIUM CHAMPIONSHIPS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 28) Stephen O’Sullivan followed up on his 2002 silver medal by taking a fine win in today’s Irish national criterium championships in Cork. The Cycleways Lee Strand rider outsprinted Timmy Barry (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) in their two-up gallop to the line, having broken clear of the rest of the field in the closing stages of the hour-long race. Bronze went to Earl of Desmond rider Paul Griffin.

Former champion Paul Healion broke away in the early stages of the race and built up a good lead, with the speed behind causing the main bunch to split into three groups. The Usher IRC cyclist was hauled back, but shortly afterwards Barry jumped clear and rode strongly around the flat two kilometre Monaghan Road circuit to build a twelve second advantage. It looked for a time that Barry was on course for a fine win, but O’Sullivan jumped clear of the bunch and succeeded in bridging the gap. The two riders joined forces to preserve their lead over those chasing behind, before O’Sullivan got the edge on Barry in the finishing sprint.

The chasing group came home a further twelve seconds later with Paul Griffin outsprinting the impressive junior rider Barry Woods (Killorglin Credit Union), Healion and Mark Kiernan (Totalcycling.com) to take bronze.

‘It was a very good race’, said organiser John O’Mahony of the promoting St. Finbarr’s club afterwards. ‘We used the old Monaghan Road circuit which for years was home to the Examiner Cup. It is totally flat and has nicely curving bends which keep the speed high. It looked for a while that Timmy Barry was going to win, but Stephen O’Sullivan was very strong in getting across and then taking the sprint.’

‘We were very happy with how the day went. Cork is the European City of Culture in 2005 and we are hoping to put on a very significant event for that. We would also like to revive the Examiner Cup and have had discussions with the local Gardaí and the Examiner newspaper about those plans.’

All Ireland Criterium Championships, Cork (1 hour plus 5 laps): 1, Stephen 0’Sullivan (Cycleways Lee Strand); 2, T. Barry (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) both same time; 3, P. Griffin (Earl of Desmond) at 12 seconds; 4, B. Woods (Killorglin Credit Union); 5, P. Healion (North Kildare CC); 6, M. Kiernan (Totalcycling.com) all same time

Underage races (non-championship): Under 12: 1, Sean Doona (Killorglin Credit Union); 2, C. Corcoran (Killorglin CU); 3, D. Rice (Killorglin CU)

McCANN, JENNINGS FOR WORLDS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 28) David McCann and Sinead Jennings today secured their places at the world championships in Hamilton, Canada, when they won their events at the time trial selection race held in Ballyboghal, North County Dublin. McCann started strongly to lead David O’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi) by sixteen seconds at the end of the first of two laps of the tough Noel Hammond memorial circuit, and then accelerated over the second 20 kilometre loop to finish 52 seconds clear. Andy Roche (Maestro Nella) was 22 seconds adrift of McCann at the halfway point and slipped to one minute 13 seconds behind the Team Endurasport rider by the finish. See Pictures Here...

The women’s race saw a highly impressive ride by newcomer Sinead Jennings, who beat Siobhan Jacobs (Usher IRC) by one minute and two seconds and Phoenix CC’s Cheryl Fisher by a further eight seconds in their 20 kilometre time trial. Jennings won gold in the world rowing championships two years ago in the lightweight single sculls category, but recently returned to cycling after a long absence because the rowing season was at an end.

‘I had a couple of weeks scheduled to take off and decided to get back out on the bike to keep in shape’, she said. ‘To tell you the truth, I only really started cycling training about ten days ago, and so I am absolutely delighted with today’s result.’

‘I was hoping to win today but didn’t know how it would turn out. It is hard for me to pace myself, as rowing events are seven minutes in length while today’s was quite a bit longer. I went out a bit hard but then backed off a bit in the middle section before going for it toward the end. It worked out well and I am very happy.’

As a result of her efforts Jennings has booked her place in Canada, where she will take part in both the time trial and the road race. Although she will have quite a bit less experience than the other women there, her strong showing today proves that she has a very impressive engine and so she is hoping to fare respectably on the tough course in Hamilton. ‘My climbing is okay, so that will be a help…I race lightweight in the rowing and so make sure to keep my weight below nine stone for that. It will be interesting to see how I get on.’

‘I am not sure where my cycling will go from here. I will wait and see how I get on in Canada before deciding what my future direction will be. I was actually due to start back training for rowing tomorrow, but that is obviously going to be affected now! My big priority is to try to qualify a boat for the Olympics – I missed out this summer at the world championships but there is another chance next year, if I am in the first or second (fastest) boats at the Olympic qualifying regatta in Lucerne. The thing is, there a quite a few rowers who use the bike to supplement their training, including the German heavyweight world champion from last year. Rowing uses the arms and back but also the thigh muscles, and so the two sports complement each other.’

David McCann’s fast ride today also booked his passage to Hamilton, where he will line out in the elite men’s time trial. McCann was up against good riders today such as the national TT champion David O’Loughlin and Tommy Evans, who is expected to be named as the new national record holder for ten miles once his 19 minutes 23 seconds effort is ratified by Cycling Ireland.

As it turned out, O’Loughlin raced to second place, 52 seconds in arrears, but Evans failed to shine in the test. He was 4 minutes and 15 seconds off the pace today, his preparation and performance affected by knee trouble.

As expected McCann was delighted with his ride, even if he found the course to be very testing. ‘It was a horrible course’ he said, with a smile. ‘I hope Canada is not going to be like that. It was up and down, twisting and turning throughout and so it was very hard to get into a good rhythm.’

‘I was eighteenth in the Championship of Flanders last week so I knew I was in good form coming into today’s race, but I didn’t know what to expect. I haven’t raced against the other guys in a long time so had no idea how I would compare. Tommy (Evans) has been struggling a bit lately with a knee injury, but did do a great ride in the ten-mile time trial earlier this month.’

McCann has been racing this year with the Team Endurasport pro squad. His programme is now finished, so he will concentrate his efforts on honing his form before the worlds time trial. ‘I have just finished my season with the team – we were doing a a lot of very hard races in Belgium lately’, he said. ‘I plan to do my own thing from now as there are no more races left…a lot of time trial training, basically, to get ready. My goal would be to qualify the country for the Olympics at the world championships. The top fifteen nations get to Athens… a few riders from the same countries will be taking part so that means I can be a bit further back in the individual standings, but it will still be very tough. Hopefully it will work out well.’

World championship qualifying time trial, Ballyboughal. Elite men: 1, David McCann (Team Endurasport) 40 kilometres in 51 mins 38.97 secs; 2, David 0’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi Sports) at 52.06 secs; 3, Andrew Roche (Maestro Nella) at 1 min 13.52 secs; 4, Paul Healion (Usher IRC) at 3 mins 30.28 secs; 5, Tommy Evans (TotalCycling.com Lindsay Ford) at 4 mins 15.32 secs; 6, Simon Coughlan (Dunamond Dynamos) at 7 mins 3.8 secs; 7, John Wall (North Kildare) at 8 mins 11.06 secs

Elite women: 1, Sinead Jennings (Unattached) 20 kilometres in 31 mins 29.18 secs; 2, Sobhan Jacob (Usher IRC) at 1 min 2.44 secs; 3, Cheryl Fisher (Phoenix CC) at 1 min 10.65 secs; 4, Karen Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers) at 1 min 22.61 secs; 5, Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) at 1 min 44.96 secs; 6, Trudy Brown, (Northern CC) at 3 mins 23.89 secs; 7, Kate Rudd (Orwell Wheelers) at 3 mins 34.19 secs; 8, Aileen Roche (unattached) at 12 mins 12.51 secs

KNEE SURGERY FOR EVANS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 28) Tommy Evan’s below-par performance in yesterday’s world championship qualification time trial was a surprise to many. It emerged after the race, however, that the Totalcycling.com rider is due to go for knee surgery in early October to correct the after-effects of a crash earlier this year.

‘I broke my kneecap in April when my forks snapped during a race and I landed on it’, he explained. ‘I only discovered the extent of the damage three weeks ago after getting MRI’s and X-Rays. I have a large chip at the left hand corner which must be removed…they have to unattach the muscles and then reattach them to my kneecap…that should be fun!’

Given the nature of the problem, Evans has had some remarkable rides this season. One month after that crash he won the opening stage of the 2.5 ranked FBD Milk Rás and held yellow for several days. He took a string of victories in Irish domestic competition and then rode a superb time trial at the recent Jim Traynor memorial, recording 19 minutes and 23 seconds for the distance. Once ratified, this will improve on David McCann’s 2001 Irish record by 15 seconds, putting Evans back into the history books.

Evans will undergo surgery in early October and expects to be out of action for ten weeks.

RIDERS TO BATTLE TOMORROW FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RIDE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 26) Ireland’s top time triallists will clash tomorrow in a bid to win selection for next month's world championships in Hamilton, Canada. One place is up for grabs in both the men and women’s elite time trials and the fastest over tomorrow’s course in Ballyboughil, North County Dublin, will win a place on the squad. The women’s event starts at 10.31 and is over one lap of the circuit, approximately 20 kilometres in length, while the men’s test takes place over two laps.

Tommy Evan’s recent 19 minutes and 23 seconds should, once ratified, mark a new Irish record for the distance and so the Totalcycling.com rider is clearly in excellent condition. David McCann is the current record holder and has been training hard for tomorrow’s race, as has the Irish time trial champion David O’Loughlin. O’Loughlin had believed his victory in July was enough to guarantee him a ride at the worlds, but was subsequently told that he would have to win the qualification event.

In addition to the place available for the time trial, a strong showing tomorrow may also secure a start in the elite women’s road race. ‘We have accredited all the likely women for the road race too’, said Cycling Ireland’s CEO Stuart Hallam. ‘We will decide whether a girl rides dependent on who wins tomorrow and their aptitude for a hilly road race.’

TQ SET TO BE BIGGEST EVER: (By Shane Stokes Sep 26) Next weekend’s TQ Paper International is set to be the biggest in the history of the event, with an impressive field of 70 riders signed up for the two-day women’s race. Taking place in North County Dublin, the three-stage contest will see riders travel from as far afield as the Netherlands and Germany, with a large UK contingent also heading over to compete.

The Dutch Moving Ladies Groenewoud team have raced to success in the last two editions of the race, and while their double winner Esther Van Der Helm is not expected to attend this time, riders Sharon Van Essen, Inge Klep and Judith Helmink have all ridden well in the past. Van Essen was fourth last year, Klep took fifth overall plus a stage win, while Helmink was sixth overall in 2001. There is also a second Dutch squad, with four riders lining out in the colours of the District Noord-Holland team.

‘This is by far the biggest turnout for the race’, said entries co-ordinator and chief marshal Brian Carolan. ‘We are delighted with the number and quality of the field.’

In response to the strong international challenge, the selectors have picked good Irish and Leinster teams. The national side comprises Louise Moriarty, Collette Swift, Kate Rudd, Karen Bothwell, Marie O’Reilly and Gillian McDarby. The Leinster squad is also strong, with women’s league winner Siobhan Jacobs, Roisin Kennedy, Beth McCluskey, Orla Hendron, Susan O’Mara and former world rowing champion Sinead Jennings all confirmed.

IRISH TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 22) Cycling Ireland has confirmed that Ag2r professional Mark Scanlon will spearhead the Hibernian Team Ireland squad's campaign at the 2003 world road race championships in Hamilton, Canada, next month. The Irish road race champion will compete in the Elite men’s road race on October 12th, gathering experience for what is expected to be a top level pro career in the years ahead.

Philip Deignan, Denis Lynch and Nicolas Roche, the son of 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche, will represent Ireland in the under 23 road race, while Roche will also take part in the time trial. Theo Hardwick, Barry Woods, Paul Brady and Mark Cassidy have been chosen to ride the junior road race, with Hardwick and Woods also taking part in the junior time trial.

The entries for three of the Elite events have yet to be decided; those to go in the men’s time trial, the women’s time trial and the women’s road race will be announced after the TT qualification event to be held in Ballyboughil this Saturday.

This year’s world championships will run from October 7th – 12th in Hamilton, taking place on a tough, hilly course designed in consultation with former Tour de France yellow jersey Steve Bauer.

WARD WINS AGAIN, DOMINATES NICF LEAGUE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 21) Phoenix CC’s Matthew Ward ran out as the dominant winner of the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation league in Ballyfore on Saturday when he took the final race in the series, ahead of Classic Wall’s Jonathon Dempsey. In a replica of the previous weeks race, the two riders started as part of the scratch group, quickly closed up on those ahead and then went clear, with Ward outsprinting his rival for the win.

Mert Thompson (Phoenix CC) out-sprinted Norman Campbell (unattached) to take third, with Ballymena’s Billy Armstrong and Broderick Sloan (Team Madigan) fifth and sixth. That left Ward an impressive sixteen points clear of Cambell in the final overall stadings, 43 points to 27, with Dempsey third.

David Mullholland (Apollo) and Toyota North Down rider Mike Mitchell won the underage races on Saturday.

NICF League, final round, Ballyfore: 1, Matthew Ward (Phoenix CC); 2, J. Dempsey (Classic Walls); 3, M. Thomson (Phoenix CC); 4, N. Campbell (unattached); 5, B. Armstrong (Ballymena); 6, B. Sloan (Team Madigan)

Under 16: 1, David Mullholland (Apollo); 2, Alaister Clarke (Ballymena); 3, Martin Robb (Old Bleach).

Under 14: 1, Mike Mitchell (Toyota North Down); 2, T. Martin (Clann Eireann); 3, R. Baird (Ballymena CC); 4, K. McKernan (Ballymena CC)

SEYMOUR, McCAULEY TAKE TOP POINTS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 22) Robin Seymour and Jenny McCauley won the Elite races at yesterday’s Outsider Magazine Pog 3.5 Challenge in Ballinastoe Wood, near Roundwood. The event was a big success with a large number of riders signing on for the tough cross-country event, which took place over one big loop of 25 kilometres. Present were several overseas competitors, who made the journey to chase the UCI world ranking points on offer for the E2 event. As expected, Athens 2004 aspirant Seymour rode strongly on the hilly, technical course, drawing clear of most of the field in the first few kilometres and then disposing of closest rivals Adrian Lansely (Pedalon Cycles) and the highly impressive 16 year old rider Thomas Jensen (Sorrento CC) on the first long climb. See Pictures Here....

From that point on Seymour continued to open up his advantage, digging deep in an effort to establish a buffer which would give him some breathing room in the event of a puncture or mechanical problem. Jensen and Lansley continued together until the former had trouble with his chain. He got moving again but didn’t manage to regain contact with Lansley during the race. Seymour raced home to take the 20 points on offer for first place, thus furthering his chances of staying inside the world’s top fifty and so achieving qualification for Ireland for next year’s Olympics, while Lansley finished 3 minutes and 51 seconds back. Jensen was just 32 seconds further back, recording the third fastest time of the day, dominating the junior race, and posting a clear sign of his future potential.

In the women’s event, Jenny McCauley (Bray Wheelers) moved clear in the early stages from IMBRC’s Beth McCluskey and Tarja Owens of the promoting Team Worc club, the latter in considerable pain from her still-healing cracked collarbone. McCauley rode strongly to record the eleventh best time of the day and finished 4 minutes clear of McCluskey, with Owens limping home a further four minutes down in considerable discomfort.

‘I got clear of Adrian on the first climb and then just concentrated on getting a decent gap’, said Seymour at the finish. ‘I really needed to win today and at the E2 next week in order to build up world ranking points, and so I had to make sure I had a bit of room in case I punctured or anything else happened. That said, I had to ride carefully and not do anything too silly on the technical bits.’

Lansley was happy with his race. ‘I enjoyed it a lot. It is a great course, very different to normal…there is so much to take in as you are seeing it for the first time, so it really challenges your skill. That is an advantage in other ways, though…because you don’t know what climbs are coming up, you don’t worry too much about them.’

Next home was Thomas Jensen, a young rider who looks to have a very bright future. ‘I dropped my bottle at the start so that was a bit of a worry. I was with Robin on the big climb but told myself to pace it rather than blow up. I was with Adrian until quite late in the race but then my chain dropped off the block. I never got back up to him, my rhythm seemed to go when I had to stop.’

‘I am very happy with the race, I went better than I thought I would. I am only 16 years of age and they are elite riders, so I am pleased. I won the Irish and Danish mtb championships this year, I plan on going to cycling school near Copenhagen in October – that should be good for my development. It is like a sport academy…I will be doing normal classes, but the main focus there is on sport.’

Jenny McCauley punctured in the closing stages and so was happy she had build a big gap. ‘It was a good job I was a fair bit ahead, as I punctured on the last single track and had to run the uphill and flat sections. I found the course to be hard, I was riding a lot of it blind. Normally you would be doing laps and so you get to know what to expect, but this race was just one big loop with a lot of technical stuff. Getting the points was pretty important…I think it is impossible to qualify for the Olympics on an individual basis on this stage, but if myself and Tarja can do well in the remaining races, there is a chance that our combined total will qualify Ireland through the team standings.’

Tarja Owens echoed this. ‘We will have to get as many points as possible between us and see if that is enough. It is kind of disheartening as I haven’t been able to get many points lately due to my collarbone injury. It was very sore today, especially as I fell twice during the race. On one of the falls I put my arm out and came down on it…I thought it was broken again, but I was able to keep going. Hopefully it will heal quickly, as I have to try to do well in the remaining races.’

In the other events, the junior, veterans and masters races went to Thomas Jensen, William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) and Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers). Robert Crommentuyn (W.V Eemland) won the sports event, while Darren Quille (Newbridge CC), Chris Jensen (Sorrento CC) and William Boyd (XMTB) were best in the shorter underage contests.

Outsider Magazine Pog 3.5 Challenge, Ballinastoe Wood, Roundwood. See Pictures Here....

Elite: 1, Robin Seymour (Team Worc) 1 hour 18 mins 52 secs; 2, Adrian Lansley (Pedalon Cycles) at 3 mins 51 secs; 3, Glen Kinning (XMTB) at 8 mins 34 secs; 4, James McCluskey (Team Worc) at 8 mins 41 secs; 5, Phil Cooper (Blue Sky cycles) at 9 mins 58 secs; 6, Peter Buggle (Team Worc) at 11 mins 23; 7, Dave King Smith (Team Worc) at 14 mins 24 secs; 8, Joe McCall (Team Worc) at 17 mins 13; 9, Lewis Ferguson (XMTB) at 17 mins 43 secs; 10, D. Healy (Dublin Skip) at 21 mins 39 secs

Women: 1, Jenny McCauley (Bray Wheelers) 1 hour 39 mins 41 secs; 2, Beth McCluskey (IMBRC) at 4 mins 1 secs ; 3, Tarja Owens (Team Worc) at 8 mins 8 secs; 4, Laurie Copans (Specialised Israel) at 12 mins 32 secs; 5, Aimi Baker (Team Worc)at 41 mins 36 secs; 6, Elaine Quinnlan (unattached) at 1 hour 11 mins 47 secs

Junior: 1, Thomas Jensen (Sorrento CC) 1 hour 23 mins 17 secs (third fastest time of the day); 2, Barry Nolan (Sorrento CC) at 7 mins 4 secs; 3, Chris Bermingham (IMBRC) at 25 mins 16 secs; 4, Patrick Semple (Sorrento CC) at 37 mins 34 secs; 5, Brian Conway (IMBRC) at 55 mins 14 secs

Masters: 1, Peter McConville (Newry Wheelers) 1 hour 32 mins 37 secs; 2, Robert Lamont (XMTB) at 1 min 40 secs; 3, John Doris (Sorrento CC) at 3 mins 1 secs; 4, Ken Farrar (Team Worc) at 9 mins 17 secs; 5, Martin O'Hagan (Newry Wheelers) at 22 mins 41 secs; 6, Peter Neville (St. Finbar's CC) at 28 mins 28 secs

Veterans: William Mulligan (Banbridge CC) 1 hour 37 mins 9 secs; 2, Knud Jensen (Sorrento CC) at 10 secs; 3, John McCabe (Cuchulainn CC) at 3 mins 44 secs; 4, Paul McCann (Banbridge CC) at 5 mins 18 secs; 5, Eamon McConvey (Xplosive) at 25 mins 10 secs; 6, Karl Thomas (Sorrento CC) at 31 mins 34 secs

Sport: 1, Robert Crommentuyn (W.V Eemland) 1 hour 44 mins 52 secs; 2, Andrew Newman (unattached) at 23 secs; 3, Stuart Galloway (Team Worc) at 1 min 18 secs; 4, Darren McGann (unattached) at 4 mins 56 secs; 5, Ross McClure (Bray Wheelers) at 7 mins 52 secs; 6, Sean Heirlehey (Team Worc) at 9 mins 39 secs

Under 16: 1, Darren Quille (Newbridge CC) 50 mins 56 secs; 2, Connor McConvey (XMTB) at 2 mins 15 secs; 3, Matthew Ferguson (XMTB) at 5 mins 37 secs; 4, Eoin Sheridan (MOB Cycling Club) at 7 mins 41 secs; 5, David Gordon (XMTB) at 9 mins 23 secs; 6, James McGuire (unattached) at 15 mins 17 secs. DNF: Mark McLean (unattached)

Under 14: 1, Chris Jensen (Sorrento CC) 25 mins 54 secs; 2, Nathan McCormick (Banbridge CC) at 1 min 44 secs; 3, Christy Brown (XMTB) at 1 min 50 secs; 4, Graham Boyd (XMTB) at 2 mins 28 secs; 5, Neil McGempsey (XMTB) at 2 mins 31 secs; 6, Andrew Godfrey (XMTB) at 4 mins 44 secs

Under 12: 1, William Boyd (XMTB) 34 mins 19 secs; 2, Michael Gordon (XMTB) at 1 min 58 secs ; 3, Mark Fitzsimons (Newbridge CC) at 5 mins 55 secs; 4, Jack McAllister (unattached) at 17 mins 37 secs

POPHAM WINS BRITISH SERIES: (By Shane Stokes Sep 22) Promising junior riders Jamie Popham and Ben Reid made history yesterday when they finished first and second overall in the British Downhill Series in Gryn Moelfre, Powys in Wales.

No rider from outside the UK had ever won the series, but Popham’s fourth place yesterday was enough to ensure his triumph. He had won the first two races in the junior series earlier this year and rode well in the remaining races to hold onto his lead.

Ben Reid took his second straight win yesterday and so finished second overall, making it an Irish one-two.

Both riders have impressed greatly this year, with Popham finishing fifth in the European championships and Reid placing eleventh in the World championships, despite a crash during his run.

ROGERS MAKES IT TWO IN A ROW: (By Shane Stokes Sep 21) Banbridge CC rider Gareth Rodgers stormed up the gruelling one-mile climb of Spelga Pass to successfully defend the Irish Hill Climb championship title he won last year, recording a time of 8 minutes 51.35 seconds for the distance. He was nine seconds better than his team-mate Roger Aiken, with Classic Walls' Jonathon Dempsey netting bronze a further second back. Simon Coughlan (Donamon Dynamos), Ray Clarke (Cycleways Lee Strand) and Conor Murphy (Crannog Ireland) completed the top six.

In the women’s race, Dublin Skip’s Louise Moriarty was fastest up the climb, with Northern CC’s Trudy Brown and Mark Brennan (Castlebar CC) second and third.

Irish Hill Climb Championships, Spelga Pass: 1, Gareth Rogers (Banbridge CC) 8 mins 51.35 secs; 2, R. Aiken (Banbridge CC) 9 mins 0.62 secs; J. Dempsey (Classic Walls) 9 mins 1.6 secs; 4, S. Coughlan (Donamon Dynamos) 9 mins 11.09 secs; 5, R. Clarke (Cycleways Lee Strand) 9 mins 14.19 secs; 6, C. Murphy (Crannog Ireland) 9 mins 14.76 secs; 7, M. Ward (Phoenix CC) 9 mins 16.76 secs; 8, P. Slane (Slane Cycles) 9 mins 19.2 secs; 9, K. Boylan (Lakeland CC) 9 mins 39.95 secs; 10, W. Byrne (Kilcullen CC) 9 mins 41.37 secs

Women: 1, Louise Moriarty (Les Jeunes) 11 mins 35.16 secs; 2, T. Brown (Northern) 12 mins 4.05 secs; 3, M. Brennan (Castlebar CC) 14 mins 4.22 secs

Paddy Neary Memorial race, Dundalk: 1, Colm Bracken (Usher IRC); 2, S. Baker (Usher IRC); 3, J. Crosby (Cuchullain); 4, K. Forde (unattached); 5, K. Martin (Longford CC); 6, J. McCreesh (Newry Haldane Fisher) First woman: Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip)

Connacht Hill Climb Championships: 1, Mark Quigley (Mayo Wheelers) 12 mins 44 secs; 2, P. Marrey (Western Lakes) 12 mins 55 secs; 3, J. Daly (Castlebar CC) at 14 mins 11 secs

Veteran: Dessie Woods (Western Lakes) 14 mins 5 secs; Junior: John Gill (Western Lakes) 15 mins 23 secs; Under 16: Martin Munroe (Western Lakes) 13 mins 44 secs; Under 14: William Connolly (Western Lakes) 7 mins 2 secs (shorter course); Under 12: Liam McNeill (Western Lakes) 7 mins 53 secs

STRONG LEINSTER TEAM FOR TQ PAPER 2 DAY: (By Shane Stokes Sep 21) With the TQ Paper International Ladies two-day now less than two weeks away, team managers Tosh Lavery and Valerie Considine have announced an impressively strong Leinster squad. The six-rider team comprises women’s league winner Siobhan Jacobs, Roisin Kennedy, Beth McCluskey, Orla Hendron, Susan O’Mara and former world rowing champion Sinead Jennings, who is crossing over to bike racing in fine style.

‘The team are very strong and we think they will do very well in the race’, says Lavery, who is greatly impressed by the two rowers. ‘Sinead Jennings is only really starting and has to learn the tactics of racing, but she is pure class on the bike. She is very fit and has a very stylish pedalling action…she is going to be very good. Siobhan Jacobs has come from the same sport and she too is very strong. Together with the other girls, I think we have a great team.’

Jacobs ensured her win in the women’s league during the week with a strong ride in the final round at Boot Inn, won by Roisin Kennedy. The handicap race comprised three groups; Deborah Gordon and Aileen Roche were first off, being chased by Kennedy, Joanie Burns, Emma Quirke, Caroline Mooney and Coleen Foley, and then scratch riders Gillian McDarby, Marie Reilly, Siobhan Jacobs, Sinead Jennings, Karen Bothwell and Orla Hendron.

The second group reeled in the first after a lap and a half of the circuit. Back in scratch, Jennings attacked repeatedly and got clear with Jacobs halfway around the second lap. Bothwell had finished second in an international half-Ironman in Kenmare just days previously but had recovered sufficiently to be able to bridge the gap, combining with the other two to continue closing in on those up front.

With the gaps coming down, Kennedy jumped clear from the first group with Burns and worked hard to open a gap. She then jumped Burns with half a lap to go and held on to take a fine win. Jennings, Jacobs and Bothwell caught the remnants of the first two groups to net third, fourth and fifth on the night, with Aileen Roche next across the line.

The result meant that Jacobs finished the league with a six point lead over Kennedy, who in turn was eight clear of an absent Louise Moriarty. Hendron, Bothwell and O’Mara took fourth, fifth and sixth overall.

Cycling Ireland Women’s league final round, Boot Inn circuit: 1, Roisin Kennedy (Usher IRC); 2, J. Burns (unattached); 3, S. Jennings (unattached); 4, S. Jacobs (unattached); 5, K. Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers); 6, A. Roche (McNally Swords)

Final overall standings: 1, Siobhan Jacobs (unattached) 66 points; 2, R. Kennedy (Usher IRC) 60; 3, L. Moriarty (Dublin Skip) 52; 4, O. Hendron (Orwell Wheelers), 51; 5, K. Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers) 45; 6, S. O’Mara (Dublin Wheelers) 31

EVANS SET FOR NEW TEN MILE TT RECORD: (By Shane Stokes Sep 16) Former Irish record-holder Tommy Evans looks set to reclaim his place at the top after a scorching ride in the Jim Traynor Memorial ten-mile time trial tonight. The Totalcycling.com Lindsay Ford rider stormed the distance at an average speed of over thirty miles per hour to record a time of 19 minutes and 23 seconds, 15 seconds better than the record set two years ago by fellow northern rider David McCann.

Evans’ time will have to be ratified by Cycling Ireland before the time is officially confirmed, but it is highly unlikely that there will be any problems. It had been announced beforehand that he was aiming to set a new ten-mile standard and all the officials will have been in place.

The perfect conditions also saw other competitors record fast times. Classic Walls rider Jonathon Dempsey did 20 minutes 46 seconds to take second, while Aaron Deane (Totalcycling.com-Lindsay Ford) was third, in a time of 21 minutes and 8 seconds. Four other riders went under the 22 minute mark.

Phoenix CC’s Cheryl Fisher won the women’s event with a fine 23 minutes 36 seconds, despite being a relative newcomer to racing.

Tonight’s event was held in memory of race official and journalist Jim Traynor, who passed away suddenly a week and a half ago.

Jim Traynor Memorial 10 mile time trial, Woodgreen circuit: 1, Tommy Evans (Totalcycling.com-Lindsay Ford) 10 miles in 19 mins 23 seconds (new record, subject to ratification); 2, J. Dempsey (Classic Walls) 20 mins 46 secs; 3, A. Deane (Totalcycling.com-Lindsay Ford) 21 mins 8 secs; 4, W. Hamilton (East Antrim Audi) 21 mins 15 secs; 5, R. Aiken (Banbridge CC) 21 mins 33 secs; 6, T. McConville (Apollo) 21 mins 44 secs; 7, A. McDermott (Totalcycling.com-Lindsay Ford) 21 mins 59 secs; 8, M. Holland (McQuaid Tyres Emyvale) 22 mins 19 secs; 9, B. McCourt (Phoenix CC) 22 mins 20 secs; 10, J. Taylor (Apollo) 22 mins 44 secs

IRISH IN HOKKAIDO: (By Shane Stokes Sep 17) Denis Lynch finished best of the Irish in the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan, ending the five-stage race in twelfth place overall. The French-based rider was 4 minutes and 18 seconds back from winner Satoshi Hirose of the Nippon Hodo team. Lynch’s strong showing came as a result of his ride on the crucial third stage of the race, where he finished thirty-five seconds off the stage winner in tenth. The main bunch, which contained the rest of the Hibernian Team Ireland squad, was eight and a half minutes back.

Paul Griffin was next best of the squad in nineteenth place overall, and also placed an excellent third on stage four. He was part of a ten-man group sprinting for second place on the stage. Griffin was also tenth in the bunch gallop on the last stage, with Philip Deignan fourteenth.

Tour de Hokkaido (2.5). Stage 3, Toyotomi-Rumoi: 1, Satoshi Hirose (Nippon Hodo) 172 kilometres in 4 hours 4 mins 49 secs; 2, T. Kano (Shimano); 3, M. Tanaka (Aisan Kogyo); 4, M. Mifune (Miyata Subaru) at 35 secs; 5, K. Hashikawa (Bridgestone Anchor) same time

Hibernian Team Ireland: 10, D. Lynch, same time; 32, T. Barry, at 8 mins 28 secs; 41, P. Griffin; 61, P. Deignan; 63, B. Kenneally, all same time

Stage 4: 1, Shinichi Fukushima (Jpn-Bgt) 169.7 kilometres in 4 hours 8 mins 38 secs; 2, J. F. Laroche (Canada) at 3 secs; 3, P. Griffin (Hibernian Team Ireland); 4, S. Hirose (Nippon Hodo); 5, S. Suzuki (Shimano) all same time

Other Irish: 33, Lynch, at 7 secs; 35, Kenneally, at 29 secs; 43, Barry, at 1 min 53 secs; 45, P. Deignan, same time

Stage 5: 1, Takehiro Mizutani (Bridgestone Anchor) 61 kilometres in 1 hour 19 mins 34 secs; 2, M. Mifune (Miyata Subaru); 3, S. Suzuki (Shimano Racing); 4, C. Pizzoferrato (Nippon Hodo); 5, JF Laroche (Canadan) all same time

Hibernian Team Ireland: 10, Griffin; 14, Deignan; 47, Lynch; 52, Kenneally, all same time; 67, Barry, at 2 mins 29 secs

Final overall: 1, Satoshi Hirose (Nippon Hodo) 17 hours 59 mins 25 secs; 2, T. Kano (Shimano Racing) at 20 secs; 3, M. Tanaka (Aisan Kogyo) at 22 secs; 4, K. Okazaki (Nippon Hodo) at 40 secs; 5, K. Haskikawa (Bridgestone Anchor) at 48 secs

Irish: 12, Lynch, at 4 mins 18 secs; 19, Griffin, at 8 mins 52 secs; 35, Kenneally, at 9 mins 31 secs; 38, Deignan, at 10 mins 45 secs; 47, Barry, at 13 mins 15 secs

IRISH TEAM FOR PARALYMPICS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 17) A six man Irish team leaves today for Prague to take part in the International Paralympic Comittee European Championships. Brian Kenneally, Phil Finegan and Denis Twomey will pilot tandems in Friday’s 107 kilometre road race and Saturday’s 14.5 kilometre time trial, which will both take place on the same undulating circuit.

Kenneally, who is just back from the Tour of Hokkaido, will partner Seamus Kelly, while Finegan joins up with Mark Keogh and Twomey with Billy Shanahan. The three partially-sighted athletes are hoping to achieve qualification for next year’s Paralympics in Athens.

‘It is a fantastic movement’, says Finegan. ‘I have been involved in it about a year, and am constantly amazed by the effort that people put into it. Hopefully we will get on well this weekend.’

Former Kelme professional Javier Otxoa is also taking part in the championships, competing in the cerebral palsy division. He won the Hautacam mountain stage in the 2000 Tour de France but was badly injured in a road accident the following year, which nearly claimed his life. His twin brother Ricardo was killed when the two were hit by a car while training.

SHOWDOWN IN WOMEN’S LEAGUE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 17) With four riders lying within nine points of each other at the top of the standings, tonight’s final race in the 2003 Cycling Ireland’s women’s league is shaping up to be a hard-fought contest. Taking place at the Boot Inn venue at 7 pm, league leader Siobhan Jacobs goes into the race with 56 points, four ahead of Louise Moriarty and a further two up on Orla Hendron. Roisin Kenneady is on 47 points and so is also on course for a very high finish.

Prizes for the league will be presented after the TQ Paper International 2 day in October. The Irish team for that race was announced last week, with Louise Moriarty, Collette Swift, Kate Rudd, Karen Bothwell, Marie O’Reilly and Gillian McDarby all to don the green jersey for the race. A Leinster team is also due to be entered, although no riders have been named as yet.

League standings with one race remaining: 1, Siobhain Jacobs (unattached) 56 2, Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) 52 3, Orla Hendron (Orwell Wheelers) 50 4, Roisin Kennedy (Usher IRC) 47 5, Karen Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers) 36 6, Susan O'Meara (Dublin Wheelers) 31 7, Bernie McNally (McNally Swords) 22 8, Grace McNally (McNally Swords) 22

POPHAM IN POLE POSITION: (By Shane Stokes Sep 17) Promising young downhiller Jamie Popham will take part in the final round of the British Downhill NPS this weekend, vying to become the first non-British rider to win a NPS series in the UK. Popham has ridden strongly in the series all season and has a twelve- point lead. Ben Reid is currently in second place and should hold on with a good result, making an Irish one-two very possible.

Popham and Reid have impressed greatly this season. In August Popham was fifth in the European championships, while earlier this month Reid was eleventh in the world championships, despite a crash.

CI HIBERNIAN NATIONAL BIKE WEEK: (By Shane Stokes Sep 17) This Sunday sees the start of the second annual Hibernian Bike Week, which this year is being held in aid of the Irish Diabetes Federation. The main theme of the National Bike Week is ‘Bike to Work’, and next Monday’s European Car Free Day coincides perfectly with this.

In addition to encouraging more people to bike to work, Cycling Ireland is helping to organise a series of additional events and activities around the country. These include a number of Pedal Picnics and the Dublin Bay Fun Cycle, both taking place this Sunday, and the Hibernian Coast to Coast cycle over the weekend of 27/28 September, from Dublin to Galway and back.

‘Cycling is a healthy, enjoyable, affordable and friendly lifetime activity for everyone’, said CI president PJ Nolan, at the announcement of the Hibernian National Bike Week. ‘In addition to raising valuable funds for the Irish Diabetes Federation of Ireland, we hope to increase commuter, recreational and leisure cycling throughout Ireland.’

Ciaran Mahon, Head of Marketing with Hibernian said “We are delighted once again to support National Bike Week and hope that people will get their bikes out and attend some of the many events taking place during the week.”

(For further information on any event please call 1890 909 909 or check out www.cyclingireland.ie)

A series of events will take place from Sunday 21 to Sunday 28 September nationwide

Family Fun Cycles – Nationwide - Sunday 21 September – taking place nationwide including Drogheda, Galway, Arklow, Tullamore, Waterford, Monaghan, Letterkenny, Thurles, Tralee and Roscommon see www.cyclingireland.ie for full listing

Dublin Bay Fun Cycle - Sunday 21 September – from Howth village to Blackrock park and back

National Bike to Work Week - Monday 22 - Friday 26 September (Monday 22 September is also European Car Free Day)

POG 3.5 CHALLENGE IS GO: (By Shane Stokes Sep 16) This Sunday Ireland’s cross-country riders will take part in an E2 world-ranking event near Roundwood, with the holding of the Outsider Magazine Elite Pog 3.5 Challenge in Ballinastoe Wood. Promoted by Team Worc, the event will use a slightly modified variation of the Pog Challenge 3.0 route which was used earlier this year, a testing 25 kilometre loop. The event is open to all categories and because of the world-ranking points in offer in the elite race, may attract riders from the UK.

The event has received welcome backing with the sponsorship of Outsider magazine, a new Irish adventure sports publication which is due for release later this month. The magazine will feature a range of sports and includes a large mountainbike section.

IRISH FINISH WELL IN WORLD MASTERS CHAMPS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 16) Irish riders finished strongly in the world masters track championship in Manchester velodrome last weekend. Will Byrne (30-34 age division), Brian Hammond (35-39), Lennie Kirk (40-44) and Richard Keller (65+) were all sixth in their points races.

Keller took the second of his bronze medals (he was also third in the 500 metre time trial) in the 65 + 2000 metre pursuit final. Kirk was 9th in the 40-44 pursuit, Hammond was 12th in the 35-39 race and Byrne and Paul Nugent were 11th and 13th respectively in their event.

DALY ON TOP IN ADARE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 16) Promising junior rider Keith Daly ran out as the winner of the Woodlands House Hotel 2 day in Adare over the weekend, beating Laurent Dumoulin (Kanturk Credit Union) and Irish junior champion Michael Lucey (Killarney CC) by three seconds.

Cuchulain CC rider David Duffy was fastest in the gallop which decided the opening stage in Charleville, leading home Kanturk’s Paul Rowland and Colm Crawley of the Stamullen M. Donnelly team, plus the rest of the field. Daly finished ninth. Next up was a 2.5 mile time trial, which saw Daly’s Leinster team-mate Brian Harris record a time of 5 minutes 7 seconds, enough to push Usher IRC’s Brian Hammond and John Dillon (Ravens CRT) down into second and third.

Daly came to the fore when he won the final stage, outsprinting Fran Ennis (Leinster), Dumoulin and Lucey to the line. Jonathan Reidy (Newbridge) was four seconds back and former international Brian Quinn (Limerick CC) 15 seconds down in fifth. That left Daly three seconds clear at the top of the general classification, more than enough to take another fine win.

Woodlands House Hotel 2-day, Adare. Stage 1, Charleville – Charleville: 1, David Duffy (Cuchulainn CC) 1 hour 32 mins 2 secs; 2, P. Rowland (Kanturk Credit Union) same time; 3, C. Crawley (Stamullen M. Donnelly) at 2 secs; 4, F. O’Connor (Fermoy); 5, R. Maes (Killarney A); 6, P. O’Connor (Killarney B) all same time

Stage 2, 2.5 mile time trial: 1, Brian Harris (Leinster) 5 mins 7 secs; 2, B. Hammond (Usher IRC) at 5.10 secs; 3, J. Dillon (Ravens) at 5.12 secs

Stage 3: 1, Keith Daly (Leinster) 2 hours 8 mins 30 secs; 2, F. Ennis (Leinster); 3, L. Dumoulin (Kanturk Credit Union); 4, M. Lucey (Killarney CC); 5, J. Reidy (Newbridge CC) at 4 secs; 6, B. Quinn (Limerick CC) at 15 secs

Final overall: 1, Daly, 3 hours 45 mins 50 secs; 2, Dumoulin, at 3 secs; 3, Lucey, same time; 4, B. Hammond (Usher IRC) at 14 secs; 5, Quinn, at 15 secs; 6, S. Spratt (St. Finbarr’s) at 19 secs; 7, M. Nestor (Shannonside) at 22 secs; 8, M. Hickey (Dungarvan) at 23 secs; 9, Crawley, same time; 10, M. Hartery (Autoview) at 24 secs

POWER 33RD IN SAN FRANCISCO: (By Shane Stokes Sep 16) Navigators professional Ciarán Power finished 33rd in the tough T-Mobile International in San Francisco on Sunday, riding strong in a team role during the prestigious 1.3 ranked event. Held in front of an estimated half million spectators, the race featured riders of the calibre of five-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, Alexandre Vinokourov – who was third in this year’s Tour – and Giro d’Italia winners Gilberto Simoni and Stefano Garzelli.

The race was defined by a constant stream of attacks, with a below-par Armstrong one of many retirements. He had been suffering from illness in the days leading up to the race. Power rode well in the service of his Navigators team-mates but lost contact with the main bunch on the final lap, finishing 1 minute 19 seconds behind race winner Chris Horner (Saturn) and 15 seconds off the time of the main field.

Power also rode strongly in the previous day’s San Rafael Cycling Classic, going clear as part of a twelve-man breakaway and looking set for a high finish. However he tangled with Horner just before the final sprint, both riders losing out as a result.

T Mobile International, San Francisco (1.3): 1, Chris Horner (Saturn) 173 km in 4 hours 24 mins 33 secs; 2, M. McCormack (Saturn Cycling Team) at 49 secs; 3, V. Ekimov (US Postal) at 1 min 2 secs; 4, D. Hondo (Telekom) at 1 min 4 secs; 5, U. Murn (Fromaggi Pinzolo Fiavé Mix); 6, V. Davidenko (Navigators) both same time. Irish: 33, C. Power (Navigators) at 1 min 19 secs

PEELO WINS CLASSIC LEAGUE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 15) It has been confirmed that yesterday’s fifth place in the Matthew Corcoran Memorial was enough for Dave Peelo to overtake Cidona Carrick Wheelers’ Joe Fenlon and win the 2003 Cycling Ireland Classic League. It proved to be an excellent day for the Usher IRC team – up North, veteran rider Sean Bracken defended his national road race title, while in Naas Mick Mulcahy broke away in the closing stages to take a fine win and Peelo’s strong ride ensured overall victory in the league.

Peelo finished behind Cycleways Lee Strand rider Stephen O’Sullivan and ahead of team-mate Colm Bracken and Dublin Wheelers rider Andrew Donnellan in their sprint for fourth place. League leader Joe Fenlon was back in 14th place and this was enough to see Peelo move two points ahead of him in the standings. The final winning total was 35 points, with Fenlon on 33 and Conor Murphy (Crannog Ireland), third yesterday, ending on 31. Adrian Hedderman (Cycleways Lee Strand) and David O’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombari Sports) both finished on 30 points.

Matthew Corcoran Memorial, Naas (final round of Cycling Ireland Classic league): 1, Mick Mulcahy (Usher IRC); 2, D. O’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi Sports); 3, C. Murphy (Crannog Ireland); 4, S. O’Sullivan (Cycleways Lee Strand); 5, D. Peelo (Usher IRC); 6, C. Bracken (Usher IRC); 7, A. Donnellan (Dublin Wheelers); 8, A. Hedderman (Cycleways Lee Strand); 9, S. Baker (Usher IRC); 10, R. Clarke (Cycleways Lee Strand); 11, A. Crowley (Cycleways Lee Strand); 12, M. Kiernan (Totalcycling.com); 13, B. Ahern (Naas Figrolls); 14, J. Fenlon (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); 15, P. Ennis (Orwell Wheelers)

Final classic league standings: 1, David Peelo (Usher IRC) 35 points; 2, J. Fenlon (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) 33; 3, C. Murphy (Crannog Ireland) 31; 4, A. Hedderman (Cycleways Lee Strand) 30; 5, D. O’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi Sports) 30; 6, M. Mulcahy (Usher IRC) 28; 7, C. Bracken (Usher IRC) 26; 8, P. Griffen (Earl of Desmond) 22

Classic league events: - Des Hanlon, Carlow Mar 30th; Noel Hammond mem May 11th; Noel Teggert mem Jun 1st; Tommy Sheehan mem July 13th; Gene Moriarty mem Aug 3rd; Sheeffry GP Aug 24th; Matthew Corcoran mem Sep 14th

GOOD WEEKEND FOR USHER IRC: (By Shane Stokes Sep 14) Usher IRC rider Sean Bracken took his third consecutive National Veterans Road Race championship title at Nutts Corner today, attacking a group containing the other race favourites on the final lap. He extended his lead all the way to the line, winning comfortably by 57 seconds from Norman Cambell. St. Finbarr’s rider Kevin O’Leary won the six-man sprint which decided the bronze medal. Bracken’s Usher IRC team-mate Hugh Davis finished the fifty mile race in tenth place and with Paddy Davis also in the main bunch, the Dublin squad took the team prize.

The day’s action began with an attack shortly after the drop of the flag, which saw local riders Jim Dill (East Antrim Audi) and Vincent Tubridy (Slane Cycles) open a one minute lead over the field. Two chasing groups set out in pursuit and between them, closed up to the leaders at the halfway point. Present in this breakaway were Bracken, Campbell, O’Leary, Brendan Graham (Total Cycling), Kenny Boylan (Lakeland CC), Jim McConnell (East Antrim-Audi),Terry Ferris (Dublin Wheelers), Anthony MacMahon (McNally Swords ) and Sean McIlroy (Carrick Cidona), plus Dill and Tubridy. Dill’s presence was shortlived, however, as he punctured out of the break and failed to regain contact.

Although this group contained many of the big hitters, a furious chase led by the Phoenix squad saw the gap to the main field come down to just twenty seconds. That prompted a response from the break, which drew away again before Bracken made his winning move. He coasted to a comfortable victory, ahead of Campbell, with O’Leary out-kicking Graham, Ferris and Tubridy to net bronze.

In addition to their win and team prize award, there was further success for the Usher IRC team at the final round of Cycling Ireland’s Classic League today. Mick Mulcahy took what was probably his biggest ever win when he triumphed at the end of the Matthew Corcoran memorial in Naas, finishing 49 seconds clear of David 0’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi) and Crannog Ireland’s Conor Murphy at the end of the 80 mile event. These three riders had gone clear with Cycleways Lee Strand’s Stephen O’Sullivan with two laps remaining of the 5 lap, 80 mile race and opened up a decisive lead. Mulcahy made his move on the final lap, racing clear to a fine win, with O’Loughlin outsprinting Murphy. O’Sullivan had slipped back but held on take fourth, with Usher IRC team-mates David Peelo and Sean Bracken plus the Dublin Wheelers rider Andrew Donnelan next across the line.

All Ireland Veterans Road Race Championship: 1, Sean Bracken (Usher Irish Road Club) 50 miles in 2 hours 6 mins 17 secs; 2, N. Campbell (unattached) at 57 secs; 3, K. O'Leary (St. Finbars) at 1 min 20 secs; 4, B. Graham (Totalcycling.com); 5, T. Ferris (Dublin Wheelers); 6, V. Tubridy (Slane Cycles); 7, J. McConnell (East Antrim-Audi); 8, K. Boylan (Lakeland CC) all same time; 9, S. McIlroy (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) at 1 min 50 secs; 10, H. Davis (Usher IRC) at 2 mins 15 secs

Connacht Mountain Bike league race, Union Wood, Sligo: Senior: 1, Darren Mc Gann (unattached); 2, P. Marrey (Western Lakes); 3, P. Tansey (Eire Og)

Under 16: 1, Martin Munroe (Western Lakes); 2, R. Brown (Western Lakes); 3, J. Joyce (Western Lakes), Under 14: Willy Connolly (Western Lakes); 2, B. Kilcullen (Sligo); 3, D. Gavin (Covey Wheelers), Under 12: Sean Carolan (Covey Wheelers)

UCPC Autumn League Round 1, Nutts Corner: 1, Jonathon Dempsey (Classic Walls) 40 miles in 1 hour 42 mins 29 secs; 2, G. Heverin (Castlereagh) at 14 secs; 3, P. Hawkins (Castlereagh) at 23 secs; 4, AP Armstrong (Northern) at 30 secs; 5, P. Harte (Phoenix) at 45 secs; 5, A. McDermot (Totalcycling.com) same time

Northern Ireland Ladies Series road race, Nutts Corner: 1, Cheryl Fisher (Phoenix CC) 25 miles in 1 hour 10 mins 20 secs; 2, T. Brown (Northern CC) same time; 3, A. McFarlane (Omagh) at 10 secs; 4, M. McKee (Phoenix) at 15 secs; 5, C. Clarke (Bann Valley) at 55 secs; 6, H. Thomas (Phoenix) same time

O’BRIEN BEST OF IRISH AT KAPRUN WORLD CUP: (By Shane Stokes Sep 14) Glyn O’Brien was best of the Irish riders at the final round of the MTB World Cup this weekend in Kaprun, placing 35th in the downhill race behind Spanish victor David Vazquez Lopez. O’Brien was 21 seconds off the winning time, with junior entrant Jamie Popham just over 8 seconds further back in 55th place. The remaining Irish riders were outside the top 80 in the semi-final.

Jenny McCauley fared best of the cross-country squad, picking up 25 world-ranking points for her 51st place. Tarja Owens was again under pressure due to her collarbone injury but persisted to finish 67th, adding 9 points to her accumulated total. Robin Seymour showed signs of fatigue from his heavy racing programme of late, feeling off-form and finishing outside the points in 76th position in the men’s event.

MTB World Cup 6, Kaprun, Austria: Downhill: 1, David Vazquez Lopez (Spain) 2 mins 35.2 secs; 2, G. Minnaar (South Africa) 2 mins 36.6 secs; 3, N. Rennie (Australia) 2 min 37 secs; 4, M. Marosi (Czech Republic) 2 mins 37.4; 5, F. Barel (France) 2 mins 39.6

Semi-Finals: 1, Fabien Barel (France) 2 mins 3.5 secs; 2, Minnaar, 2 mins 38.3; 3, M. Berchtold (Brazil) 2 mins 43.9 secs

Irish: 49, O’Brien, 3 mins 4.2 secs; 54, Popham, 3 mins 5.5 secs; 85, C. Ross, 3 mins 15.9; 86, W. Corry, 3 mins 16.6; 92, B. Reid, 3 mins 19.7; 105, J. Lawlor, 3 mins 24.1; 162, A. Clogher, 4 mins 15.9; DNF: A. Smith

Cross-country: 1, Gunn-Rita Dahle (Merida International) 1 hour 54 mins 23 secs; 2, S. Spitz (Merida International) at 1 min 50 secs; 3, M.H. Premont (Oryx) at 2 mins 16 secs; 4, I. Kalentieva (Merida International) at 2 mins 50 secs; 5, N. Gohl (Germany) at 3 mins 37 secs

Men: 1, Filip Meirhaeghe (Specialized Mountain Bike) 2 hours 18 mins 32 secs; 2, T. Frischknecht (Switzerland) at 44 secs; 3, J. Absalon (Motorex Bianchi) at 1 min 11 secs; 4, C. Sauser (Siemens Mobile Cannondale) at 1 min 33 secs; 5, R. Paulissen (Siemens Mobile Cannondale) at 1 min 44 secs

WOODS 39TH IN ACHT VAN BLADEL: (By Shane Stokes Sep 14) Killorglin’s Barry Woods ended the Acht Van Bladel junior race today in 39th place, faring best of the Hibernian Team Ireland squad in the 4 day Dutch event. He took the squad’s best placing on stage 2a of the race yesterday, finishing tenth, while the rest of the Irish team also came home in the main bunch. The squad got it tough in the afternoon’s team time trial, finishing 2 minutes and 57 seconds behind the victorious District Noord Holland squad and placing 16th.

Woods was once again the best of the Irish on today’s final stage, a 117 kilometre race which started and finished in Bladel. British National Team rider (and M. Donnelly Junior Tour competitor) Bruce Edgar was first across the line, while Woods (50th), Hardwick (52nd) and Eoin Concannon (59th) were 52 seconds down. Frazer Duncan and Mark Cassidy both dropped out of the race after suffering mechanical problems and punctures.

District Oost Nederland’s Albert Timmer ran out as the final winner of the 2.8 ranked junior race. Woods was 39th, 5 minutes and 51 seconds back, while Hardwick was over 9 minutes down in 50th place. Concannon was 59th.

Acht van Bladel (2.8), Stage 2a, Bladel – Bladel: 1, Yvo Kusters (TWC Maaslandster) 101 kilometres in 2 hours 19 mins 24 secs; 2, A. Timmer (District Oost Nederland); 3, J. Ponten (NGP TWC Het Snelle Wiel) at 7 secs; 4, A. Christensen (Danish National Team) at 10 secs; 5, M. Kurth (U19-Team Radschläger) at 14 secs

Hibernian Team Ireland: 10, Barry Woods; 36, F. Duncan; 51, E. Concannon; 59, T. Hardwick; 78, M. Cassidy, all same time

Stage 2b, Bladen Team Time Trial: 1, District Noord Holland, 23.1 kilometres in 28 mins 44 secs; 2, Norwegian National Team, at 24 secs; 3, Jan van Arckel, at 43 secs

Stage 3, Bladel – Bladel: 1, Bruce Edgar (British National Team) 117.2 kilometres in 3 hours 11 mins 44 secs; 2, A. Van Stiphout (District Zuid Oost Nederland) at 14 secs; 3, G. Thomas (British National Team); 4, R. Berk (District Zuid Holland); 5, P. Israël (NGP Jan van Arckel) all same time

Irish: 50, Woods, at 52 secs; 52, Hardwick, same time; 59, Concannon, at 1 min 7 secs; DNF: Duncan, Cassidy

Final overall: 1, Albert Timmer (District Oost Nederland) 9 hours 2 mins 4 secs; 2, M. Alloo (District Zuid Oost Nederland) at 9 secs; 3, C. Van Ooyen (NGP Jan van Arckel) at 30 secs; 4, F. Wallaard (NGP Jan van Arckel) at 37 secs; 5, L. Heimans (District Noord Holland) at 58 secs

Irish: 39, Woods, at 5 mins 51 secs; 50, Hardwick, at 9 mins 41 secs; 59, Concannon, at 12 mins 40 secs (68 finishers)

Teams classification: 1, NGP Jan van Arckel, 26 hours 9 mins 54 secs; 2, District Oost Nederland, at 1 min 59 secs; 3, District Zuid Oost Nederland, at 2 mins 13 secs

DEIGNAN FOURTH, GRIFFIN SIXTH ON STAGE 1: (By Shane Stokes Sep 12) Hibernian Team Ireland riders Philip Deignan and Paul Griffin rode strongly on the first road stage of the Tour of Hokkaido, sprinting home in fourth and sixth place respectively. The duo finished to the fore of the main bunch which crossed the line ten seconds behind the winner Claudio Pizzoferrato, with their Irish team mates Tim Barry and Brian Kenneally also finishing in the peloton.

Deignan was also best of the Irish team in the prologue which got the world-ranked race underway, finishing 11 seconds off the winning time to take 36 place on the stage. The promising young rider is best of the squad overall, going into stage three 28 seconds off the race leader in 31st place. Tim Barry, Griffin and Kenneally are also within forty seconds of the overall lead, making it a good start for the team.

Tour de Hokkaido (2.5): Prologue, Asahikawa ITT: 1, Taiji Nishitani (Asian Kogyo) 2.3 kilometres in 2 mins 51 secs; 2, JF Laroche (Canada) at 1 sec; 3, K. Okazaki (Nippon Hodo) at 3 secs; 4, C. Pizzoferrato (Nippon Hodo) same time; 5, S. Fukushima (Bridgestone Anchor) at 4 secs

Hibernian Team Ireland: 36, P. Deignan, at 11 secs; 37, D. Lynch; 38, T. Barry, both same time; 39, P. Griffin, at 12 secs; 83, B. Kenneally, at 20 secs

Stage 1, Asahikawa-Nayoro: 1, Claudio Pizzoferrato (Nippon Hodo) 181 kilometres in 4 hours 4 mins 12 secs; 2, K. Okazaki (Nippon Hodo) at 10 secs; 3, S. Suzuki (Shimano); 4, Griffin; 5, T. Mizutani (Bridgestone Anchor); 6, Deignan, all same time

Other Irish: 30, Barry; 50, Kenneally, both same time; 64, Lynch, at 3 mins 21 secs

General Individual Classification: 1, Pizzoferrato, 4 hours 6 mins 56 secs; 2, Okazaki, at 12 secs; 3, Suzuki, at 17 secs; 4, Laroch, at 18 secs; 5, Hashikawa (Bridgestone Anchor) at 20 secs

Irish: 31, Deignan, at 28 secs; 32, Barry, same time; 33, Griffin, at 29 secs; 50, Kenneally, at 37 secs; 61, Lynch, at 3 mins 39 secs

SCANLON’S RECOVERY GOING WELL: (By Shane Stokes Sep 11) Although he broke his nose in the bunch sprint which decided the second stage of the Tour of Poland and was forced to withdraw from the race, first year professional Mark Scanlon confirmed today that there would be no further disruption to his racing programme.

The 22 year old Sligoman suffered the injury when he fell during the final gallop and was hit in the face by a competitor’s bike. However he did not have to undergo an operation on his nose and says that the injury is healing without complication.

‘My nose is not too bad, it doesn’t need surgery or anything’, he said today. ‘I was up near the front toward the end of the stage, trying to stay out of trouble. I was leading out Laurent Brochard when there was a crash in front of me. I went down, was okay but as I was getting up a bike went into me and did the damage. My nose wasn’t too bad but rather than take a chance with it, the team thought it was best not to continue the race. If I had fallen again and banged it there could have been a real problem.’

‘It was a pity as I was going well. I had been very tired a few days before the race but just took some time off, only going out on a short spin the day before. That did the trick as I felt good in Poland.’

Scanlon will return to racing in the GP d’Isbergues next Sunday. He had been lying fourth overall in the Tour of Poland after an excellent performance on the opening stage. The 1998 junior world champion was involved in a long breakaway and took several bonus sprints and mountain points, opening a lead in the latter competition and also heading the combined classification.

There had been a fear that the crash would put a halt to his recent run of impressive form, but Scanlon confirmed today that he would return to racing in the Grand Prix d’Isbergues on Sunday week. He will ride a number of top pro events after that, and is the rider most likely to represent Ireland in the world road race championships in Hamilton, Canada in early October.

HARDWICK 20TH ON STAGE ONE OF ACHT VAN BLADEL: (By Shane Stokes Sep 11) Theo Hardwick was best of the Irish team on the prologue of the Acht Van Bladel in the Netherlands today. The Killorglin rider finished 53 seconds off the winning time set by 2002 M. Donnelly Junior Tour rider Levi Heimans in the 11.4 kilometre test, placing 20th on the stage. Barry Woods was next best of the Hibernian Team Ireland squad, finishing 72nd, while Paul Brady, Frazer Duncan, Mark Cassidy and Eoin Concannon were further back.

The 2.8 tour continues tomorrow with a 116 kilometre stage starting and finishing in Bladel.

Prologue, Bladel ITT: 1, Levi Heimans (District Noord Holland) 11.4 kilometres in 14 mins 47 secs; 2, L. Snoeks (Norwegian National Team) at 8 secs; 3, M. Alloo (District Zuid Oost Nederland) at 9 secs; 4, H. Lilland (Norwegian National Team) at 12 secs; 5, A. Timmer (District Oost Nederland) at 16 secs

Irish: 20, T. Hardwick, at 53 secs; 72, B. Woods, at 2 mins 26; 74, P. Brady, at 2 mins 32; 92, F. Duncan, at 3 mins 33; 95, M. Cassidy, at 3 mins 49; 96, E. Concannon, at 3 mins 51

HARRY DAWSON RIP (1942 - 2003) By Shane Stokes, Sept 11th

The funeral took place yesterday of former Bray Wheelers international Harry Dawson, who passed away suddenly after a training ride at the weekend. The 61 year old raced for many years and has a substantial list of achievements, including stage wins in the Tour of Ireland and five bronze medals in the national championship road race.

‘The news was a massive shock to me and the other guys in the club’, said Phil O’Brien today. ‘Harry never stopped riding the bike and used to go away every summer to the continent and do big spins over there. He had a problem with high chloresterol in recent years and lately had been having pains in his chest. We didn't think it was that serious, but unfortunately it was.’

Harry was part of the crack Bray Wheelers team which dominated the Irish scene in the past. Those five bronze medals in the nationals were accompanied by numerous team golds, while he also took two stages in the Tour of Ireland, finished fourth in the same race, and also won events such as the prestigious Mountain Time Trial and the BSA Cup. He raced on many international teams and took part in the Milk Race, while in the latter stages of his career he rode the FBD Milk Rás and won the Gorey three day. He was also chairman of the Bray Wheelers, a life member of the club, and drove the broom wagon during the Nissan Classic.

‘Myself and Harry started cycling on the same night in 1957’, O’Brien remembers. ‘He had the best engine going, bar Peter Doyle. He was as strong as a horse. I remember one of the stages he won in the Tour of Ireland was the longest ever…there was a diversion on the road which brought the riders a different way than the original route and the stage ended up being 170 miles. He was away for about 40 miles with a group, which was gradually whittled down. He held on by himself to take the win…I remember you could see his number, he was so close at the end. The bunch were only about three seconds behind him.’

‘He was also very well known for being the first guy to the top of the Gap of Mamore. The climb was first brought in for the 1970 Tour of Ireland, and he was away with one other rider during the stage. He crossed the top by himself but was caught on the run in to the finish…I think he was fourth across the line.’

‘Harry was very solid, he was a real family man. He had five children and load of grandchildren. He was solid, honest and hardworking. He did shift work in the ESB for many years and always said that people who did those kind of hours died ten years younger than they should. Unfortunately he was right about that. I was very badly affected by his death, like the rest of the club. There was a huge number of people in the church both days, including one guy I hadn’t seen for about forty years...that says what kind of guy he was. He will be missed.’

Harry Dawson is survived by his wife Teresa and a large family. May he rest in peace.

KELLER TAKES TWO BRONZE MEDALS AT WORLD MASTERS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 11) Irish rider Richard Keller has won two bronze medals at the ongoing World Masters Track Championship in Manchester, taking excellent third places in the 500 metre time trial and the 2000 metre pursuit for over 65’s.

Keller recorded a time of 39.647 seconds for the 500 metre time trial, less than a second off the winning standard of Finnish rider Atte Koskinen. He was third yesterday in the 2000 metre pursuit for his age class, behind Great Britain’s Brian Dacey and Roland Crayford. He was also fifth in the sprint.

Other Irish riders have also been participating well in the championships. John Moran and Lennie Kirk were 15th and 19th respectively in the 40-44 age group 750 metre time trial, while Anto Moran was 15th in the 35-39 1000 metres time trial. Malcolm Goggin was 13th in the 30-34 age championship for the same distance.

Men 40-44 750M Time Trial: 1, Geoff Stoker (Australia) 51.258 secs; 2, I. Reid (Great Britain) 52.051; 3, P. Hunter (Great Britain) 52.401

Men's 35-39 1000M Time Trial: 1, Grenville Scullard (South Africa) 1 min 7.383; 2, R. Veroba (Canada) 1.08.198; 3, T. Lawson (Great Britain) 1.09.446

Men 65+ 500m TT: 1, Atte Koskinen (Finland) 38.67 secs; 2, R. Crayford (Great Britain) 39.096; 3, R. Keller (Ireland) 39.647

Men's 30-34 1000m: 1, Marco Librizzi (Great Britain) 1 min 6.357 secs; 2, N. Potter (Great Britain) 1.07.476; 3, P. Coulson (Australia) 1.08.036

Men 65+ Sprint Final: 1, Roland Crayford (Great Britain) 13.461 secs; 2, K. Harrison (USA); 3, B. Dacey (Great Britain)

Men 65+ 2000m Pursuit Final: 1, Brian Dacey (Great Britain) 2 mins 36.487; 2, R. Crayford (Great Britain) 2.38.177; 3, R. Keller (Ireland) 2.48.173

IRISH TEAM FOR TQ PAPER 2 DAY: (By Shane Stokes Sep 11) The Irish team for October’s TQ Paper International women’s race was announced today, with Louise Moriarty, Collette Swift, Kate Rudd, Karen Bothwell, Marie O’Reilly and Gillian McDarby all to don the green jersey. The official closing date has passed but late entries will be accepted, albeit with a surcharge. Contact Brian Carolan at 086 2055389 for an entry form and details.

McNALLY WINS LATEST ROUND OF WOMEN’S LEAGUE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 11) Grace McNally outsprinted Roisin Kennedy to take the fifth round of the Cycling Ireland women’s league last night, while the absent Louise Moriarty had enough of an advantage to conserve her lead at the head of the overall standings.

McNally (McNally Swords) had started in the second of three groups and, over three laps of the Boot Inn circuit, combined with sisters Bernie and Breeda, Caroline Mooney (all McNally Swords) and Usher IRC’s Roisin Murray to hold off the scratch riders. This second pack reeled in the two rider front group by the halfway point, after which Kennedy and Grace McNally jumped clear with half a lap to go.

McNally took the final sprint, while Debbie Gordon rode strongly to finish third. Of the scratch group, Susan O’Mara (Dublin Wheelers) beat Orla Hendron (Orwell Wheelers), taking eighth place on the night.

Cycling Ireland women's league round 5, Boot Inn: 1, Grace McNally (McNally Swords); 2, R. Kennedy (Usher IRC); 3, D. Gordon (unattached); 4, C. Mooney (Mc Nally Swords); 5, Bernie McNally (McNally Swords); 6, Breda McNally (McNally Swords)

Overall standings: 1, Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) 52 points; 2, O. Hendron (Orwell Wheelers) 45; 3, S. Jacobs (unattached) 40; 4, R. Kennedy (Usher IRC) 39; 5, K. Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers) 36; 6, S. O’Mara (Dublin Wheelers) 32; 7, K. Rudd (Orwell Wheelers); 8, G. McNally (McNally Swords)

Billy Stewart Cup, Derrymacash: 1, Willie Hamilton (East Antrim Audi); 2, M. Murray (Clann Eireann); 3, M. Holland (McQuaid Tyres Emyvale); 4, T. Evans (Totalcycling.com); 5, M. Ward (Phoenix CC); 6, F. O’Kane (Phoenix CC). 1st senior 2: Paul Harte (Phoenix) CC 1st senior 3: Alan Downey (Apollo) CC

MORIARTY LEADS WOMEN’S LEAGUE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 10) Dublin Skip rider Louise Moriarty heads into this evening’s round of the Cycling Ireland women’s league with a clear lead in the overall standings. She is ten points ahead of Orwell’s Orla Hendron, with Siobhan Jacobs (unattached) three points further adrift. Moriarty will thus be awarded the Staggs Lucan-sponsored yellow jersey at tonight’s race at the Boot Inn.

Race organiser Valerie Considine has announced a health level of backing for the league, with Dublin Skip and the women’s league organisation putting forward a prize fund of 565 euro. The winner will be awarded 150 euro, with second through to sixth taking 120, 100, 80, 65 and 50. Usher IRC are also providing 100 for the person who turns up at the most races (an amount which will be split if riders are equal) while Staggs Lucan will reward the best newcomer. Other clubs and businesses are welcome to contribute to this fund.

The league races will act as a selection method for the national and Leinster teams for the TQ Paper International women’s 2-day, which will be held on the first weekend in October. League prizes will be awarded after that stage race.

Standings after four events: 1, Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) 52 points, 2, Orla Hendron (Orwell Wheelers) 42, 3, Siobhan Jacobs (unattached) 39, 4, Karen Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers) 34, 5, Roisin Kennedy (Usher IRC) 29, 6, Susan O’Mara (Dublin Wheelers) 27, 7, Kate Rudd (Orwell Wheelers) 20, 8, Joanie Burns, 17

O’DONOGHUE EXCEEDS IRISH RECORD DISTANCE FOR 12 HOURS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 10) Irish 24 hour record holder Paul O’Donoghue surpassed the national distance for 12 hours at the weekend while taking part in a distance event in Wales. The Sorrento CC rider covered 255.4 miles in the allotted time, exceeding the 250.95 mile standard set by Maurice Donaldson (Maryland Wheelers) back in 1957.

Working out as an average of more than 21 miles an hour for the duration of the event, O’Donoghue’s ride is an impressive feat. Irishcycling.com is awaiting confirmation that Irish records can be set outside Ireland but if so, and once ratified, it means that he will hold the records for both 12 and 24 hours.

O’Donoghue also recently completed the Paris-Brest-Paris endurance event. He is hoping that more Irish riders will take up distance events such as this one in the future.

KENMARE LOST SHEEP TRIATHLON: (By Shane Stokes Sep 10) With the racing season drawing to a close, some cyclists will be starting to look to other disciplines to keep fit. This weekend the Cork Triathlon club will hold the Kenmare Lost Sheep triathlon, an international Half-Ironman distance event comprising a 1.2mile swim, 56 mile cycle and 13 mile run, and amongst the field will be some who normally concentrate mainly on racing bikes. Backed by Hibernian Insurance, a prize fund of five thousand euro is up for grabs at the tough contest, with the men’s winner due to take home one thousand of this. Three professional triathletes from the UK have been confirmed as part of the 150-strong field.

The race is being organised by the Cork club, which has two of the favourites within its ranks. London-based Eoin Connell is coming back for the contest, while Trevor Woods has been strong all season in Irish events and is expected to be in the first five. So too UK-based Irish international Rich Brady.

According to John O’Shaughnessy of the promoting club, those most likely to succeed are the Englishman Peter Swaine and the Scot Stephen Clarke. UK pro triathlete Jess Peterson is expected by him to dominate the women’s event, with compatriot Dalma Gardner and Irish cyclist Karen Bothwell both chasing places in the top three.

O’Shaughnessy tips Eamon Hill for the men’s over 40 race, and expects the equivalent women’s class to come down to a duel between Frances Buckley and Deirdre Quinlan.

‘This is by far the toughest triathlon event in Ireland,’ he says. ‘We have competitors from Ireland, UK, USA, Germany, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and of course Kerry competing on this great course. The swim will take place in Kenmare Bay. The cycle heads into Lauragh, up the Healy Pass, into Glengarriff, up the Caha Pass and then back to Kenmare, while the run takes the field around Kenmare and up by the river.’

SCANLON BREAKS NOSE IN CRASH, PULLS OUT OF TOUR OF POLAND: (By Shane Stokes Sep 9) Mark Scanlon has decided not to start today's third leg of the Tour of Poland, having crashed in the final kilometre of yesterday’s stage. The 22 year old first year professional had ridden strongly on the first day of the race on Monday, picking up mountain points and sprint bonuses in a long breakaway with one other rider. They were caught by the bunch with just two kilometres to go. He then went into yesterday’s 202 kilometre race from Tczew to Olsztyn in an excellent fourth place overall, and was also leading the mountains competition and the combined classification.

However the Sligoman was involved in a crash in the finishing sprint and had the misfortune to break his nose. He crossed the line 55 seconds behind the stage winner Fabio Baldato of the Alessio team, but because of a rule regarding crashes in the final kilometre, he was given the bunch time. His injury does however mean that he will not start today. The news is a cruel blow to the former world junior champion, who despite his youth has been riding exceptionally well of late.

Tour of Poland (2.2) stage 2, Tczew – Olsztyn: 1, Fabio Baldato (Alessio) 202 kilometres in 4 hours 34 mins 49 secs; 2, Tombak; 3, M. Lewandowski (Action Nvidia Mróz); 4, S. Cadamuro (De Nardi-Colpack); 5, D. Krupa (Legia Bazyliszek Lux Med) all same time

Overall: 1, Janek Tombak (Cofidis Le Credit Par Telephone) 8 hours 33 mins 34 secs; 2, Cadamuro, at 4 secs; 3, Lewandowski, at 10 secs; 4, Y. Bru (LA Pecol); 5, K. Stafiej (Action Nvidia Mróz) both same time

Mountains classification: 1, Mark Scanlon, 16 points; 2, Stafiej, 11; 3, R. Marzoli (Alessio) 5

Sprints classification: 1, Kazimierz Stafiej (Action Nvidia Mróz) 10 pts; 2, Scanlon, 6; 3, Marcin Sapa (Mikomax Browar Staropolski) 5

Combination classification: 1, Scanlon, 22; 3, Stafiej, 21; 3, R. Marzoli (Alessio) 5

ANOTHER EXCELLENT RIDE FOR SCANLON: (By Shane Stokes Sep 8) Following on from his strong performances recently in the Tour of Denmark and the GP Ouest France, first year Irish professional Mark Scanlon is riding with the same sort of impressive power in the Tour of Poland, which began yesterday. The 22 year old picked up mountain points and sprint bonuses due to a breakaway ride during the 169 kilometre first stage, and while he eventually finished as part of the main bunch, the day’s efforts have certainly reaped their reward.

Scanlon is an excellent fourth overall of 154 riders going into today’s second stage of the prestigious seven-day Tour, four seconds behind yesterday’s winner Simone Cadamuro of the De Nardi-Colpack team. He also leads the mountains competition and the combined classification, and is second in the sprint standings.

The Sligoman has impressed greatly this year during the first few months of his professional career. A world junior champion in 1998, Scanlon has this season taken the best set of results since the days of Kelly and Roche.

Tour of Poland (2.2) stage 1, Gdansk – Gdynia: 1, Simone Cadamuro (De Nardi-Colpack) 168.5 kilometres in 3.58.59; 2, J. Tombak (Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone); 3, Y. Bru (L.A. Pecol); 4, L. Brochard (Ag2R Prevoyance); 5, M. Lewandowski (Action Nvidia Mróz) all same time

General classification after stage 1: 1, Simoe Cadamuro (De Nardi-Colpack) 3 hours 58 mins 49 secs; 2, K. Stafiej (Action Nvidia Mróz) at 1 sec; 3, J. Tombak (Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone) at 4 secs; 4, M. Scanlon (Ag2R Prevoyance); 5, Y. Bru (L.A. Pecol) at 6 secs

Mountains classification: 1, Mark Scanlon, 16 points; 2, Stafiej, 11; 3, D. Bruylandts (Marlux Wincor Nixdorf) 5

Sprints classification: 1, Kazimierz Stafiej (Action Nvidia Mróz) 9 pts; 2, Scanlon, 6; 3, J. Voight (Credit Agricole) 1

JIM TRAYNOR R.I.P. (1940 - 2003)

IrishCycling.com is very saddened to report the unexpected and untimely death of journalist Jim Traynor, who over many years made huge contributions to the sport. Jim died suddenly this morning at the age of 63. A real enthusiast of cycling, he wrote on the subject for the Irish News and other publications, covered many northern events for this website and also worked in a volunteer capacity in the sport. He was a regular sight at the FBD Milk Rás, where he acted as Chief Judge for many years.

Race director Dermot Dignam was one of those keen to pay tribute to Jim. ‘I am completely shattered by the news. I knew Jim for many years, first meeting him back in our racing days. He was a very sociable character, was passionate about the sport and loved going to France with his bike each year. We served together on the executive council of the NCA and more recently, worked together on the FBD Milk Rás where he acted as Chief Judge. He was always one of the most committed and dedicated officials in the sport, and was very likeable too. It is a big, big shock.’

Jim is survived by his wife Bridie. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, and missed too by those who may not have met him but who read his fine reports. We would like to thank him for all he has done for the sport, and extend our sympathies to Bridie and all those who knew him personally over the years. May he rest in peace.

Funeral Arrangements:

The funeral will take place on Tuesday 9th September, leaving from 16 Clonmore, Armagh Road, Newry at 1.30pm, arriving at St Mary's Church at approximately 2pm. Burial will take place in the adjoining cemetery.

IRISH JUNIORS RIDE WELL IN UK INTERNATIONAL: (By Shane Stokes Sep 8) The Hibernian Team Ireland junior team rode strongly in yesterday’s Solihull CC International Junior road race in Warwickshire, with riders in the thick of the action throughout the nine lap event. Paul Brady and Frazer Duncan placed fourth and sixth at the finish, crossing the line in the same time as Dataphonics winner Mark Cavendish. Theo Hardwick also came home as part of the front group, placing fifteenth.

The race featured constant attacking and on the second lap a group of seven drew clear, including Ireland’s Barry Woods, Cavendish and Maarten Mandemakers of the Tempo BVM team, who was similarly aggressive in the M. Donnelly Junior Tour of Ireland one month ago.

Two laps later a chase group containing Duncan and another containing Mark Cassidy went clear of the main bunch, which was losing interest and thus conceding time to the leaders. However while Duncan made it across, Cassidy’s group was eventually pegged back by the main field, ending his chances of a high placing.

Duncan went clear at the head of affairs after a break by Dutchmen Roy de Waal and Mandemakers was hauled back, but his bid was closed down shortly afterwards. A few other chasers bridged across to make it 22 up front, including Brady, Duncan and Hardwick, and despite attack and counter-attack, the race came down to a big group sprint. Cavendish had posted notice of his strength with four top-six placings in the M. Donnelly Junior Tour and was the clear winner in the gallop, with Brady fourth and taking the prize for the best foreign rider. Duncan came home sixth, with Hardwick fifteenth in the group.

Solihull CC International Junior road race, Warwickshire: 1, Mark Cavendish (Dataphonics RT) 2 hours 47 mins 49 secs; 2, P. Williams (Ellan Vannin CC); 3, B. Edgar (Dataphonics RT); 4, P. Brady (Hibernian Team Ireland); 5, P. Seubert (Hessen Cycling Federation)

Other Hibernian Team Ireland riders: 6, F. Duncan; 15, T. Hardwick, both same time; 47, M. Cassidy, at 3 mins 36 secs. Best Overseas Rider: Paul Brady

CYCLEWAYS LEE STRAND TAKE THREE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 8) The Cycleways Lee Strand team took a rare clean sweep over the weekend, with Adrian Hedderman beating Kieran McMahon (Earl of Desmond) and Colm Crawley (Stamullen M. Donnelly) to win the Beechmount Cup in Kilmessan on Saturday, Ray Clarke triumphing over Andrew Donnelly (Dublin Wheelers) and Totalcycling.com’s Tommy Evans at the same venue on Sunday and Aidan Crowley winning the Ken O’Keefe Memorial race in Cork. Eddie O’Donoghue (Usher IRC) and John Horgan (St. Finbarr’s CC) were the runners-up in this race.

Meanwhile Conor Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers CC) and Bray Wheelers team-mates Gary Rigley and Urban Monks won gold in the Leinster underage championships in Kilmessan yesterday, taking provincial titles in the under 12, under 14 and under 16 races respectively.

Collins/Christle Memorial Cup Race, Kilmessan: 1, Ray Clarke (Cycleways Lee Strand); 2, A. Donnellan (Dublin Wheelers); 3, T. Evans (Totalcycling.com); 4, A. Hederman (Cycleways Lee Strand); 5, M. Ward (Phoenix CC); 6, M. Mulcahy (Phoenix CC); 7, C. Sweetman (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 6, P. Cassidy (Cycleways Lee Strand)

Juniors: 1, Gary McElroy (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); 2, M. Nestor (Shannonside CC); 3, S. McKenna (Stamullen M. Donnelly)

Senior 2: 1, Darragh O’Sullivan (PSV Aachen); 2, F. O’Connor (Fermoy CC); 3, G. McNulty (Orwell Wheelers)

Senior 3: 1, Paul Nugent (Classic Walls); 2, D. McMahon (McNally Swords); 3, L. O’Toole (unattached)

Ladies: 1, Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip); 2, K. Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers); 3, G. McDarby (Tilechoice)

Veterans: 1, Sean Bracken (Usher IRC); 2, R. Brannigan (Orwell Wheelers); 3, T. Ferris (Dublin Wheelers)

Leinster Underage Championships, Kilmessan: Under 12: 1, Conor Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers CC); 2, A. O’Connor (Navan Avonmore); 3, L. McKenna (Stamullen M. Donnelly) See Pictures by Peter Purfield here...

Under 14: 1, Gary Rigley (Bray Wheelers CC); 2, C. Jensen (Sorrento CC); 3, N. Rock (McNally Swords)

Under 16: 1, Urban Monks (Bray Wheelers CC); 2, A. Coyle (Shannonside CC); 3, P. Nolan (Shannonside CC)

Beechmount Cup, Kilmessan: 1, Adrian Hedderman (Cycleways Lee Strand); 2, K. McMahon (Earl of Desmond CC); 3, C. Crawley (Stamullen M. Donnelly); 4, C. Bracken (Usher IRC); 5, E. Murtagh (Ravens CC); 6, P. Slane (Slane Cycles CC)

Senior 2: Ciaran McKenna (Emerald CC); senior 3: Aidan Bracken (unattached); junior: Colm Crawley (Stamullen M. Donnelly); woman: Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip)

Ken O’Keefe Memorial race: 1, Aidan Crowley (Cycleways Lee Strand); 2, E. O’Donoghue (Usher IRC); 3, J. Horgan (St. Finbarr’s CC); 4, L. Demoulin (Kanturk Credit Union); 5, M. Hickey (Dungarvan CC); 6, M. Concannon (Killorglin CC)

Other categories: Senior 2: Maurice Hartley (Autoview); senior 3: Aidan Dennehy (St. Finbarr’s CC); veteran: Kevin O’Leary (St. Finbarr’s CC)

LETTER FROM ABROAD: HOMETIME: (Sep 8) The Earl of Desmond rider John Dempsey has been racing this season with the EC Mayenne team in Normandy. This is his final instalment for the season, as he is about to head back to Ireland for a break from the bike.

Sorry it has been so long since I have been in touch but I have been really busy as of late…. Actually, that was a complete lie - I have had very little on my agenda so the only excuse I can offer is laziness. Full time cycling is great for the amount of training and resting you can get done but it makes you really lazy, as you don’t have a lot to do and all day to do it. I don’t know if I will be able to handle going back to the real world and getting a job. Getting up before 10.30am is just not right!!! Unfortunately my life of leisure is about to end, as Sunday the seventh is my last race in France. Then it is back home for a few more races and then decision time. Do I give it one more year and come back to France, or do I bite the bullet and go looking for a job?

The season is slowly winding up over here. I could keep racing till the 28th of September but that would involve riding lots of two-up time trials and stuff. I think I would rather get shot in the foot than ride a TT. Thankfully the manager does not mind too much so I am free to leave.

I have not been in touch since early July. That month was a write off as far as results are concerned. I was constantly getting hammered in races, so in the end I refused to do the training that the manager was giving me. It was all intervals, intervals to recover from the intervals and intervals to prepare for the races. I was going into the races wrecked and coming out of them worse. I told him that two years ago I was finishing on the podium in France from just riding my bike when I felt like it. So now I have reverted to riding the bike when I feel good and going to the café when I feel bad. It has worked to some degree I have not made it back onto the podium but I have progressed to finishing races in something other than a body bag.

As I mentioned in my last “letter from abroad” the big goals for the team were the Challenge Mayennaise and the GP Plouay. The Challenge Mayennaise is three one-day races, with an overall being decided on points. The first night was only 100km..the general consensus was that it was going to finish in a bunch gallop as it does every year. So 190 riders set off expecting a bunch gallop…the break goes in the first km and stays away all day. The second day was 120km over two 7km circuits, I rode this two years ago and it was really hard so I was expecting the worst. There were 190 riders again…we were held on the start line for some unknown reason for 15 minutes in 40 degree heat. This did not go down well with the riders and the race took off at literally 65kph. Within 2km the whole bunch was in a line out with yours truly in the last 30 riders. I looked up to see a massive crash happening near the front of the bunch. Riders kept ploughing into it, as it was so hard they had their heads down and did not see it.

I have never seen as big a crash….there was bodies everywhere, and we were not able to get past as riders were badly hurt and were not able to move. We finally got going after about a minute and it looked like our race was over (I was not too disappointed at the thought) but the race was neutralised as it was talking the ambulances a while to clear up the bodies. This meant that we were held on the starting line for another 15 minutes. The race started again at break-neck speed but without the crash this time. After an hour or so I was tailed off in a small group and quickly packed, only about 40 of the 190 starters finished. The following day “only” had 150 starters, as lots of guys must have gotten sense at this stage. The pace was definitely not as quick as the previous two days. It was again approximately 120km, with the first 80km on large circuits and then we moved to a smaller finishing circuit. Coming onto the finishing circuit I was in what was left of the peloton (about 30 riders). There were about 30 riders up the road in small groups. I was determined to finish after packing the previous day, however upon reaching the finishing circuit the entire peloton except myself and two other riders packed. We rode around for a couple of laps but also climbed off, as it just felt stupid by this stage.

The next big objective was the GP Plouay; what a class race, with a permanent racing circuit and three large video screens positioned around the course. Unfortunately I suffered a “jour sans” (off day) and got hammered. I only lasted about an hour, but I knew from the off I was going to suffer as there was nothing at all in my legs. This contrasted widely with how I felt in other races and training but I suppose it was just one of those days. I suppose getting up at 5.45am for a 9am start did not help, note what I said earlier about my normal waking hour of 10.30am.

We stayed to watch the women’s world cup afterwards J I have never gone to a women’s race before but there is a definite attraction…I think I will be back!!! The pro race was on the following day, but I was restricted to watching it on TV. It would be a great weekend break as there is a cyclo tourist event on the Friday followed by two days of racing. Please do not think these were the only races I have been riding (I am not that lazy) but I have a feeling you do not want to read about the normal everyday races chasing a few euros around a village in western France.

As I stated above I am not sure of what to do about next season. Is it worth coming back or should I face into the “real world”? My season has not gone as well as hoped but I am happy that I have persevered until September and I am not stuck in some job at the moment wondering what if???? You can always go back to studying or working but you can’t go back to cycling.

Anyway, I hope that you have enjoyed reading these articles as much as I have writing them. Thanks again to everyone who has supported me in 2003, and enjoy the social season!

GOOD FIELD EXPECTED FOR TQ PAPER TWO-DAY: (By Shane Stokes Sep 8) The organisers of the TQ Paper International Ladies 2 day race are hopeful that this year’s edition will be one of the best yet, with a strong field expected for the three-stage event. The race regularly attracts a strong field of overseas competitors, including teams of riders from the UK and the Netherlands, and as per usual will be held in North county Dublin on the first weekend in October.

This year’s contest will begin with a flat 64 kilometre road race on Saturday 4th, which takes in eight laps of the Boot Inn circuit and which will probably end in a sprint finish. Later that day the riders tackle a flat 2 kilometre time trial beside Dublin airport, which will give a clearer indication of the riders with a chance of carrying off the final yellow jersey.

The second day of competition is over a tough 74 kilometre course, which winds out through the Naul, Stamullen and Ballyboughil villages and takes in several climbs along the way. The stage gives ample opportunity for attack and so a real shake-up is expected, with the top contenders scrapping it out all the way to the line.

Entries co-ordinator Brian Carolan expects a good field to line out for the race, which enjoys a unique, friendly atmosphere and is the perfect end-of-season event. ‘We are hoping to have fifty riders or more, including competitors from the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. The Moving Ladies Groenewoud team will be coming back, and they always ride very well here.’

Normal entries have closed for the race, but late entries are still possible. Contact Brian Carolan at 01 8370590 (h) or 086 6044136 for details and entry forms.

REID ELEVENTH IN WORLD DH CHAMPIONSHIPS, POPHAM SIXTEENTH: (By Shane Stokes Sep 8) Irish junior champion Ben Reid had an excellent ride in the downhill world championships in Lugano, Switzerland yesterday, placing eleventh in the junior race. The fastest time was set by Australian Samuel Hill, four minutes and 39.49 seconds, with Reid recording a time of 5 minutes 5.99 seconds, less than half a second outside the top ten. His performance is all the more notable as he crashed during his run, losing vital time.

Jamie Popham was four and a half seconds further back, placing a fine sixteenth, while Andy Smith was a respectable 39th of 70 finishers. Taken along with their other good results this year (including Popham's fifth at the European champs) this latest showing suggests the future should be a bright one for Irish downhill racing.

In the Elite event, Glyn O’Brien was best of the Irish riders in placing 45th. John Lawlor, Andrew Yoong and Colin Ross were 56th, 76th and 88th respectively, with the medals going to victorious South African Greg Minnaar plus the French duo Mickael Pascal and Fabien Barel.

The women’s race saw French rider Anne-Caroline Chausson take her seventh elite downhill title, a stunning record. There were no Irish entrants in this event.

2003 MTB World championships, Lugano, Switzerland. Downhill: Elite Men: 1, Greg Minnaar (South Africa) 4 mins 37.78 secs; 2, M. Pascal (France) 4 mins 38.7 secs; 3, F. Barel (France) 4 mins 39.11 secs; 4, S. Peat (Great Britain) 4 mins 40.15 secs; 5, C. Kovarik (Australia) 4 mins 42.29 secs

Elite Women: 1, Anne-Caroline Chausson (France) 5 mins 10.23 secs; 2, S. Jonnier (France) 5 mins 22.64 secs; 3, N. Le Caer (France) 5 mins 27.69 secs; 4, T. Moseley (Great Britain) 5 mins 33.31 secs; 5, F. Griffiths (Great Britain) 5 mins 35.06 secs

Junior Men: 1, Samuel Hill (Australia) 4 mins 39.49 secs; 2, G. Atherton (Great Britain) 4 mins 50.49 secs; 3, C. Kurtz (France) 4 mins 54.47 secs; 4, K. Strait (USA) 4 mins 57.56 secs; 5, D. Riffle (USA) 4 mins 59.57 secs

Irish: 11, B. Reid, 5 mins 5.99 secs; 16, J. Popham, 5 mins 9.34 secs; 39, A. Smith, 5 mins 28.62 secs

SEYMOUR ON VERGE OF OLYMPIC PLACE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 8) Robin Seymour today moved ever closer to Olympic qualification when he was 52nd in the men’s cross-country event at the mountainbike world championships in Switzerland, adding more crucial world ranking points to his total. Jenny McCauley was 54th of the women, taking 47 points, while the injured Tarja Owens courageously limped through the same race to finish 69th. She cracked her collarbone two weeks ago but managed to salvage 32 world ranking points with her ride.

‘Robin picked up 49 points today, 8 more than his ride in the worlds two years ago, and now has a total of 454,’ said team manager Geoff Seymour this afternoon. ‘The rankings are due to be updated this week but I think he will be about 34th. With the first 50 to qualify automatically, things are looking pretty good. He didn’t really feel that good today…any of the guys who raced in the marathon championships last weekend seemed a bit below par in the race. But obviously he is happy to take those points.’

Seymour and Tarja Owens had decided before the race that she was going to take things easy, the pain of her cracked collarbone still a big factor. ‘Martin Earley was here and strapped her up well. We decided that she should take it very handy so that she does not have any additional problems for next week’s World Cup in Kaprun. She was lapped early on in the race but that was the plan, as she didn’t have to finish. The only goal today was to get some world ranking points. It is great that she got to do this, as when she crashed two weeks ago things looked pretty bad.’

Meanwhile Glen Kinning and Lewis Ferguson lined out in the under 23 and junior events yesterday. Kinning was four laps down in 61st place, while Ferguson took 54th in his event and was two laps in arrears.

Cross country, elite men: 1, Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium) 2 hours 25 mins 2 secs; 2, R. Hesjedal (Canada) at 46 secs; 3, R. Paulissen (Belgium) at 1 min 52 secs; 4, R. Naef (Switzerland) at 2 mins 41 secs; 5, B. Peters (Netherlands) at 2 mins 51 secs

Elite women: 1, Sabine Spitz (Germany) 2 hours 7 mins 59 secs; 2, A. Sydor (Canada) at 16 secs; 3, I. Kalentieva (Russia) at 1 min 59 secs; 4, I. Kraft (Germany) at 2 mins 58 secs; 5, M.H. Premont (Canada) at 4 mins 15 secs

Under 23: 1, Balz Weber (Switzerland) 43.1 kilometres in 2 hours 9 mins 45 secs (19.93 km/h); 2, M. Fumic (Germany) at 37 secs; 3, I. Alvarez (Spain) at 1 min 12 secs; 4, L. Killeen (Great Britain) at 1 min 34 secs; 5, N. Filippi (France) at 4 mins 58 secs

Juniors: 1, Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic) 36 kilometres in 1 hour 51 mins 51 secs (19.79 km/h); 2, N. Schurter (Switzerland) at 2 mins 27 secs; 3, O. Yakymenko (Ukraine) at 4 mins 53 secs; 4, G. Fabry (France) at 7 mins 3 secs; 5, M. Plaxton (Canada) at 7 mins 28 secs

McCANN SHINES IN WORLD AND EUROPEAN MASTERS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 5) Cormac McCann senior excelled in the European and World Masters Championships over the summer, taking gold in the first of these on July 25th in the Isle of Man and then placing fifth in the World Masters road race in St. Johann, Austria on August 30th. The fine performances show that success is a family trait, as his sons David and Cormac have both been successful Irish internationals.

McCann was part of a ten man group which sprinted for gold in the World Championships in Austria (65-69 age group), finishing fifth in the gallop which was won by German rider Werner Rogosenski.

Lennie Kirk was 17th in the 40-44 road race, crossing the line in a group sprinting for fifth, and was 27th in the time trial Mike McDermot was 47th in the 45-49 time trial.

McCann had finished even higher up in the European championships on the Isle of Man on July 25th. He broke clear during the category 8 (65-69) road race and coasted home 54 seconds clear of silver medallist George Bennett to take an excellent win, with fellow Irishman Gerard Rea fifth.

Paul Doyle was fifth in the 30-34 age group road race, finishing 3 minutes and 12 seconds down on winner Stuart Dangerfield. Ger Madden also placed fifth in his event, the category 2 road race (age 35 – 39), while Terry Ferris was fourth in the category 4 (45-49) championship.

Road races: Men 65-69: 1, Werner Rogosenski (Germany) 40 kilometres in 1 hour 2 mins 29 secs; 2, L. Olefs (Germany); 3, S. Angella (Italy); 4, M. De Jong (Netherlands);

Men 40-44: 1, Luc Van Roy (Belgium) 116 kilometres in 2 hours 39 mins 7 secs; 2, H. Hermans (Belgium); 3, H. Mc Murdo (Australia) both same time

Time trial: Men 2, 40 - 44 yrs: 1, David Grice (USA) 20 kilometres in 25 mins 25 secs; 2, M. Lusini (Italy) same time; 3, U. Messerschmidt (Germany) at 9 secs; 4, Y. Demanov (Russia) at 17 secs; 5, D. Buben (Bielorussia) at 17 secs

Men 3, 45 - 49 yrs: 1, Jörg Echtermann (Germany) 20 kilometres in 25 mins 45 secs; 2, H. Joerg Hellerup (Denmark) at 2 secs; 3, B. Ropret (Slovenia) at 9 secs

European Masters championships, Isle of Man (July 25): 1, Stuart Dangerfield (GB) 75.5 miles in 3 hours 17 mins 48 secs; 2, M. Pluckrose (GB) at 1 min 32 secs; 3, J. Henderson (GB) at 1 min 39 secs

Irish: 5, P. Doyle, at 3 mins 12 secs; 10, P. Sweeney, at 20 mins; 12, A. Hammond, at 42 mins

Category 2: 1, Mike Harrison (GB) 75.5 miles in 3 hours 19 mins 20 secs; 2, M. Jones (GB) at 5 mins 4 secs; 3, V. Bogatskov (Russia) at 12 mins 2 secs

Category 3: 1, Norbert Becker (Germany) 37.75 miles in 1 hour 36 mins 53 secs; 2, P. Gage (GB); 3, S. Wharton (GB) both same time

Category 8: 1, Cormac McCann (Ireland) 1 hour 17 secs; 2, G. Bennett (GB) at 54 secs; 3, J. Lyth (GB) same time

OWENS BATTLES ON: (By Shane Stokes Sep 5) Tarja Owens has confounded expectations by travelling out to the world championships in Lugano, Switzerland, where she will line out the cross-country race this Sunday. The Olympic hopeful cracked her collarbone eleven days ago when she fell during the European championships, and was expected to be sidelined for four to five weeks. However, after receiving medical advice, she has entered this weekend’s race. All going well, Owens will pick up more world ranking points and so try to get back on track with regards to possible Olympic qualification.

‘Tarja started using the indoor trainer two days after her crash and has been working hard on it ever since’, says team manager Geoff Seymour. ‘She got medical advice which told her that she could start the race and travelled out today. She is feeling pretty good and will hopefully get on well in her race this weekend.’

Jenny McCauley and Robin Seymour are also chasing points towards the same goal, and will be part of the five-rider cross-country team on Sunday. Seymour is now well inside the world’s top fifty and on course to earn a place for Ireland in Athens, while Owens and McCauley must score heavily in the remaining events if they are to stand a chance.

Glen Kinning and Lewis Ferguson complete the cross-country team, and will compete in the under 23 and junior events respectively.

Nine downhill riders will also take part in the championships. Jamie Popham finished an excellent fifth in the European champs and together with Ben Reid and Andy Smith, will ride the junior race. The senior team comprises national champion Colin Ross, Glyn O’Brien, John Lawlor, Andrew Yoong and Will Corry.

MORIARTY WINS THIRD ROUND OF WOMEN’S LEAGUE: (By Shane Stokes Sep 5) Dublin Skip rider Louise Moriarty sprinted to victory at the end of the third race in the Cycling Ireland women’s league last night, outgalloping Orwell Wheeler’s duo Kate Rudd and Orla Hendron at the end of the 32 kilometre event. Moriarty was one of six riders who started in the scratch group and conceded two and a half minutes to the front group in the handicapped race.

The group had reduced the lead by thirty seconds at the end of the first lap, but under the impetus of Susan O’Mara (Dublin Wheelers) this lead tumbled faster thereafter. The front group was finally reeled in with one lap remaining, and despite attacks by Moriarty and Siobhan Jacobs, the race came down to a sprint finish between the six scratch riders and Hendron. Here Moriarty showed her speed ahead of Rudd and Hendron, with Jacobs, Karen Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers) and O’Mara filling the first six places.

Cycling Ireland women’s league round 3, Boot Inn: 1, Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip); 2, K. Rudd (Orwell Wheelers); 3, O. Hendron (Orwell Wheelers); 4, S. Jacobs (unattached); 5, K. Bothwell (Orwell Wheelers); 6, S. O’Mara (Dublin Wheelers)

POWER THIRD ON FINAL DAY OF GREEN MOUNTAIN STAGE RACE, FINISHES FIFTH OVERALL: (By Shane Stokes Sep 3) Team Navigators professional Ciarán Power finished off the Green Mountain Stage race with a strong ride, taking third on the final stage and ending the four day, points-based race in a fine fifth place overall. The US-based professional rode well in the finale of the Burlington Criterium, winning the bunch sprint some 25 seconds behind the leading duo Mark McCormack (Saturn) and Power’s team-mate Mark Walters, who had gone clear halfway through the 31 mile street race.

McCormack won all four stages in the Vermont event, lifting the overall prize with a total of 321 points. Power’s 216 points put him in fifth and with stage placings of third, fourth, fifth and sixth he is clearly in good form in advance of the prestigious San Francisco Grand Prix on September 14th, which is one of the most important events on the US calendar.

Green Mountain Stage Race stage 3, Burlington Criterium: 1, Mark McCormack (Saturn) 31 miles in 1 hour 6 mins 44 secs (102 points); 2, M. Walters (Navigators Cycling Team) 88; 3, C. Power (Navigators) at 25 secs, 68 points; 4, K. Lacombe (Canadian National Development) 66 points; 5, S. McCormack (Sago Tea Café/Bicycle Alley) 62

Final general Classification: 1, Mark McCormack (Saturn) 321 points; 2, Walters, 251; 3, T. Johnson (Saturn) 244; 4, C. Hughes (LeMond Fitness/Captain Cra-Z Soap) 226; 5, Power, 216

SCANLON CONTINUES HIS RISE UP WORLD RANKINGS: (By Shane Stokes Sep 3) First year Irish professional Mark Scanlon has continued his rapid progress up the world rankings and is now listed as 215th in the world in the new UCI points table. The 22 year old Sligoman was back in 456th place three and a half weeks ago but since then has recorded some sensational results for a young rider, taking a stage win and placing fifth overall in the Tour of Denmark and then going on to finish an excellent sixth in the prestigious French semi-Classic, the GP Ouest France at Plouay, Brittany. He now has a total of 269 points, a mere 13 off a place in the top 200.

Scanlon’s rapid progress illustrates his class as a bike rider and gives an indication of his potential. Ireland has not had a rider as highly ranked since the careers of Kelly and Roche a decade ago. Although currently fatigued from the volume of racing in recent weeks, Scanlon has now decided to extend his season until the world championships, which are taking place in early October in Hamilton, Canada. He is aiming to gain experience which will prove beneficial in future years.

POWER RIDING STRONGLY IN VERMONT, MORIARTY GOING WELL IN BELGIUM: (By Shane Stokes Sep 1) Navigators professional Ciarán Power is riding well in the four-day Green Mountain stage race in Vermont, a points-based contest which draws to a conclusion later today. The Waterford rider placed sixth on the short uphill prologue road race, 33.6 seconds behind Saturn’s Mark McCormack, and took 27 points for his efforts. He then led home the main bunch at the end of stage 1, a 65 mile circuit race in Moretown, finishing 3 minutes and 50 seconds back from McCormack and three others and so placing fifth. The mountainous day three saw another good ride, with Power riding strongly on the final 18 percent ascent of the Appalachian Gap to cross the line in fourth place, 26 seconds behind a flying McCormack who took his third straight win and extended his points lead.

Power is now 5th overall with just today’s final 31 mile Burlington criterium to come.

Meanwhile Eugene Moriarty showed good sprinting form at the end of the first stage of the 2.6 ranked Ronde Van Ov Vlaanderen in Belgium yesterday. The Hibernian Team Ireland rider crossed the line in 13th place, 27 seconds after Darius Strole won the stage. Simon Kelly was 26th, with Paul Griffin and David O’Loughlin also finishing in the main bunch.

Green Mountain Stage Race, Vermont, USA. Prologue hill climb road race: 1, Mark McCormack (Saturn) 8.1 miles in 28 mins 16.9 secs (41 points); 2, C. Hughes (LeMond Fitness/Captain Cra-Z Soap) at 3.5 secs (37); 3, T. Johnson (Saturn) at 4.8 secs (37). Other: 6, C. Power (Navigators) at 33.6 secs (27 points)

Stage 1, Moretown Circuit Race: 1, McCormack, 64.7 miles in 2 hours 43 mins 49 secs (60 points); 2, M. Walters (Navigators) , 60 points; 3, Hughes, 60. Other: 5, Power, at 3 mins 50 secs (52 points)

Stage 2, Sugarbush Resort/Mad River Road Race: 1 Mark McCormack (Saturn) 64.5 miles in 2 hours 40 mins 37 secs (60 points); 2, Walters, at 1 sec (60); 3, T. Johnson (Saturn) at 6 secs (54). Other: 4, Power, at 26 secs (54 points)

Overall: General classification after Stage 2: 1, McCormack, 219 points; 2, Johnson, 183; 3, Hughes, 165; 4, Walters, 163; 5, Power, 148

Ronde Van Ov Vlaanderen, Belgium (2.6). Stage 1, Erwetegem-Erwetegem: 1, Darius Strole (Team ICSA) 115 kilometres in 2 hours 37 mins; 2, A. Baranauskas (WK Everg) same time; 3, G. de Weirdt (Mix 3) at 24 secs; Irish: 13, E. Moriarty, at 27 secs; 26, S. Kelly; 111, P. Griffin; 127, D. O’Loughlin, all same time

SUCCESS FOR ROAD AND MTB RIDERS IN UK: (By Shane Stokes Sep 1) Irish road and MTB riders performed with distinction in the UK yesterday, with Lewis Ferguson and Thomas Juul-Jensen winning their races at the fourth round of the XC NPS at Nottingham and Cidona Carrick team-mates Brian Kenneally and Tim Barry finishing second and sixth in the Tour of the Peaks.

Ferguson took a remarkably close victory at the end of the junior cross-country race at Sherwood Pines, with three other riders within eleven seconds of his time. Ian Bibby (Science in Sport) was the closest of these, just one second in arrears. Sorrento CC rider Barry Nolan was seventeenth. Thomas Juul Jensen had a more comfortable margin of victory in the youth (under 16) event, beating Guernsey Velo Club rider James Carling by one minute and twenty seconds. Andy McCullough (XMTB) was fourth, with his team-mates Matthew Ferguson and Conor Convey 13th and 18th respectively.

Irish riders also took high placings in other races. Chris Juul-Jensen was fourth in the juvenile (under 14) event, 2 minutes and six seconds behind winner Adam Turner of the Newark Castle CC, while Nathan McCormack (Banbridge CC) and XMTB’s Christy Brown placed fifth and seventh in the same race. Knud Juul Jensen (MI Racing/Peugeot) was ninth in the veterans competition.

Elsewhere in the UK, Brian Kenneally was a strong runner-up in the tough 95 mile Tour of the Peaks, crossing the line 19 seconds behind breakaway companion Mark Lovatt (Life Repair/Litespeed), who took his sixth win in the hilly event. Kenneally went clear early on with Lovatt, Paul Manning (VC St Raphael) and Team fakta professional Julian Winn. This group was reduced to two by the halfway point, with Winn blowing up and a broken gear cable spelling the end to Manning’s chances.

Lovatt and Kenneally carried on together to build a strong lead over a four man chase group, comprising Malcolm Elliot (Pinarello RT), Chris Newton (Cormia RT), John Tanner (Life Repair) and Kenneally’s team-mate Tim Barry. Lovatt made his winning move in the final few miles, with Kenneally finishing a fine second and Barry crossing the line in sixth, three minutes and 46 seconds off the winning time.

Tour of the Peaks, Derbyshire: 1, Mark Lovatt (Life Repair) 95 miles in 3 hours 59 mins 33 secs; 2, B. Kenneally (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) at 19 secs; 3, M. Elliott (Pinarello RT) at 3 mins 30 secs; 4, C. Newton (Corima Road Team) same time; 5, J. Tanner (Life Repair) at 3 mins 36 secs; 6, T. Barry (Cidona Carrick Wheelers) at 3 mins 46 secs

British Cycling NPS XC round 4, Sherwood Pines, Nottingham. Junior: 1, Lewis Ferguson (XMTB) 1 hour 21 mins 55 secs; 2, I. Bibby (Science in Sport) at 1 sec; 3, C. Langdon (ABG/Tomac/Bell) at 3 secs; Other Irish: 17, B. Nolan (Sorrento CC) at 9 mins 4 secs

Veterans: 1, Steve Jones (Pedalon. Co.Uk) 1 hour 25 mins 3 secs; 2, G. Clark (Evans Cycles RT) at 16 secs; 3, D. Nelson (Beyond Mountain Bikes) same time

Youth (under 16): 1, Thomas Juul-Jensen (MI Racing/Peugeot) 55 mins 16 secs; 2, J. Carling (Guernsey Velo Club) at 1 min 20 secs; 3, A. Atkins (Evans Cycles RT) at 1 min 41 secs

Other Irish: A. McCullough (XMTB) at 1 min 58 secs; 13, M. Ferguson (XMTB) at 4 mins 56 secs; 18, C. Convey (XMTB) at 5 mins 59 secs

Juvenile (under 14): 1, Adam Turner (Newark Castle CC) 27 mins 56 secs; 2, D. Feltcher (Sherwood Pines) at 11 secs; 3, A. Ford (Sowerby Brothers) at 1 min 7 secs

Irish: 4, C. Juul-Jensen (IMBRC) at 2 mins 6 secs; 5, N. McCormick (Banbridge CC) at 3 mins 5 secs; 7, C. Brown (XMTB) at 3 mins 34 secs

Cycling Round Up