Here is a video of the annual Stephen Roche GP a criterium road race in Dundrum which passes the house that Stephen Roche grew up in. The race is organised by the Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club.

In 1986 Stephen had not won the Tour de France at that stage, but he was a very successful professional cyclist on the continent. In Ireland, cycling was flourishing with great competition in the senior ranks. They're were a group of riders going very well and the racing was fierce fast.

In this particular race, some of those riders mostly Dublin based came to the fore, names like Gary Thompson who eventually won the race, and others like Julian Dalby, Aidan Harrison, Peter Stewart, Eddie Madden, Mick McLynskey, Tony Murphy, Donal Shannon, Lyonias Murphy, Mick Cahill, Brendan Murray, Ciaran McKenna and so many more... Along with nice weather on a summer's evening, all making it a great event.

In Memory Sadly two of the officials at this race are no longer with us, Race Organiser Kieran Hammond and Commissaire Paddy Sullivan, both of whom contributed so much to the sport.

May they rest in peace.

The race continues to this day with the occasional visit of the cycling superstar Stephen Roche who started cycling in the seventies with the Orwell Wheelers.

Video by Peter Purfield