Due to the cancellation of the Bohermeen races, Round 1 of the Zoo Hair Salon National League will now take place on Sunday 2nd April in Balbriggan. Women will complete 2 * 18 mile laps in the Ben McKenna / Jazzer Wherity Memorial races promoted by Balbriggan CC. Sign-on is at the Ring Commons Sports Centre, where the TQ sign-on was last year. The women’s race starts at 11.15am. Balbriggan CC will provide prizes for the first 5 women.
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CHRISTY MCMANUS MEMORIAL TOMORROW (press release)
The 2006 Christy McManus Memorial Road Race takes place in Roundwood this Saturday, 25th of March. Bray Wheelers will also host the inaugural Roundwood GP on the same day to cater for elite A category riders. Racing starts at 11am, from Roundwood GAA Club. The course for both races will be circuits of the Roundwood, Rathdrum and Laragh roads. The Christy McManus is sponsored by Frank Duff’s Lounge Bar, Main Street, Bray. Duff's Lounge is Bray's cycling pub - virtually a museum to the exploits of Elliott, Roche, Kelly and others; a great venue for post race analysis.
Roundwood GP
Eligible categories: S1 Distance: 110kms
Start time: 11am
Location: Roundwood GAA Club, Roundwood, County Wicklow
'Pictured (left to right) at the unveiling of details for the 2006 Christy Mc Manus Memorial Race is Bray Wheeler's legend, Peter Doyle; race sponsor Ken Duff; and Bray Wheelers Chairman, John McDermott
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Christy McManus Memorial
Eligible categories: S2, S3, J, V and W
Distance: 80kms
Start time: 11am
Location: Roundwood GAA Club, Roundwood, County Wicklow
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CYCLING LEINSTER COMMEND CARLOW RCC
Cycling Leinster congratulate and thank Carlow RCC for an excellent Des Hanlon Memorial last Sunday, 19th March. Members of the Committee were present at the race, and described it as exceptional. The meticulous planning behind the event was obvious throughout the day - including the car park marshalling, sign-on, race management, changing facilities and refreshments.
In particular, Cycling Leinster congratulate Carlow RCC on their careful attention to all aspects of Race Safety. Advance warning of potholes on the road was given; corners were clean; caution signs were obvious and placed throughout the course; and distances from the finish were clearly marked.
Cycling Leinster recognise and appreciate the effort that Carlow RCC put into the organisation of the race, and feel this provides an excellent standard for other clubs to follow.
Roisin Kennedy.
Secretary, Cycling Leinster.
[In relation to the combined C races, Cycling Leinster would encourage more separate C races, at shorter distances. Riders who are unhappy with the current situation should encourage their own clubs to organise such races.]
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CREDIT UNION RAS MUMHAN 2005 (press release)
Entries are due in next Friday (March 31st) for the Credit Union Ras Mumhan 4 day international cycle race. It takes place in Kerry over the Easter week-end, again this year, from April 14th to 17th. The Race is promoted and sponsored by the Killorglin Credit Union Cycling Club.
This years race is again a 5 stage event and Race Organizer Sean O Callaghan has put together a very interesting and different route .
Stage 1 on Good Friday, the Killorglin Credit Union stage is a 52 mile (83km) race. It will take the riders from the start in Killorglin at 2pm on to Killarney, Farranfore, Castleisland, Tralee, on to the Sliabh Mish climb on the way to Castlemaine, Milltown, and back to Killorglin.
On Saturday Morning at 11am the Valentia Ring is a new stage. The 98 mile (157km) stage starts in Killorglin at 11am and goes down the main road to South Kerry taking in the Drom West climb on the way. After Cahirsiveen the race heads to Portmagee , and onto Valentia Island. After Knightstown the riders will meet 3 climbs before coming off the island and back through Portmagee. There are 3 more climbs in the St Finians Bay area at Raheen, Killurley and Coom , then its into Ballinskelligs and Cahirsiveen and on the main road back through Kells and Glenbeigh again to the finish in Killorglin.
Stage 3 is an early Easter Sunday Morning rise for the 6 mile (10km) Time Trial from Beaufort to Killorglin at 9am.
Sunday afternoon is the new Cahirsiveen Credit Union Criterium stage at 3.30pm. This promises to be the most spectacular for spectators when the 100 plus field will take to the streets of the famous South Kerry town for a town centre race around a circuit of less than a mile (1.5km). The riders will flash around the streets every couple of minutes in the stage that will last for 1 hour plus 5 laps.
Mondays 5th and final stage at 10am is the usual 58 mile Western Union-sponsored stage. The peloton will do 3 laps of the 15 mile Killorglin / Beaufort circuit and then come on to do 4 laps of the Donal McKenna circuit , the traditional finish to the race.
Entries to Race Secretary, Eileen Scully, The Village , Beaufort, Killarney Co. Kerry,on or before 31st March. (contact numbers 064/44791 –087/9906912)
Enquiries can be made to Sean O Callaghan, Race Organizer, Gurrane West, Killorglin Co. Kerry.
Tel/Fax 00 353 87 2630326 ,Mobile 00 353 87 2630326 ,
Email: seanoc21@hotmail.com
The Race is sponsored by Killorglin Credit Union , and supported by Cycling Ireland, Cycling Munster, Western Union, Splash Designs and Cahirsiveen Credit Union.
Note: Details of the route, entry forms and information on accommodation are all available in the Irishcycling.com ‘calendar section’. Click on the link at the top of the page and go to the relevant date.
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P&O IRISH SEA TOUR OF THE NORTH (press release)
14-17 April 2006
Press release 1: Tough Route Announced for Easter Classic.
The Northern Ireland Cycling Federation has announced a tough route for the new-look compact P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North, which takes place over the Easter Weekend (Friday 14th – Monday 17th April)
Stage sponsors include Belfast City Council (Prologue Time Trial, Stormont Friday) Ballymena Borough Council (Saturday) North Down Borough Council (2 Stages on Sunday) and Castlereagh (Monday)
For 2006 as well as the race leaders Yellow Jersey, leaders jerseys for Juniors and Under 23 riders have been introduced, targeting the event at Cyclings `young guns` for whom the P&O Tour provides an ideal introduction to top class stage racing.
Long standing sponsors P&O Irish Sea are again providing free ferry travel from Scotland to the province, making the 4-day 5-stage event more cost effective for UK mainland riders.
The Automobile Association are again supporting the race, sponsoring the King of the Hills competition, with every road stage having at least one climb to decide the leader of that competition.
The opening Prologue 1-mile Time Trial at Stormont is now just 5 weeks away, and Race Director Anthony Mitchell is urging local riders to get their entries in quickly to avoid disappointment.
Press release 2:
The Northern Ireland Cycling Federations flagship P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North 4-day stage race is now only 3 weeks away, and the new 4-day format has proved popular with UK mainland riders, with no fewer than 9 squads sailing in for the Good Friday start.
Entries have now topped the 100 mark, but the organisers are keeping entries open at the original fee for a few more days but warn of a 120-rider limit.
Scotland have seized on the fact that the event now caters for Junior (16-18 year olds) with a separate leaders jersey and prize fund for these young riders. The Scottish Cyclists Union (SCU) are fielding their national Junior squad, led by last years top junior in the event, Ross Creber who finished a creditable 18th. He is joined by Ross Yates, Graeme Laughton, Callum Shields and Andrew Whitehall and the 5 will be managed `on the road` by 1st Category rider James McCallum, currently in Australia representing Scotland at the Commonwealth games.
Fuji Bikes UK, runners up in the Team competition last year are back again, led by Elite rider Gareth Jones and joined by Gareth Pugh, Dafydd Dylan and Iain Roche. Former event winner Andy Proffitt returns with an Arctic Racing Team trio including Elite riders James Dobbin and Danny Axford.
Team Kenesis UK field a `young guns` quartet of Juniors and Under 23s, for whom there is also a separate leaders Jersey competition.
Last years 9th placed rider Peter Hey heads a West Pennine Road Club squad while former British Under 23 Champion Neil Swithenbank (Elite) leads a strong looking MK Cycles-Rudy Project outfit.
With an upsurge in interest from GB, with over 40 riders making the P&O crossing from Scotland, the smart money would be on the Tour of the North crown heading back across the Irish Sea following the 4 days and 5 stages of racing over the Easter weekend.
Local riders are reminded to get their entries in promptly to be assured of a ride. Forms are still available from Davy Ross at davyross@aol.com or on (028) 9336 7703
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TOUR OF ULSTER 2006 (press release)
This year the Tour of Ulster will take place on bank holiday weekend Saturday 29th April - Monday 1st May 2006.
2006 is the 50th anniversary of the very first Tour of Ulster, run by Seamus McGreevey of Newry, from Newry to Bundoran and back. It’s not going to Bundoran this year, but to mark the occasion, the 2006 event will start and finish in Newry. After 50 years, Seamus McGreevey is still very involved in cyclesport, and will be on hand to help out at the 2006 Tour.
While last years winner, David McCann (Giant Asia pro.team) is in Australia for the Commonwealth Games, he is unlikely to make a decision on taking part for some time yet-but the Organiser has already had enquiries from half a dozed top racing teams about the 2006 event.
Main Sponsors for the 2006 event are Newry and Mourne District Council, Cookstown District Council and Omagh District Council. With stage finishes in Newry, Omagh and Cookstown.
Paul Nugent, PR Officer, Tour of Ulster
- Note: information on these and other races can be found in the 'calendar' section on this website. Please check this regularly during the season.
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TAKE THE CHALLENGE IN CYPRUS (press release)
Mountain 2 Sea Mountain Bike Event, Sunday 7th May 2006
The fourth Mountain 2 Sea Mountain Bike Event will be held on Sunday 7th May 2006 in Cyprus. An annual team event, Mountain 2 Sea starts at the top of the spectacular Troodos Mountains in Cyprus and finishes with a dip in the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the small picturesque village of Pissouri.
The biking event in Cyprus, which draws participants from all over Europe including Ireland, UK, France and further afield from the United States and Middle East, sets forth a challenge against the most rugged of landscape and steep slopes. There is a recommended route that is sign-posted and three mandatory checkpoints. However some self-navigation is required for a competitive edge. The teams depart in two minute intervals; once they’ve reached Pissouri Bay there is a 20 metre swim. A finish time is given when the last competitor returns to the beach after the short swim. The total distance of the recommended route is 55 km.
Last year the winning team (CCU II) achieved a fantastic time of only 2hrs and 46 minutes. They were chased down the mountain by the previous year's champions (Follow the Sapper) in another fantastic sub-three hour time of 2hrs and 54 minutes. Third place (The Incredibles) clocked a time of 3 hrs and 8 minutes.
Cyprus is a popular destination for competitive and leisure cycling and mountain biking. There are over 40 designated cycling routes to choose from in the most picturesque parts of the island providing an incomparable biking experience. In addition, cyclists are allowed on all roads of the island (except for the motorway), which provides more scope for self-exploration and travel. The locations are scenically stunning and traffic free.
The cycling routes in Cyprus vary in distance, gradient, difficulty rate and road conditions. They include fully paved routes for hi-speed racing bikes, partly paved routes and completely unpaved routes. There are also rougher terrain routes for serious mountain biking. Set routes reach up to 165 km in distance and up to 1380 m in height gain.
The weather is ideal, especially in the months between October and April, when temperatures range between 15 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. Besides the pleasant temperatures, cycling enthusiasts like the fact that Cyprus does not have the strong headwinds that are found in other Mediterranean countries.
However the most prevalent reason that the country stands out as a haven for cyclists is its compactness. Cyprus is like a whole continent condensed into a small island. The third largest island in the Mediterranean, it combines attractive beaches with pine-clad peaks, busy modern Europeanised towns and tranquil old stone villages, as well as vineyards and olive groves with ancient ruins.
There are professional mountain bike guides available for tourists and many organized events.
For more information on cycling in Cyprus contact Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Ireland at (01) 662 9269 or email cyprusinfo@eircom.net.