CYCLING: With the last of those involved in the Team Ireland project now home from Belgium, Cycling Ireland (CI) has expressed its satisfaction with the outcome of the 2002 scheme which saw a total of 35 riders take part in races abroad.
Funded by the Irish Sports Council, the project enabled Irish cyclists to spend time living in Belgium this year and learn the ropes with regard to living and competing on the continent.
"We were very happy with how things went this year," said Ciarán McKenna of Cycling Ireland yesterday. "The riders all learnt a huge amount and you could see some real progress with some of them.
"Next year we are looking at increasing the quality of races they do and looking for some bigger results, but that said we are adopting a long-term approach in that we think the real benefits will be seen three or four years down the line."
Run under the guidance of Irish international Eugene Moriarty, the Team Ireland project saw CI rent a house in Belgium and subsidise the stay of riders who spent varying amounts of time training and racing there. The model has drawn praise from a number of quarters, with British Cycling thought to be considering adopting a similar approach.
Unsurprisingly, CI have said they intend to continue with the Team Ireland set-up next year.
In cyclo-cross, the third round of the national league takes place Sunday in Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
Irish champion Robin Seymour was the dominant victor last Saturday at the Big Wood venue up north and has taken a six-point lead in the overall standings.
Second is Don Travers, 51 points to Seymour's 57, with Roger Aitken and round one winner Michael Mulvenna equal third in the rankings.
Sunday's race is expected to be mainly flat and so high speeds are expected. Underage racing starts at 12 noon with the remainder of the field setting off one hour later. More information is available from Liam Walker at 045 481755.
National cyclo-cross league standings, after two races: 1, Robin Seymour (Team WORC) 57 points; 2, D Travers (Banbridge CC) 51; 3, R Aitken (Banbridge CC) 44; 4, M Mulvenna (Ards CC) 44; 5, R Lammont (XMTB) 38; 6, A McDonald (Apollo CT); 7, L Ferguson (XMTB) 32; 8, K Meghen (unattached) 28.
Fixtures - Sunday 3rd: National cyclo cross league round 3, Kilcullen Co. Kildare. Underage starts 12 noon, main race at 1 p.m.
