CyclingIrish cycling is in shock with the news of the sudden death of Brian Lennon on Monday. The St Tiernan's CC rider collapsed a short while after a training spin and was unable to be revived.

Brian was regularly placed in the country's top events, with several Leinster championship medals to his name and top-six finishes in the national road race championships and the national under-23 championships.

He also recorded many big wins over the years in Irish races.

Brian was regarded as one of the most "honest" of riders, one who would give every last ounce of energy driving a breakaway group along.

That characteristic may have cost him some victories over the years, but it earned him a huge amount of respect from his fellow riders.

Returning to training recently after a bad cold, Brian had been in the final stages of preparation for what would have been his third FBD Milk Rás.

His ambition of riding abroad on an Irish team seemed a real possibility, with national selector Martin O'Loughlin yesterday confirming he was in the running for a place in the green jersey later in the season.

"Brian was a great guy and also a very good bike rider," said O'Loughlin. "He had a lot of friends in the bunch. It's so hard to take in what has happened, it is a huge shock."

The 28-year-old is survived by his parents, Sid and Teresa, and his long-term girlfriend, Lynn.

His funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. tomorrow in the Church of the Miraculous Medal on Bird Avenue, Clonskeagh.

May he rest in peace.