CYCLING:SPRINTING IN to the fore of the large main bunch, Pezula Racing rider Ciarán Power placed a fine 10th on yesterday's seventh stage of the Tour of Qinghai Lake in China. Tom Veelers (Skil-Shimano) won the 214 kilometre leg to Xining.
Belfast rider David McCann also finished in the same time and thus defended his excellent second place overall. He is just nine seconds behind Hossein Askari (Tabriz Petrochemical Team), and is also seventh in the points ranking and 10th in the mountains classification. McCann showed his strong form with second place in the opening prologue of the race one week ago. He was 17th on day three, 11th on stage five and seventh one day later.
The 2.HC event continues today with a 150.8kms leg from Xining to Menyuan and, with a very difficult climb coming in the second half of the stage, McCann will be hoping to fare well in the shake-up of the general classification.
In other news, multiple champion Robin Seymour has the chance to take a remarkable 15th successive win in the Irish cross-country championships in Kilruddery on Sunday. The Team WORC rider is preparing for the Olympic Games in Beijing and hopes to continue his winning streak. Last year he beat Niall David (IMBRC) and Irish cyclocross champion Roger Aiken (Banbridge CC).
Tarja Owens (Team WORC) is expected to return to chase her 13th title. She won 12 in a row but was beaten into second place last year by Beth McCluskey (Epic).
The main programme of races for elite men and women, masters, experts and juniors will start at 1.30pm. Highly-placed elite riders will get world ranking points.
Meanwhile, there was good racing at the Murphy and Gunn International Grand Prix in Sundrive Road last weekend. John Lynch (Bray) beat Brendan Whelan (Lucan) and Paul Dolan (Usher IRC) to win the senior omnium, while Aideen Collard (Orwell Dundrum Town Centre) got the better of Rachel Withers (Fintona) and Fionnuala Ní Bhrádaigh (Bray).
The tandem omnium was fought out between several pairings, including the An Post-backed riders who will compete in the Paralympics. Dave Peelo and Michael Delaney beat John Lynch and Andrew Fitzgerald, with Ní Bhrádaigh and Catherine Walsh third.
WEEKEND FIXTURES - Saturday: IVCA 10-mile TT championships, Enfield, 9.15; Track racing, Sundrive Road, 11am; Youth cycling league, Ballinrobe racecourse. 11.30am; Ballivor Festival race, 7pm. Saturday/Sunday: Irish XC championships, Kilruddery Estate, Bray. Racing starts Sunday at noon, main events at 1.30pm; Irish DH NPS Round Four, Mallow.
Sunday: Dublin Wheelers 75th Anniversary race, Dunboyne. Youth events at 11am, senior races at 1pm; Tuam road race.
