CYCLING: Robin Seymour and Tarja Owens have an opportunity this weekend to further extend their remarkable records in the mountain bike cross-country championships when they aim to win their ninth and eighth national titles ly.
Seymour, who is competing this season with the Italian Mapei off-road team, and Owens, now based in the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland, have returned for the championships which are taking place this Sunday in the Kilruddery Estate, near Bray.
According to the race organisers, a strong field is expected to line out, with the UCI points on offer acting as an added incentive.
Practice starts tomorrow, with the first races beginning at noon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, two of the medallists from the recent Irish road race championships have been named to the Irish team for today's Manx International in the Isle of Man. The 2002 title-holder, Mark Scanlon, and bronze medallist Tommy Evans will join forces with their VC La Pomme team-mate Denis Lynch and the Volksbank Ideal professional David McCann in the tough, world-ranked event.
Following strong displays from Irish riders in recent years, it is hoped that the four will have a real impact on the race. McCann won the prestigious contest in 1996 and was second in 2000, while Evans placed third last year. Scanlon and Lynch should also shine, given their recent form.
In other news, the organisers of the Junior Tour of Ireland have received a significant boost with the announcement of a new sponsorship deal for the under-18 race.
Businessman Martin Donnelly, who has sponsored the Clare hurling and Meath football teams in the past and currently backs the Stamullen Road Club, has become the main sponsor of the six-day international contest, which will be held from August 6th-11th in the Waterford region.
The most obvious benefit of the backing is a return to longer distances in the race, as the organisers have been able to revert from the evening stages which have been characteristic of the more recent editions. This in turn should ensure even greater overseas participation this year.
Given that this will make the event tougher for the home riders, it is fortunate that the recent spate of cancellations on the domestic calendar have been met with the announcement of two new events.
The Cycleways Lee Strand GP will take place on Sunday in Narraghmore, Co Kildare, and is open to all categories; more information on this meet is available from Liam Walker at 087 6441565.
And next Saturday sees the addition of the BH Raleigh Grand Prix in Rathmolyon, County Meath. Contact Cian Lynch at 087 7971254 for more details.
WEEKEND FIXTURES - Saturday: Balivor GP, 7.30 pm; Midleton Criterium, Ballincurra, 6.0 pm. Sunday: Cycleways Lee Strand GP, Narraghmore, 1.0 pm; Jim O'Leary Memorial, Bandon Road, Cork, 12.0; Irish XC MTB championships, Kilruddery Estate, Bray, under-age/sports races (12.0), other events 1.30 pm.
