American rider Greg Swinand overcame cold, wet conditions and other, more well-known competitors to win yesterday's Christmas Hamper cycling race in Carrick On Suir.
Swinand (33), who has been based in France and Italy in the past, was one of the driving forces in a strong elite group which overcame a nine-minute handicap to dispute the final result.
Although Sean Kelly was at the head of affairs towards the end of the 30 mile race, hopes that he would add to his victories in the event were dashed when the Carrick man eased back on a finishing circuit rendered trecherous by greasy conditions. Instead, Tom Hughes of Stamullen forged ahead in search of the honours, but he was to be foiled by a fast finishing Swinand who crossed the line two seconds clear.
The two-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of the United States will bid for a hat-trick next year, the US Postal team confirmed yesterday, dismissing threats the cyclist was ready to boycott the event.
Mark Gorski, the director general of US Postal, said Armstrong would be on the start line when the peloton gathered for the gruelling 2001 race.
Armstrong, winner in 1999 and 2000, said earlier this week he was ready to pull out of the race over a French judicial investigation into doping allegations involving his team.
