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| Welcome |
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Welcome to Mountain Bike Ireland. Please register to get the most out of the site. Registered users can post news, articles, photos and also have access to the forum and classified sections plus you can also rate and comment on content you find on the site. Once you register and log in you will see your user panel which will allow you to upload content to the site.
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| Apollo CT MTB race - September 4th |
Apollo Cycling Club of Lurgan invite you to a cross country mountain bike race at Craigavon Lakes Watersports Centre on Saturday September 4th. The venue and course layout offer interest to riders of all skill levels as the 3 mile course is a mix of single track, open grass land (plus hill!) and open trails. There will be a separate grass track for the under 10/8 year old riders to race on.
Craigavon Watersports Centre offers excellent toilet and shower facilities on site and there is a café in the Centre. The trails are open to the public for cycling and on the day before the race the course will be marked out using yellow markers from about 3pm onwards.
Craigavon Watersports Centre is situated just off roundabout 3 on the main Portadown to Lurgan road. If
leaving the M1 motorway come off at junction 10 and follow the signs for “Craigavon Centre” then look for
the signs for the “Watersports Centre” at roundabout 3.
Registration open from 11.00 –12.30pm.
Race Programme
12.00 U12
12.01 U10
12.02 U8
12.30 U16
12.31 Sports men / women
12.32 U14
14.00 Elite men
14.01 Elite women
14.02 Juniors
14.03 Experts
14.04 Masters
14.05 Veterans
Further details e mail Fred.macsorley@chwl.gp.n-i.nhs.uk or phone evenings 02838331266 |
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| XC Marathon 'Da Cooley Thriller' 2009 |
Yes its back, ‘Da Cooley Thriller’ is about to peddle off once more on Saturday 28th, August 2010. Set in the Cooley Mountains just outside Carlingford, Co. Louth the route, approx. 52km, will take riders on a complete traverse of the Cooley Mountains, taking in some of the Táin Trail and forest tracks to some roller coaster natural single trails once navigated by the bold Cuchulainn himself. Starting in the village with a mass start.
Check out the website for updates:- http://dacooleythriller.wordpress.com/
DIRECTIONS
Carlingford is very simple to find coming from North, South or West. (Google Map Link)
- From the South & West Make your way to the M1, driving North and take exit 18 and following the directions fro the R173 to Carlingford. Once you get onto this road its roughly 18km to the turn for Carlingford at Millgrange, take the left run here and this will bring you into Carlingford Village. When you arrive at the village, pass the Four Seasons hotel on your left, and take the right immediately after this down to the Sailing Club which is down the end of this road on your left.
From the North Make your way to Newry, following the signs for Dublin following the A2. When you get the centre of Newry, follow the signs for Omeath / Carlingford R173, you will take a left along the quay in front of the Quays shopping centre. Follow this road down, taking a left at the end, this brings you onto the R173, it’s a straight road from here to Carlingford When you arrive at the village, pass the Castle on your left, and take the left immediately before the Four Seasons Hotel, after this drive down to the Sailing Club which is down the end of this road on your left. 3.
PARKING
There is plenty of parking available in the Carlingford Sailing Club. Also, plenty of parking in Carlingford Village .
REGISTRATION
Sign-on is at Carlingford Sailing Club and is open on Friday evening from 7pm – 8pm and on Saturday morning from 8am – 9.15am.
XC ‘Thriller’ EVENT TIMETABLE
Friday 27th
7pm – 8pm Race Registration/Sign-on
Saturday 28th
8am Race Registration Opens
9.15 am Registration closes
9.40 am Race Briefing
9.50 am All bikers to go to the start line in the village
10:00 am Race Start (Very Sharp) There is one mass start only.
2pm onwards finish in, Carlingford
3.30 pm Food, and Prize Giving at the sailing Club (when final finisher arrives – respect !!) Showers available at the sailing club.
COURSE MAP
The ’09 GPS map of the course http://connect.garmin.com/activity/12618682 has an extra 7k added to this year’s route. Long Course 52k approx. (11k on surfaced road) Short/Sport Course 21k (7k on surfaced road)
We are using a single lap once again this year, the full course about 7k of single track added and is approx. 52km long at this stage and should be pretty fast flowing. They will be a shorter option (17k) for those riders that just want to take part but feel the 52k loop a wee bit too long. The race itself peddles off at 10am with all riders starting in a mass start. Once around the Church in Carlingford there will be no bottle necks as it is a long forest fire track to start with.
Along the way you’ll peddle on/up/over/down/through/across and along The Táin Trail, The Devil’s Elbow, Black Run, Roller Coaster, Quad Tracks, Ray’s Loop, The Castles, Aidans Canyon, Skull Alley, CLEC Route, Goylin Pass, Black Ski Run, Carlingford.................Home Sweet Home !!!! |
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| Kippure Challenge Round 3 25th July 2010 |
Race Information
After the success of the XC Championships in 2008 and K-Capital Challenge Race Series final stage in 2009, Kippure Estate has entered into talks with Coillte, Wicklow County Tourism and Wicklow Rural Partnership to develop permanent mountain bike trails in the Athdown woods opposite the entrance to the estate. Coillte are very open to the idea and in conjunction with all parties a feasibility study is to be commissioned to look into the routes available, costing, etc.
The course for the first round is approx. 3km loop within the grounds of Kippure Estate, loads of singletrack and one nice fireroad climb and will include some interesting features along the way. The climbs aren't too hard, everything is rideable for beginners.
The relatively short loop will make it great for the spectators.
There is ample parking, acommadation & coffee shop on the grounds of the estate.
Race Categories
There will be an A and B category for Sports:
A for riders who have reasonable experience on a bike
B for complete beginners
Other categories will be:
Women
Under 16
Under 14
Under 12
Under 10
Under 8.
Schedule
Sign On will be open from 10am. Make sure to get signed on as early as possible
11:00 Under 8/10/12
12:00 Under 14/16, Sports B & Women
13:00 Sports A
Race Entry
Entry fee will be minimal (all underage will be free entry) but one day licences will be compulsory.
Race Entry fee for the underage is free.
Race Entry fee for the sports A & B Women is €10
Day licences will be available on the day priced at €5 for underage, €10 for 16-18 year olds, €20 for adults
More information is available here:
http://www.irishxcmtb.com/Ref_docs/Irish_Offroad_Race_Licence_information.pdf
Online registration
We would really appreciate if you could take the time to fill in the online registration form. Firstly, this gives us an idea of who will be attending so that we can cater for everyone.
Secondly (and more importantly), We can put your details into the computer timing system in advance of the race to speed up the sign on process.
http://bit.ly/cEEEON
Directions
http://www.kippure.com/travel-directions.htm
Google Map - http://bit.ly/9WfkPX
More Info
Kippure Website
http://www.kippure.com
The Flyer
http://www.adventurewicklow.com/Summer_Series_Beginner_Mountain_Bike_Race.pdf
IMBRC - Post on the forum and we can answer any questions
http://imbrc.com/forum
Follow us on Facebook/twitter
http://www.facebook.com/kippure
http://twitter.com/KippureEstate
http://twitter.com/imbrc
http://www.facebook.com/pages/IMBRC-Irish-Mountain-Bike-Racing-Club/316207487946
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| 12 Hour Team/Solo Mountain bike race |
Introducing Irelands first 12 hour XC Mountain Bike Race, taking place later this year on Saturday the 7th of August.
Set in the grounds of Bellurgan Park Estate in County Louth, the course will be an extension of the Leinster XC Championship round. This inaugural XC event, powered by the members of Cuchulainn CC, will consist of a solo category and teams of two and four riders.
The event will be chipped, riders swap chip in the pits, with each team being assigned a pit area at the start/finish straigh. Overnight camping is available, together with safe parking, hot showers, microwaves and toilet facilities on site.
More details to follow in the coming weeks in the run up to the event.
Categories
• Solo, 2 or 4 person teams
• Categories: Male, Female or Mixed
Format
•12 hrs non stop
• 8.30am to 8.30pm
• Most laps wins
• Team Event – Each rider must complete 2 laps
• 10k loop
Entry Fee
€60 Solo Rider
€120 Team of two
€220 Team of Four
To register visit
http://www.runireland.com/events/2010-08-07/bellurgan-park-12-hour-mtb-xc-race
See http://twelvehourmountainbikerace.wordpress.com/ for further information.
Hope to see ye on the 7th!
An update on the Bellurgan 12 hour solo/ team relay xc mountain bike race.
A video showing a sample of the singletrack being used can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUdDYp_r87A with full laps taking roughly 1 hour, most of which is singletrack through the forest in the Belurgan Estate.
Sponsorship:
Niall Clarke Oils have come onboard to sponsor the category prizes. We will also have free Lucozade and Kellogs products on the day to help keep ye going and getting those laps in.
As mentioned already, camping is available on Friday and Saturday, with cooking facilities and hot showers. Pit area’s will also be given to each team at the start finish area.
For more information see http://twelvehourmountainbikerace.wordpress.com/
For registration see http://www.runireland.com/events/2010-08-07/bellurgan-park-12-hour-mtb-xc-race
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| Tour de France live on TG4.... |
TG4 has announced details of its exclusive live television coverage of Tour de France 2010, the most famous cycling race in the world. All three weeks of the Tour will be broadcast live on TG4 (see times below). There will be an average of three hours of live coverage each day as well as a 30 minute highlights package every night that will include previews, cyclist profiles, results and reports.
Running from Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 25th 2010, the 97th Tour de France will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,600 kilometres. It is an epic undertaking as a total of 22 team’s cycle around France for three weeks.The race will begin with the Grand Start in Rotterdam on Saturday 3rd July with TG4’s live coverage beginning at 4:50pm and see’s the rider’s cycle around the streets of the famous Dutch town. After a start launched from Brittany in 2008 and an unusual time-trial start from Monaco in 2009, this year’s Tour Start from Rotterdam returns to a more traditional format. The itinerary through the city centre, crossing the Erasmus Bridge in both directions, is a flat straight, not too winding and is an ideal itinerary for time-trial specialists.
The channel’s viewers will be able to follow live action from Le Tour 2010 tracking the unfolding drama until the exciting conclusion in Champs Élysées in Paris on Sunday 25th July. Commentary will be provided by Páidí Ó Lionáird and Pádraic Ó Cuinn. The Tour will also be broadcast live on www.tg4.tv and the website will also offer updates, statistics and other Tour data. The coverage will also include various viewers competitions giving everybody the chance to win some fabulous prizes.
This unique sports event holds many fond memories for Irish people after Stephen Roche won the tour in 1987 while Seán Kelly made 14 tour appearances. Nicolas Roche, who is the son of former cycling champion Stephen Roche, cycles with the Ag2r-La Mondiale team and made his Tour de France debut last year. He had a fine debut Tour, finishing in 23rd place overall & twice narrowly missing out on a stage win when finishing 2nd on Stage 14 & 4th on Stage 16.
Welcoming the announcement TG4 Sports Editor Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said; “We are thrilled to be showing the Tour for the sixth successive year. Following on the success of our inaugural coverage of the Tour in 2005, we are confident that Irish viewers will continue to appreciate free to air access to the world’s most famous cycle race”.
TG4 has exclusive live television coverage in Ireland for the Tour de France up to Summer 2012. |
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| 2010 IRISH NATIONAL DOWNHILL CHAMPIONSHIPS |
The 2010 Irish National Downhill Championships take place in the picturesque and spectacular venue of Kilbroney Forest, Rostrevor, Co. Down on the weekend of August 14/15th. Widely regarded as the best and most challenging DH course in Ireland the track offers a mix of outright pedal power and savage technical sections to test the best. Hosted by the Chain Reaction Club and with timing by NACC the event organisation standard will as usual be high. The focal point of the Irish season is always massively supported by the strong local DH and XC community and with special permission to move the Champs date to August to avoid race clashes this will be the biggest and best ever Irish Champs.
The Chain Reaction Club has secured sponsorship from Monster as well as a massive prize fund of goodies and struck a great deal with Stena Line for those riders wanting to taste Irish DH racing and the world famous Irish craic and a touch of the black stuff.
Spectators can enjoy the craic and a touch of the black stuff in the nearby village of Rostrevor and town of Warrenpoint. Camping will be permitted in the finish field and there’s plenty of accommodation options available locally. Only 41 miles from Belfast, 66 miles from Larne and 74 miles from Dublin there are plenty of ferry options as well as airports at both Belfast and Dublin with similar mileage.
Chain Reaction Cycles will also be fundraising during registration and at the weekend and riders have an opportunity to win Signed Jerseys from current World Champion Steve Peat as well as Josh Bryceland, The Atherton's, Scott Beaumont, Rizla/Suzuki World Super Bike Team, CRC Intense team, John Tomac and Nico Voullez..
Other goodies due to be raffled include Mavic Deemax Ultimate Wheelset, Shimano Saint Groupset, Identiti Krisis SL Frame, DMR Exalt Frame, Marzocchi 4X RC3 Forks + Much Much More.
Further information can be found at www.IrishDH.com
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| Adventure Seekers Race To Tame The Lough Derg Monster |
Sports Academy International (Sports AI) and the University of Limerick Activity Centre have announced details of Ireland’s newest adventure event in Killaloe, County Clare, today.
The Lough Derg Monster, which takes place on Saturday July 24th, is a team-only event and will challenge participants to kayak, cycle and run around Lough Derg and the scenic hills of East Clare .
The 52km course will feature a kayak section (1.5m) across the sheltered waters of Lough Derg, two cycle sections (38km in total) through Ballycuggeran forest and the East Clare Way, and three separate runs (13km in total) through the Crag Hill and around the lake.
Tomas Madigan, CEO of Sports AI said the Lough Derg Monster was being organised in response to a resurgence in the popularity of adventure sports across Ireland.
Mr. Madigan explained: “There has been a huge surge in interest among outdoor enthusiasts and sports people in recent years in relation to adventure sports and events such as this. The success of our Tri3 series in Galway, Cahir and Kilrush has underlined the demand for adventure events and we are delighted to be able to organise this unique event for the Mid West region”.
“The event will provide competitors with a healthy, challenging workout and an opportunity to enjoy one of Ireland’s most scenic locations”, he added.
The progress of participants through the challenging course will be measured with the use of SPORTIdent electronic timing equipment, part of which requires competitors to wear a small device on their wrist.
Prizes will be awarded to teams of two that finish first in the following categories: All Male, All Female, Mixed, Junior (combined age less than 40), Veteran (combined age over 80), and first-time adventure racers.
Course Information:
- Stage 1: Bike 27km. Teams will start this race in the saddle; the initial climb through Ballycuggeran forest will be on gravel roads. Then will come the most technical bike section teams descend over loose ground on a section of the East Clare Way. Soon after it is back onto sealed roads before finally rejoining the forest gravel roads.
-Stage 2: Hill run 7km. This is mainly on forest roads but will take in some good old Irish bog and a couple of streams
-Stage 3: Bike 9km. This section takes team through the final forest section before descending on sealed country roads to the bike drop point.
-Stage 4: Run 1km. This short run will take teams form the bike transition to the Kayak start.
-Stage 5: Kayak 1.5km. The kayak section will take place on the sheltered waters of Lough Derg in Double sit-on-top kayaks
-Stage 6: Hill run 5km. This final test will take teams on the narrow and steep trails of crag hill on a scenic loop, finishing back at UL Activity Centre.
For further information on the Lough Derg Monster or to register for the event visit www.loughdergmonster.com. A registration fee of €100 for teams of two includes kayaks and all safety equipment. Participants must provide their own bicycle. |
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| THE NATIONALS ARE COMING HOME.... |
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EPIC MTB announces the 2010 K Capital Irish XC National Championships
Djouce Woods, Co Wicklow - 17 & 18 July, 2010
Wicklow, Ireland, 11 June, 2010 | EPIC MTB today announces that Irish Cross Country is coming home this year with the ‘K Capital Irish XC National Championships’ to be held in Djouce Woods on 17 & 18 July 2010. This superb venue offers everything that is great about Irish mountain biking. The venue, coupled with EPIC MTB’s track record in coordinating world-class competitive events, guarantees the success of the 2010 Championships. EPIC MTB will build on the success of the 2009 ‘EPIC Blast’ which won the much-coveted Irish Cycling Event of the Year in 2009 and the 2010 championships will showcase Irish Cross Country MTB racing to an international standard.
To ensure success, EPIC MTB have teamed up with FD K Capital Source (K Capital), strong supporters of Cross Country MTB, both nationally and internationally. EPIC’s drive and determination matched with K Capital’s passion for the sport is a winning combination that is sure to deliver a world-class event.
In addition to 10 races covering all MTB categories, the event will feature an all-day DJ, food and beverage stalls, streamed race footage, a children’s bouncing castle, face painting and much more. In addition to K Capital as lead sponsor, EPIC is pleased to welcome Grange Motors, Stevens bikes, Moto-Pitstop, Spoke.ie, Saddle Skedaddle, Hivar Engineering, Auto Care, U-Pak, and Clear Division as sponsors of the event.
Richie Byrne, Founder of EPIC MTB, commented “Mountain Biking is coming home to the best venue in Ireland for the K Capital XC Irish Championships this year. We are truly excited about the opportunity to build on the success of the EPIC Blast in 2009 and bring Irish XC racing up to a truly international standard. The event will showcase world class Irish and international riders and also the awe inspiring venue that is Djouce Woods.”
He added “We believe this event will continue to broaden the appeal of Mountain Biking in Ireland and we have a full range of competitive events covering the Junior, Sports, Masters and Elite categories. We are also pleased to partner again with the K Capital team whose commitment to the sport is second to none.”
For more details see www.epicmtb.com
To keep track of the build up, check out Richie Byrne’s Blog: http://epicmtbracing.blogspot.com/
Contacts
EPIC MTB Luke Smaul lukesmaul@gmail.com +353 87 950 7114
FD K Capital Source Jonathan Neilan Jonathan.neilan@fd.com +353 86 231 4135
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| New €1.6m pathway for Co Mayo |
Outdoor enthusiasts will benefit from a 17.5km off-road cycling and walkway built on an abandoned rail line along the Mayo coast, it emerged today.
The €1.6 million redevelopment running east to west from Newport to Mulranny may also be extended northward to Westport, or further west to Achill Sound.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said the new route, redeveloped from the Midland Great Western Railway line, would serve as a catalyst for other similar schemes across the country.
“I believe [it] offers a vision of the future,” the Minister said. “People from all over Ireland can make use of this world-class route and I am sure it will act as a catalyst for other routes to be developed all across the country.
“Not only will this remove the barriers in peoples’ minds when it comes to cycling, it will greatly increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a tourism destination, and create jobs in local economies.”
Failte Ireland said activity holiday visitors spent more than €1 billion in Ireland in 2008. |
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| The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia to attract thousands of cyclists to County Clare |
Ireland is set to become home to an annual international cycling event organised by the world’s largest sports, entertainment and media company.
IMG today, in partnership with Sky, Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Development, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Clare County Council, announced details of the country’s first closed road cycle event.
The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia will take place over an 80-mile (approx) course in scenic County Clare on Sunday, August 22nd 2010.
The event organisers expect to attract 2000 entrants from throughout Ireland and abroad this year, bringing significant economic benefit into the local economy, with numbers increasing considerably over the next five years. The mass participation event, which is being marketed internationally and nationally, is open to all standards of cyclists, aged 18-80. The cycle will start and finish in Ennis and travel through County Clare, taking in part of West Clare’s spectacular coastline.
Sky, the UK and Ireland’s leading entertainment company behind the Sky Ride series of events, is the title sponsor of The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. The sponsorship supports Sky’s aim to encourage one million more people of all ages and abilities to get cycling by 2013. Sky Ride consists of a range of initiatives to get people back on their bikes, with activities like mass city cycling events on traffic-free streets through to local group rides.
As well as Sky Ride Etape Hibernia, IMG have extensive experience organising mass participation events including the internationally renowned events the Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia, Tour de Suisse, Melbourne Marathon, The London Triathlon, Triathlon de Alpe d’Huez and UK Challenge
Speaking at today’s event launch in Spanish Point, County Clare, Jo Dytch of IMG said: “The popularity and growth in road cycling is very exciting. Along with our partners we are looking to lead the way in providing a prestige event for cycling in Ireland and to establish a major fixture on the Irish sporting calendar delivering a significant boost to the local economy. This event will bring a welcome boost to the tourism in Clare annually and will see the most scenic parts of the County and its coastline exposed to the world’s cycling enthusiasts and media.”
Ms. Dytch continued: “Sky Ride Etape Hibernia is Ireland's first closed road cycle event and is open to the general public. It affords cyclists with the unique opportunity to cycle safely on closed roads, whilst rising to the physical challenge at the same time. We expect to draw enthusiasts, the health conscious, challenge-seekers, charity fund-raisers and lapsed cyclists. For the inaugural Etape Hibernia, we hope to attract as many as 2000 entrants and plan to grow this number considerably by 2014. IMG are grateful for the support of the title sponsor Sky, and regional sponsors Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Development, Clare County Council, and the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, without whom staging this event in Ireland would not be possible and we look forward to making it a legacy event for the region”.
Mark Deering, Director, Sky Ireland said, “We are proud to be the main sponsor for the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. Our Sky Ride initiatives last year encouraged thousands of people to get on their bikes. We hope, through events and sponsorships such as this, that 2010 will provide more opportunities and inspiration for people to get cycling.”
Speaking about today’s announcement Keith McCormack, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Business and Sports Tourism, emphasised: “As a national tourism authority, we are glad to be ‘in the saddle’ for the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia. This event is a perfect fit for Fáilte Ireland’s sports strategy and our commitment to promoting all of Ireland’s regions as tourism destinations. This event allows us to harness the growing popularity of cycling to the natural charms and allure of County Clare and the Mid West. As well as bringing visitors and revenue to the area, the event will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the Shannon Region as both a cycling destination, in particular, and a tourism ‘must see’ in general.”
Welcoming the event John King, Assistant Chief Executive of Shannon Development said, “Shannon Development, along with its partners, is delighted to have helped secure this very prestigious event for the Shannon Region for the next five years. Winning this event helps us build on our campaign to promote the Region’s growing reputation as a leading sports and events destination. Etape Hibernia is one of a number of international events we are working on this year to bring additional visitors to the Shannon Region which have the potential to generate 10 million euro in new revenue for the Region. This new cycling event complements our strategy to secure more mass participation events, in particular sports events, which can be firmly rooted in the Shannon Region for many years to come.”
Mr. King noted that the Lonely Planet ‘Best in Travel 2010’ guide’s inclusion of Clare in its top 10 list of ‘Super Cycling Routes in the World’ was a great endorsement of the County’s cycling product. “This endorsement is a testament to the amount of work that has gone into the development of the tourism cycling product in Clare in recent times. We look forward to working with IMG and our partners to ensure the success of this event in terms of delivering additional visitors and revenue”, concluded Mr. King.
Karen Brosnahan of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau noted: “Sports Tourism generates approximately 60 million euro for the Shannon Region annually. We, along with Shannon Development and Failte Ireland, have recently launched a Sports Ambassador Programme to capitalise on this lucrative market even further by getting local people involved in sport to help bid for events like Etape Hibernia that can become legacy events for the entire Shannon Region."
Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy said the economic and tourist benefits associated with the event for County Clare and the wider region were significant. “I have no doubt that the people of Clare will support the event by joining Clare County Council in welcoming thousands of cyclists to the County, which will allow us to showcase all we have to offer. I especially welcome IMG’s commitment to working with local people to maximise the economic return of the event for all local people”, stated Mayor Mulcahy.
The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia was launched today at an event in The Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare, which was attended by media outlets from throughout Ireland the United Kingdom. A number of attending journalists also took part in an arranged cycle of a 10-mile stretch of the proposed event route.
Details of The Sky Ride Etape Hibernia are available from www.etapehibernia.com or info@etapehibernia.com. |
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| Quick interview with Joe McCall |
After yesterdays victory in St. Anne's Park in Dublin we caught up with the new cyclocross national champion to ask him a few quick questions.
mtbireland: Well it's been a long time coming Joe but how do you feel now that you're National Cyclocross Champion?
Joe: Thank God that’s over, that’s how I feel! It is great being a national champ. It’s a niche discipline in a niche sport, but its still good to win.
mtbireland: I have to ask about the age thing, at 37 years young do you think it's age is an issue in cross?
Joe: Sure it is. Age is an issue now in everything I do, biking, getting out of bed, etc. Everything is just a little bit more tiring.
mtbireland: Coming into the race how confident were you feeling?
Joe: Very confident. You have to be confident in cross. Its so friggin hard that you cant have any doubt. I considered myself the favorite and rode the race that way.
mtbireland: Were the cross champs a specific target for you?
Joe: Absolutely. Time is limited these days and training for cross is not too time consuming.
mtbireland: What has your preparation been like the past few months?
Joe: Prep was ok. I’m not living the life of a pro, day to day things are all in there.
mtbireland: What about specific cross training?
Joe: Yeah, that’s where this year was different. I did Robins Tuesday night training and Marks ghetto cross races at the weekend. Also, riding in and out was work was great, every light, every corner was a sprinting opportunity.
mtbireland: About the race? Did you have any specific tactics on the day?
Joe: Fla’ ou’ (that means flat out)
mtbireland: How do you think the absence of Robin, Roger and Conor affected things?
Joe: It made the race easier for me, that’s for sure. After the 3rd lap I was able to back off and maintain the gap. I would have preferred if the guys were riding, I think I had the form to be very competitive. I would have still rode the race for the win.
mtbireland: Cross has gained a lot more interest in this country in the past few years, why do you think that is?
Joe: Because people are finally seeing that its actually the best sport in the world. No other cycling disciplines are you so out of control for so long. If you rode like that in XC or DH, you would be in hospital. I was sideways everywhere for 1 hour!
mtbireland: You did your first cross champs in 1991 and finished 3rd. How has the sport changed?
Joe: Better bikes, better riders, INFINITLY better courses.
mtbireland: Stilly question but for the 2010/2011 season will you be back to defend your title?
Joe: Defo, should be up north next year so hopefully I’ll get to ride against Roger, Conor, Lewis, Glenn etc. |
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