Focus on the track set to intensify

CYCLING NEWS:  HEADING OUT of this Olympic year, Cycling Ireland (CI) is looking to London 2012 with the aim of having several contenders for medals at the Games. The governing body is about to begin advertising for a new high performance manager, and expects to have an expanded track racing programme in 2009 and beyond.

British Cycling dominated this year's games, winning eight gold medals, four silvers and two bronze, and its haul showed that the decision taken well over a decade ago to focus resources on track competition was correct. While no one expects Irish riders to achieve the same quantity of success as their counterparts in Britain, it is clear the sheer number of track events in the Games and at the world championships provides a greater range of possibilities and options.

This explains CI's increasing emphasis in this area. "What we are planning is a continuation of what is being done in the last few years," said chief executive Geoff Liffey yesterday. "The area of high performance will be heavily track-orientated. That is at the direction of the Sports Council. The reason behind that is that track racing is viewed as being more measurable and scientific, so they can more actively track the progress. That contrasts with road racing, which is more open to chance and random events."

Last week six riders - David O'Loughlin (sixth in this year's world pursuit championships), David McCann, Paul Healion, Martyn Irvine, Seán Downey and Aaron Buggle did a track training camp in Aigle. More riders are expected to join this squad in time, including those from CI's talent transfer and talent identification programmes.

CI is aiming to secure funding to send riders to World Cup events. It is also hopes Ireland will eventually get its first indoor velodrome, which would greatly boost the prospects for Irish riders.

Three tenders have been submitted for a track north of the Border. If one of these tenders is approved for funding, Liffey states that the earliest possible date of completion is late 2011.

In the meantime, the excellent prospects of young professionals such as Daniel Martin and Nicolas Roche are a boost to the road racing element of the sport here.

Saturday: Ulster cyclo cross championships, Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor, first race at noon. CI Track Commission first aid course, Presentation College, Bray, 9.45.

Sunday: Connacht MTB League round four, Tourmakeady Wood, Co Mayo, noon.