Collins goes close at Stamullen

OLYMPIC track pursuit qualifier Philip Collins went close to his third win in three weeks at Stamullen yesterday.

Nearing the end of the race over six laps of a circuit of 12 miles he was out in front with two of his AMEV clubmates but Shane Baker got the verdict over Collins with Karl Donnelly third.

Collins now goes to the three-day event in the Vendee Region in France before his final preparations for Atlanta.

The AMEV trio went two minutes and 40 seconds ahead of Barry Monaghan. Collins and Donnelly were joined by Baker on the last lap and they did not contest the final sprint but Baker crossed the line ahead of Collins and Donnelly.

In the World Cup mountain bike race at Houffalize in Belgium yesterday Martin Earley and Robin Seymour were the only Irish finishers. Christophe Dupouey of France won in two hours and 43 minutes with Earley 49th at 17 minutes and 11 seconds and Seymour was 77th at 30:27.

Alastair Martin did not qualify but got through to the final 130th place on a withdrawal. However, he had mechanical trouble on the first lap and was forced to retire and Richie McCauley did not qualify for the main event.