McCann finishes in third place

CYCLING Column: Giant Asia professional David McCann finished a fine third on the sixth stage of the Tour of Qinghai Lake yesterday.

The Belfastman led home the main bunch one minute and 27 seconds behind Ryan Cox (Barloworld-Valsir), who got the better of McCann's team-mate Ghader Mizbani in their two-up gallop to the line.

McCann has been riding solidly in the 2.HC-ranked Chinese event, finishing with the main bunch on Tuesday and then placing 16th on Wednesday's tough 202-kilometre stage to Guide.

He heads into today's leg 15th overall, eight minutes and 45 seconds behind the overall leader Martin Mares of the Ed'System-Zvvz team. The race continues until Sunday.

Former national road race champion Julie O'Hagan came out best in the seventh round of the Boot Inn league on Wednesday evening. The All Systems Dublin Wheelers's rider beat Caitriona Jennings (unattached) and Róisín Kennedy (Usher IRC) to the line at the end of the five-lap handicap event.

Kennedy now has a clear lead in the league. With three rounds left she is 17 points clear of Lucan CRC's Louise Harliwich.

Jean O'Connor (UCD) is two points further back. The next round takes place at the same venue on August 3rd.

In mountainbike news, Ben Reid successfully defended his national title at the Irish downhill championships in Mallow, Co Cork, last weekend. Reid was over four seconds quicker than Jamie Popham in the race, with former champion John Lawlor taking bronze.

Michelle McCartney and Dan Wolfe were best of the women and juniors, while Marty McGuigan, Dave McManus and Wallace Irwin headed the masters, veterans and senior categories, respectively. Jason Murphy and Conor O'Neill were top underage riders.

In the MTB cross-country championships held in Kilruddery Estate near Bray, Robin Seymour and Tarja Owens further extended their remarkable run of victories. Seymour took his 12th straight title while Owens won her 11th. Simon O'Loughlin, Robert Lamont and Andrew McCullough came out top in the masters, veteran and junior races, respectively.

Finally, Australian Institute of Sport cyclist Amy Gillett was killed this week in a tragic accident in Germany. She and five of her team-mates were hit by an out-of-control car. The other five were badly hurt but are expected to recover.

Gillett and her team-mates were well known to several Irish internationals, who raced against them in the past and were greatly saddened by the news. May she rest in peace.