Navan start to season

Not since 1990 has the Irish cycling season started before the first weekend in March and although the Cycleways Cup at Navan opens the 1999 list of fixtures on February 28th an Irish team of six is already in action in Malaysia and another six Irish representatives go to Greece for a race from February 24th to 28th.

Most of those on early international duty, along with some others, will be based in France and Belgium but for those who will be racing on the home scene another good, varied programme has been compiled. The Navan club have switched from the usual Beechmount Cup race opener to get the wheels rolling with the Cycleways Cup.

The Leinster league starts on Saturday, March 6th, on the course behind Dublin Airport and the Ulster season opens that day with the Annaclone handicap. The Newbridge Grand Prix is on March 7th along with the Traders Cup at Dundalk and the Ken O'Keeffe memorial at Cork.

The Leinster league continues on March 13th and 20th with the universities championship at Tramore and the Bangor handicap also on March 13th.

On the following day the Coombs Connor races are at Drogheda with the Kiely Cup at Blarney and the Phoenix Grand Prix at Nutts Corner with the usual promotions on St Patrick's Day. The handicap event from outside Finglas to Drogheda and back should attract its usual huge turnout, there is also the handicap race at Downpatrick and the Carraig Cup at Carrick-on-Suir with the Ireland West Trophy at Partry.

The Tour of Ards is at Newtownards on March 20th with the Jim McQuaid memorial in the Phoenix Park the next day when there are also races at Kanturk and Sligo.

Before the usual Easter stage races Dublin Wheelers have their two-day, three stage competition for women on March 27th and 28th. Also on Sunday 28th the Des Hanlon memorial is at Carlow, the Haldane handicap at Newry and Ras Luimni at Caherdavin.

In preparation for the racing season the Leinster Federation coach Mark Kiely has arranged an attractive coaching weekend on February 13th and 14th at Marine House, Wicklow.

It is limited to 50 and they will leave in five groups from the Phoenix Park at 10 o'clock tomorrow week to ride to Wicklow and return to Dundrum the following day. Kiely will also have Bernie McCormack talking on motivation and Terry Ferris on flexibility.