Positive shows put Irish squad in Olympic frame

CYCLING: Track squad manager Phil Collins has returned with his riders from the B World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland, very satisfied with the performance of the team.

Despite their relative inexperience, the nine-rider squad rode well during the event, taking several top-10 finishes and then capping their performance with an excellent bronze medal and a probable Olympic place.

Ray Clarke, Paul Healion, Louise Moriarty, Gillian McDarby, Keith Bannan, Paul Doyle and Sara White all finished inside the top 10 in their events, benefiting from the guidance of former British Olympic champion Chris Boardman, who had put the team through an exhaustive, 22-week training programme.

Clarke went on to ride with distinction in the motor-paced keirin event, taking the bronze medal despite it being his first time to ride such a contest.

"It was an absolutely flawless ride by Ray," said Collins. "I have never seen a guy ride his first keirin and do something like that. I had to explain the rules to him beforehand, yet he was like an old hand once the race started, doing everything absolutely right."

Korean specialists Chi Bum Kim and Mun Yong Kim took gold and silver, but according to Collins they are almost certain to finish inside the world's top 30 when the new rankings are released next year. This should see the Olympic qualification place pass to Ireland.

The country's road riders also performed with distinction with David McCann taking bronze in the road race and Ireland gaining two places for Athens 2004.

Meanwhile, veteran rider John Caulfield will travel to Barcelona next week to compete in the World Police and Fire Games, to be held in Montjuic between July 27th and August 3rd. He has taken 17 medals in the past five games and is hoping to add to his tally in the three kilometre hill climb, the 12km time trial, the criterium and the 40 km road race.

Entry forms are due back for the national time trial championships, which will be held on a 25-mile course in Enniscorthy on Saturday. Further details from Paul Nolan at 054-33255.

Off-road riders will also be chasing national medals next weekend with the holding of the Irish cross country and downhill mountainbike championships in Rostrevor, Co Down. More information is available from Robert at 048-7734106016.

FIXTURES

Sunday

Tommy Sheehan Memorial (Classic league event), Carrick -on-Suir. Starts 1 pm.

IVCA 50 mile TT, Enfield. Starts 9 am.