CYCLING: IRISH ROAD race champion Matt Brammeier finished a fine sixth on yesterday's opening leg of the Mi Aout Bretonne race yesterday, sprinting home as part of a group behind the winner Guillaume Boivin (SpiderTech).
Brammeier is riding the four-day race together with compatriots Connor McConvey, Ronan McLaughlin and Philip Lavery, as well as the Liverpudlian Mark McNally and the Belgian Pieter Ghyllebert. The 2.2-ranked race continues today with a 175-kilometre stage starting and finishing in Poullaouen.
Meanwhile, two Irish riders were yesterday named on the provisional start list for the Vuelta a España, which begins in Seville on August 28th.
Nicolas Roche will ride his second Grand Tour of the season in leading the Ag2r La Mondiale team, and will aim to build on his excellent 13th place of two years ago.
Roche finished 15th in this year’s Tour de France, and might well have taken 11th overall had his team-mate, John Gadret, not refused to give him a wheel when he punctured at a crucial moment in the mountains. If he can hit the same sort of form, a place well inside the top 10 is possible.
Also set to take part is Philip Deignan. The Letterkenny rider was best of the Cervélo Test Team in last year’s race, netting a superb ninth overall and winning the stage to Avila.
Motivation and confidence boosted, he was expected to go on to new heights this season. However, he has been struggling with illness and hasn’t shown the same sort of form at all in 2010.
Deignan took time off the bike in June and July and has been building back up gradually. He’s undoubtedly got the talent to succeed and if he has put his health issues fully behind him, should get back on track.
Online entries for the Sky Ride Etape Hibernia close today. The leisure cycle will take place over 82 miles of scenic Co Clare roads on August 22nd, and will differ from other such events in that it will feature completely closed roads. An estimated turnout of 2,000 is expected for the IMG-organised event, including Seán Kelly, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Irish comedian PJ Gallagher.
Open to participants between 18 and 80, it will begin at 7am from the Information Age Park on the Gort Road in Ennis. Entry costs €54 and includes electronic timing. Aside from online entry, it is also possible to sign on the day beforehand at the Glór Theatre in Ennis. More details are available on www.etapehibernia.com.
FIXTURES: Saturday: Team sprint, Sundrive Road; West Down GP, starts 11am at Katesbridge, Co Armagh; Ulster GP (David McCall Trophy), starts 9.30 at Lámh Dearg GAA ground.
Saturday-Sunday: National downhill championships, Kilbroney Forest, Rostrevor, Co Down. Practice run starts 9am.
Sunday: Brendan Campbell Memorial, Donore. First races at noon; Billy Stewart Cup, Lurgan, starts 12.30pm; Connacht TT championships, Swinford, starts 10.30am; Specsavers GP, Kilrush, Dungarvan, starts noon.
