Cycling Column: Boosted by strong performances last weekend, four elite Irish riders will line-out in the World MTB Marathon Championships in Lillehammer tomorrow.
Husband and wife team Jenny and Richie McCauley rode well in the sixth round of the Marathon World Cup in Falun, Sweden, last weekend. Jenny McCauley placed seventh out of 28 finishers in the women's event, and currently ranks sixth in the overall Marathon World Cup standings.
Richie McCauley also finished well in the top end of the field, placing 13th out of the 153 finishers in the men's event.
He is currently a fine 13th out of 287 riders in the overall ranking.
They will be joined in Norway by national champions Robin Seymour and Tarja Owens.
They raced to a fine victory in the open mixed classification of the TransRockies Challenge in Canada last weekend, taking four out of seven stages and ending the long-distance event an impressive two and a half hours clear of their nearest rivals.
Owens and Seymour have been named as the elite contestants for next week's cross country championships.
Niall Davis and Lewis Ferguson will compete in the espoir (under-23) category, while Andrew McCullough goes in the junior race.
The McCauleys are notable absentees from the list.
Cycling Ireland said this week that neither had registered an application to be part of the national squad this year, a necessary requirement for inclusion on Ireland teams.
Like Seymour and Owens, their participation in tomorrow's marathon championships is on an independent basis.
Meanwhile, the national track championships take place tomorrow and Sunday on the Sundrive Road track.
A strong turnout is expected for the contest, which will see juniors, womens, veterans and seniors take part in a number of events.
Racing starts on both days at 11am, with sign-on and accreditation taking place beforehand. Those requiring the latter should contact Will Byrne at 086 8047839.
Finally, the final round of the Cycling Ireland Men's Classic League will take place this Sunday at the Sheffry GP in Westport.
Dan Morrissey Carrick rider Rory Wyle has a clear lead in the league, having gathered 35 points during his campaign. David McCann (Giant Asia) and Eugene Moriarty (Cycleways.com) are second and third.
The overall league winner will receive €500 in prize money.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: National Youth Road Race Championships, Craigavon Westport criterium. For more info contact Joe McGuire, 086 8702062 Saturday/Sunday: All Ireland track championships, Sundrive Road.
Sunday: Sheeffry Grand Prix, Westport, Co Mayo. Classic League round 6. Contact Joe McGuire for more details at 086 8702062.
