Cycling News round-up: Cycling Ireland's (CI) attempt to try to develop track racing will take a step forward this weekend when 24 riders line out in the Manchester Velodrome for some important timed sessions. In addition to measuring the standard of Irish track riders at this point, the times achieved will also be used to determine if competitors will be sent to take part in the Manchester round of the World Cup in April.
"This event will allow riders to benchmark themselves against the current times being set at international levels," said Paul Doyle, of CI's track commission. "They will also be able to try to meet the times that are set out in the recently published selection criteria for track events."
The timing will begin tomorrow evening with the men's flying-start 200-metre time trial, and continue until around noon on Sunday.
To mountainbike racing, and the highly promising young Irish rider Jamie Popham has planned a top-notch programme for 2004. World Cup races, European and World championships, plus a defence of his titles in the British and Irish national points series are all lined up as targets by Popham, who will start the year as the number-one ranked junior in the world.
Popham recently signed a deal with Santa Cruz bicycles and will ride for the year with the Britain-based team. He will be supplied with downhill, 4 cross and free-ride bikes by Santa Cruz, and will also be supported by Fox Europe, Oakley and the Westwood Fitness Club during the season.
Finally, entries are due shortly for the Credit Union Rás Mumhan, which will retain its usual four-day, five-stage format this year but will feature a new criterium on the streets of Killarney. Forms should be returned to Eileen Scully (087 9906912) before Wednesday, March 24th.
Entries are also open for the Murphy and Gunn Shay Elliott Memorial race, a 1.5-ranked international event. The organisers of the Wicklow 200 event are also welcoming entries. Visit www.wicklow200.ie for details.
IRISH TEAM FOR BRUTON SERIES RACE (Hampshire, March 28th): Susan O'Meara, Colette Swift, Mary Boyd, Karen Bothwell.
Fixtures: Sunday: Newbridge GP, Newbridge, starts 12.30. McCann Cup, Seskanore Circuit, Ulster, starts 1.0. Bill Hyland Memorial, Clonmel, starts noon.
