Defending Champion Snubbed by Race Organisers

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"138","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-medium wp-image-266","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"300","height":"176","alt":""}}]]The Newry Wheelers' 3 Day cycle race is the main event taking place this weekend for road cyclists. Last year's edition of the race proved to be a very fruitful one for the Cuchulainn Cycling Club with Bryan McCrystal & Gerry McCabe taking 1st & 2nd respectively, plus the club took the team prize. Newry has always proved a happy hunting ground for McCrystal & earlier this year he took a commanding win in Newry's Tour of the Mournes, soloing to a superb victory. Despite a recent accident McCrystal was all set to defend his title this weekend & the club had selected a strong team of McCrystal, Gerry McCabe, Alan Grey, Myles McCorry & Dermot Keelan.
 
However when the entry was sent to Newry Wheelers, McCrystal's entry was refused. The club stated that he was simply too strong a rider & would win in such dominating fashion that no other riders would be interested in participating. They went on to say that the race was primarily for beginners, which is not the case as the race is open to 3 of the 4 categories of senior cyclists in Ireland. If is was for beginners only A4 senior riders would be allowed compete. Additionally the event had huge interest in terms of riders wanting to take part. Newry had invoked a seldom used rule within Cycling Ireland legislation that allows a club to refuse entry to a race at their own discretion. This rule was meant to exclude rider's that may not have the skills to ride safely within a large bunch of cyclists & was never intended to stop strong riders from competing. It is simply pure discrimination against a rider, whom himself is an A2 graded cyclist so is not amongst the top grade in the country. The club withdrew it's team from the competition but McCrystal insisted that they still compete & Martin O`Hagan has taking his place. One can only hope that Barcelona will be allowed to defend their Champions League title next year!
 
Meanwhile in the club's league racing Gary Shiels won the latest round of the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League. Gary is better know for his exploits on the mountain bike & next month is going to France to compete in the 8 day Trans Alps Mountain Bike race.  Barry Douglas has showen a good return to form this season & came home in 2nd position, with another evergreen club cyclist Declan Grey in 3rd. Geraldine Gill was first lady home in the same group as the winners, in 8th position. Behiond them Nial Kelly lead home the scratch group from Damien Treanor & Karl Dolan begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
 
In the Ladies & Beginners League Newry rider Kerri Campbell took the win from Cuchulainn's Cuirithir O'Brannagain & Anthony Craven. This league is growing in strength, with a good mix of beginner men & ladies. It is a great league for people looking to step up from touring to something more competitive.
 
In the Mountain Biking League Sandra O`Hagan has become a complete revelation & took yet another win in the latest round, coming home with over 2 & a half minutes to spare over runner up Gary Sharkey. This is Sandra's 3rd win & the second week in a row that Sharkey has been 2nd. John Grace made his way from Group 5, starting some 15mins after the first group, all the way up to 3rd position. Next week this league will take a break as a number of the clubs cyclists have a small event in France, 8 days, 600km, 20,000m of climbing & they sleep in tents. The club wishes them the best of luck.
 
With National Bike week coming up the club is hosting a number of events. One of which, on June 21st, is the inaugural Summer Solstice 100mile cycle, a trip from Dundalk to the Spire on O`Connel Street & back, leaving at dusk & returning at dawn. Helmets & lights are a must! On the 26th there is a fun cycling day for children in Saint Helena's Park, this was also run last year when it was a huge success as the kids competed in races & a cycle of the town's bike paths. Details of all the events can be found on www.dundalkcycling.com
 
Finally well done to all the club men & women who completed the Wicklow 200km Cycle on Sunday last (June 12th). The event, which featured almost 3,000m of climbing was run in the most horrendous conditions of torrential rain & wind. It was an event which only the insane started & dedicated finished.