Eve so close to National medals, BMX for underage riders and League Roundup

As is the tradition around Europe the weekend before the start of the Tour De France sees each country hosts the national Time Trial and Road Race Championships. Recent convert from triathlon to road cycling Eve McCrystal had an amazing weekend competing, but in both events it was a case of being agonisingly close to an elusive Irish medal, but yet just missing out. Starting with the time trial on Thursday night Eve was the 4th fastest rider on the night, missing the bronze by less than a minute. Moving to the road action on Sunday, Eve was part of the winning 5 man move that made it all the way to the line. Dublin's Melaine Spatz took the gold with Eve in 5th, where it was down to a lack of experience in the tight sprint finish that saw her finish outside the medals. Eve is now concentrating on the European Defence Forces Championships in early September where she will ride as a member of the Gardai team.

The FPM Accountants Summer League on Thursday night saw a win for Stamullen's Gary Gorman. Gary was part of the superscratch group that caught all those in front and avenged his sprint defeat in the Louth Championships by beating Ray O`Shaughnessy into 2nd. Ray had beaten Gary for the bronze the week before. Karl Dolan was 3rd home in the sprint ahead of Neil Kelly and Val Vargon, with Eve McCrystal in 6th.

In the women's road race the second group once again rode out of their skins to hold off the faster scratch group. Suzanne Byrne was the victor on the night ahead of Louise O`Hagan and Nuala O`Donoghue. Celine McPhilips maintains a slender 1 point advantage over underage racer Lisa`Neary. Celine would be expected to excel in next week's time trial, a discipline she is very strong in. Behind these 2 in the league no fewer than 5 riders are separated by 2 points.

In the Mountain Bike League, the elder McCann, Fergus, took a fine win leading home Shane Garvey from Conor Kavanagh in 3rd. League leader Ed Lennox once again finished outside the points and now leads Terry McEneaney by just 8 points, with Terry having placed 5th on Tuesday last. Within the race Mathew McElroy was first junior home, ahead of Aidan McDonnell.

Finally Cuchulainn's newly launched BMX training for kids is proving to be a huge success. Kids from 6 - 14 with any style of bike (and helmet) are looked after at St. Marys College on Saturday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 or Monday evenings 6:45 - 8:00. Coaches Peter Collins, Philip Kerely & Kevin Trainer use their considerable coaching experience to enhance the rider's skill in the sport, which will feature for the second time in the Olympics in London this July.