Cycling Ireland would like to express their thanks to Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club in their promotion of the 2015 Road and Time Trial Championships last month. The Board of Cycling Ireland appreciates the effort required in running several events over a few days, and in particular the addition of two new Masters races on the on Saturday placed additional demands. These new events were well supported and provided new opportunities for some of our members to race for a National Championship title and Jersey.


There were in excess of 400 competitors entered in the Time Trial and Road Race events across the few days of National Championships events, and all races were very well managed through the assistance of lead vehicles, local marshals and Police support. This level of organisation requires months of planning particularly when bringing an event through a major town with a view to making the racing accessible for locals and visiting supporters. Certainly the crowds around the circuit and in the town-centre finish area appreciated the nature of the course and the efforts of the riders over the weekend.


 A further new development this year was the broadcasting of a highlights package for the Elite Women’s and Men’s race on the Eurosport TV channel; however one disappointment was the level of support shown by some of the professional riders for the event this year. Cycling Ireland can now boast five eligible Tour de France riders, and there was huge anticipation that we would see all five on Ulster`s roads competing for the opportunity to show off the Champion`s jersey across the world. However, as it turned out only two world tour riders entered,  ironically the pair whose teams did not select them for the Tour; however all eyes will be on the Irish trio of Nicolas Roche; Dan Martin and newcomer Sam Bennett as the July extravaganza unfolds across Europe.


Mullingar Firefighter Damien Shaw proved a worthy winner of the Elite title race, which will ensure the national champions jersey will be on display at all major domestic races for the next 12 months.

 

Finally congratulations to the all 2015 Road & Time Trial National Championship winners.

 

·         Elite Women’s Time Trial Champion – Siobhan Horgan

·         Elite Men’s Time Trial Champion – Ryan Mullen

·         Paracycling Time Trial Champion – Eoghan Clifford

·         Tandem Time Trial Champions – Neill Delahaye & Katie-George Dunlevy

·         M60 Road Race Champion – Kevin O’Leary

·         M50 Road Race Champion – Declan Hanrahan

·         M40 Road Race Champion – Aidan Crowley

·         Elite Women’s Road Race Champion – Lydia Boylan

·         U23 Men’s Road Race Champion – Eddie Dunbar

·         Elite Men’s Road Race Champion – Damien Shaw

 

The Board of Cycling Ireland