Cycling Ireland Highlights 2014
JANUARY:
FEBRUARY:
Ryan Mullen finished a superb 4th place in the Individual Pursuit.
MARCH:
With 700 events nationwide, and the huge increase in the popularity of cycling, there has been an increased demand for a Cycling Ireland presence at events. In March Cycling Ireland announced the Cycling Ireland Representative Programme, with over 150 people interested in becoming Official Reps at events. Two training days followed with Cycling Ireland Reps attending events nationwide over the remainder of the season.
APRIL:
With the Giro d’Italia coming to Ireland, Cycling Ireland was tasked in April with the coordination of the Republic of Ireland leg of the Volunteer Marshal Programme, which received a very positive response. All marshals who completed the Cycling Ireland Marshal Training will receive a “Marshal” endorsement on their 2015 Cycling Ireland licence. Over 200 Cycling Ireland members completed this training, and will serve as a general database for events in the future, with more Marshal Training Programmes to be developed and delivered nationwide to help ensure safe events.
At the Paracycling Track Cycling World Championships, Ireland had a successful campaign, with Colin Lynch winning a silver medal in the C2 Individual Pursuit. The male and female tandems finished 4th and 5th respectively.
MAY:
JUNE:
This year’s family cycling festival was renamed as Bike Fest, with over 2000 attendees enjoying a range of activities from Sprocket Rocket and Mountainbiking, to BMX, single speed racing and safe cycling lessons. There was also an art section, along with face painting, a family cycle and Dirt Monkeys performing stunt shows.
JULY:
In July cycling was given a boost when it was announced that the plans for the National Velodrome would move to planning stage, moving the plans for an indoor track in Ireland a step forward.
Ireland’s young junior and U23 team also had a successful European Track Championships in July, with Josie Knight winning a silver medal in the junior women’s Individual Pursuit, Mark Downey won a silver medal in the junior men’s Points Race, and Eoin Mullen won a bronze medal in the U23 Men’s Sprint. This demonstrated the strength and depth of the National Team, with a lot of young talent coming through.
Ireland’s top BMX rider Kelvin Batey also won the Masters World Championships in the 30-35 Cruiser Category; this was in addition to the silver medal he won in the Masters 30+ Challenge Class.
AUGUST:
At the Paracycling World Championships in the USA Ireland’s Eoghan Clifford stormed onto the World Stage, winning a gold medal in both the MC3 Time Trial and the MC3 Road Race, which was a phenomenal result for the rider in his World Championship debut. The women’s tandem of Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal won a silver medal in the women’s Road Race, in what was a tantalising close finish with gold medallists GB. Double Paralympic Champion Mark Rohan won bronze in the MH2 Time Trial, and came just outside the medals in a gruelling Road Race.
August also saw the appointment of Barbara Connolly to the role of Cycling Safety Project Development Officer, which is an exciting departure for Cycling Ireland. Connolly will work with the Department of Transport and the RSA in developing a National Cycling Standard, and a cycle safety training programme that will be launched in 2015.
SEPTEMBER:
This was also an amazing year for Downhill Mountain Biking, with Ireland’s Jacob Dickson winning a bronze medal in the junior men’s World Championships in Norway.
OCTOBER:
NOVEMBER:
Cycling Ireland held their annual Awards Night, where they announced the results from the Membership Awards, in which over 1000 people voted. You can find the results HERE.
DECEMBER:
