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Cycleways Cup action scheduled

by Jimmy Geoghegan  Updated: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 4:55pm

Navan Road Club members preparing for this wekend's action (from left) were: back - Colm Farrell, Gerry Harte, Peadar Corbally; front - Thomas Corbally, Paul Hayes, Simon O'Dea, Stephen McGovern, John Tormey, Fiona Guiheen.

Many of the top cyclists in Ireland are expected in Navan on Sunday when the local road club opens its 2010 promotions with the first big race of the cycling season, the Cycleways Cup.

Among those scheduled to take part is Philip Cassidy who won the event five times and at 48 is still considered a force in the sport. The former Olympian also sponsors the event.

Last year's winner Martyn Irvine, now riding with the Planet X team, will be back again as will the 2009 runner-up Philip Lavery as well as Brian Kenneally who is a previous winner.

Local riders to watch out for include Colm Laverty, Declan Byrne and Derek Hussey in the senior race with Colm Farrell and Simon O'Dea likely to feature in the supporting races  

The headquarters for the Cycleways Cup is at Navan Rugby Club with the sign in from 10.15.

The categories in this well-known Navan Road Club fixture will start at 12.30, 1.0 and 1.10. The start times are in the same order as previous years however, due to extensive roadworks on the circuit and traffic diversions there are a number of changes to the route.

As the Navan - Slane road is closed for roadworks the traditional start at Blackcastle will not be used this year. The races will start on the Kingscourt road at Proudstown.

The A, A1 and A2 cyclists will do three laps of the regular circuit of the Kilberry-Slane Hostel-Woodtown-Cassidys Cross-Kiberry route totalling 66 miles. The A3 racers will do two laps totalling 44 miles and the A4 cyclists will do two laps also totalling 44 miles. Because of the change in rules u-16 riders are permitted to ride the A4 race.

The finish of the race will be held on the Navan side of Wilkinstown on the uphill straight 600 metres after the level crossing. This is because of safety concerns due to the large volumes of diverted traffic expected to be present at the traditional finish.

All team cars will must turn left before the finish as there is no parking available on the road at the finish.

However, there is parking 300 metres before the finish at Wilkinstown school.

Race personnel are requested not to park in front of private residences at the finish line. For further information contact Simon (086) 4083012, PJ, (087) 2848992 or Noel (087) 2727801.