CYCLING ROUND-UP:THE EFFECTS of a life-threatening crash four years ago continue to affect Matt Brammeier, with the Irish road race champion undergoing an operation recently to try to remedy the final effects of the accident.
Brammeier was run over by a cement truck while training in 2007, suffering severe injuries including a badly fractured femur. He had a titanium rod inserted to help the recovery process and while he successfully returned to the sport, he has long felt an imbalance in his muscle strength.
Brammeier is still using crutches while he recovers, but has been able to start training again in Girona.
Following the end of the HTC Highroad team, the 26-year-old will move to the Omega Pharma-QuickStep team next season, and hopes to continue his solid career progression.
In other news, Cycling Ireland will hold its agm and annual awards on Saturday in Radisson Hotel Blu in Dublin. It has announced the prize winners for several categories, with the fundraising Cycle 4 Sick Children set-up winning club of the year.
Usher IRC’s Gary McIlroy was named volunteer of the year for his race organisation, commissaire and Cycling Ireland duties. The award for female Irish-based rider of the year will be presented to Orla Hendron of Orwell Wheelers, who recently picked up two medals at the World Masters Track Championships in Manchester. She was also second in the Joe Daly’s Cycles Velotec Women’s National League and third in the Trek Women’s Classic League.
Stephen Clancy (Limerick CC) has been named male Irish-based rider of the year, progressing from A3 to A1 level this year.
They will be preceded by the agm where the election of two board members from Noel McGlynn, John Horgan, Richie Byrne and Anto Moran. Rory Wyley has been nominated for re-election as honorary president.
Finally, voting closes on Sunday for the sports category in the Irish Book Awards. Nicolas Roche’s autobiography is one of six contenders; votes can be cast at www.irishbookawards.ie.
FIXTURES: Saturday:Cycling Ireland agm, starts 11am at Radisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8. Sunday:Connacht MTB League, starts 11am at Pigeon Wood, Cong.
