CYCLING:MARY COSTELLO showed excellent promise for the future when she performed strongly in last week's European track championship in Minsk. She rode aggressively in the junior contests, placing fourth in the scratch race and fifth in the points event.
She was sprinting for the victory at the end of the scratch race but was blocked by a rider swinging up the track. Costello missed out on bronze by a tiny margin.
The 18-year-old showed that same speed in the points race, but lost out on a medal when two riders lapped the field towards the end. However these results plus her unexpected third against senior contestants in last months’ Irish Road Race Championship act to highlight her ability.
Several other Irish riders at the championships performed solidly and gained experience for future participations.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Roche’s fine showing in the Tour de France, combined with the strong performances this year by fellow professionals Daniel Martin and Philip Deignan, show that Ireland can once again look forward to strong representation in the Tour. Martin was also due to compete this year, but had to pull out prior to the start due to tendonitis.
This country’s trailblazer in that event will be remembered this Sunday with a documentary on Setanta Ireland. Shay Elliot won stages in the Tours of Italy, France and Spain, took the 1959 Het Volk and was second in the 1962 world championships. His Tour of Spain stage win came the same year and he finished third overall in the race, the first English speaker to podium in a three-week event.
Elliott's Tour de France stage success came the following season and, with it, the yellow jersey of race leader. He held the maillot jaunefor three days. .
Shay Elliott: Cycle of Betrayal will air at 7.45pm on Sunday.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday-Sunday: Portaferry Three-Day. Saturday: Women’s cycling day, Park Hotel, Dungarvan, 9.30am. Sunday: K-Capital Cup round one, Kilruddery, Wicklow; Donamon GP, Donamon; Tommy Brady Memorial. Robinstown, first races start 11am; Eddie Tobin Memorial, Enniscorthy (call Pat at 086-8172231); IVCA CP Millennium Cup, Warrenstown, 9.15am.
