Elliot memorial moves up a gear

CYCLING: Irish cycling takes another important step forward this weekend with the running of the Shay Elliot memorial race, newly upgraded to the international calendar. The mountainous event has UCI points on offer this season and consequently has attracted a good field of 150 riders, including a selection of foreign contestants.

Heading the overseas charge are the Compensation Group trio of Kevin Dawson, Mark Lovatt and John Tanner, who dominated the Rás Mumhan race earlier this month. Former FBD Milk Rás winner Andy Roche is leading an Isle of Man Commonwealth squad, with the Surrey team and the first category Dutch rider Denis Raadtgever also confirmed.

Paddy Moriarty, Thomas Hogan, Sean Lacey and Conor Murphy line out for the Irish team, while club squads such as Cidona Carrick Wheelers, Cycleways Lee Strand and Usher IRC - which includes last year's winner Dave Peelo - are sure to feature.

As last year, the route will see the riders tackle the cruel slopes of the Old Wicklow Gap before the Drumgoff climb. One change is a longer finishing loop near Roundwood, which will bring the race distance up to 148 kilometres.

An unfortunate clash with the Circuit des Mines event means several prominent Irish riders will miss the event.

There was an good turnout of women cyclists at last Sunday's Stamullen GP, encouraging news for the new women's commission which is charged with recruiting more numbers to the sport. Beth McCluskey (IMBRC) was best on the day, winning ahead of Louise Moriarty (Les Jeunes) and Bray Wheelers' Rebecca O'Connell.

Finally, Mick McCarthy is taking a brief break from preparations for the World Cup to lead a 100k charity cycle around Dublin on Sunday, May 5th. McCarthy will head a group of 300 cyclists who are aiming to raise money for three children's hospitals.

More details and entry forms can be obtained by calling the freephone number 1800 507 508.

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