ICF to return to the international track

The Irish Cycling Federation (ICF) is aiming to return to international track racing in 2002, under a new scheme detailed by their track commission officer Philip Collins this week.

Collins, who represented Ireland in the 4,000 metre pursuit in the Atlanta Olympics, will oversee development squads to be drawn from the medal winners at last weekend's Eurocycles/Eurotrek national track championships.

Track racing underwent a revival this year through the efforts of the ICF commission, which introduced a midweek evening league towards the end of the season. Their next step is to establish a national cycling centre at Sundrive Road and the resurfacing of the track, facilitated by the capital grants awarded this year and assisted by Dublin Corporation.

According to Collins, this centre will be used as a base to coach and monitor the development of riders. A "Cycling Pathway" is featured in the ICF's strategy document, which details the framework by which cyclists will be helped to achieve their potential.

A vital part of this plan is nationwide coaching structures, and sessions will be held in the next two months for those accredited in this area.

Level two coaching courses will be held in the first week of October and November, while a high performance seminar featuring the University of Cologne's Achim Schmidt will take place on October 27-29th. Further information is available from Paddy Doran at 8551522.

Applications are also welcome for the women's TQ Paper two-day race, postponed earlier this year due to the foot-and-mouth crisis. The event will take place in the Santry area on October 6th and 7th, with teams from Britain and further afield expected. Entry forms can be obtained from Susan O'Mara on 087 2360121. These are due in by Sunday week.

Finally, some recent results. The ICF track league finished on Wednesday night with Shane Prendergast, Paul Reid and Stephen Enright winning the senior track bike, senior road bike and junior track leagues. Keith Daly was best of the schoolboys, while Louise Moriarty won the women's league.

In the mountain bike race, Bullfrog Racing's Jamie Popham scored his second podium place this year in the British national points series with third place in Ae Forest in Scotland.

Meanwhile, Ciaran Power yesterday finished as part of the main bunch of riders on the opening stage of the Tour de L'Avenir in France. Power crossed the line in 72nd place, in the same time as winner Alexandre Usov of the Phonak team.

Irish Team for Tour of the Peak (September 16th): Denis Lynch, Gary McQuaid, Thomas Hogan, John Dempsey.

ICF TRACK LEAGUE - Final: Senior Track Bike League: 1, Shane Prendergast (Naas) 30 points; 2, P. Doyle (unattached) 29; 3, Mark Colbart (Usher IRC) 19; 3, K. Bannon (Naas) 19. Senior Road Bike League: 1, Paul Reid (Gary Fisher) 21 points; 2, JP Hillard (Dublin Skip) 20; 3, Mark McLeavey (Dublin Skip) 14.Junior Track League: 1, Stephen Enright (Usher IRC) 20 points; 2, D. Rawlins (Usher IRC) 5; 3, R. Reidy (Usher IRC) 5. Schoolboy Track League: 1, Keith Daly (Drogheda Wheelers) 31 points; 2, P. McMahon (Bray Wheelers) 27; 3, T. Duggan (Bray Wheelers) 22. Women's Track League: 1, Louise Moriarty (Dublin Skip) 8 points; 2, S. Lavery (Motorway) 6; 3, O. Coady (unattached) 4.

FIXTURES - Today: Beechmount Cup, Kilmessan. Starts 6.30 NICF Open Cross Country championships, Ards. noon. Tomorrow: Collins/Christle memorial race 2, Kilmessan. 1.0pm. Underage Leinster championships, Kilmessan. noon.