All five riders on the Lantrobe City-Ireland team finished safely in the main bunch at the end of yesterday's first stage of the Herald Sun Tour in Melbourne.
The opening 32 kilometre criterium was won by Giro d'Italia 2000 stage winner David McKenzie, with David McCann, Aidan Duff, Tommy Evans, Mark Scanlon and Paul Griffin all part of the main bunch which crossed the line nine seconds later.
The Sun Tour continues today with two stages, a 30-lap criterium in Gembrook and a 130 kilometre road stage to Morwell.
Missing from the team is Ciaran Power, who performed with distinction in the race for the past two years. The St Quentin professional is at home in Waterford and is getting married today.
He has not yet heard whether he will be offered a place with the French team for next season.
To domestic news, and this Sunday sees the election of a new, six-strong mountain-bike commission at the Kileshin hotel in Portlaoise.
The move arises out of the need to ensure that this wing of the sport develops at the same pace as on-road riding. The IVCA a.g.m. will also take place on the same day in Glasnevin, while board nominations for the forthcoming ICF Congress on November 24th are due in by next Thursday. Six positions will be filled on the day - president, treasurer, secretary and three directors, after which this reduced board will in turn appoint four others to make up the sports administration executive.
A track cycling workshop will be held for schoolboys and women tomorrow morning at Sundrive road. Contact Will Byrne for more details on 086 8047839. Finally, a high performance coaching seminar by Achim Schmidt (University of Cologne) takes place next weekend at the NCTC, University of Limerick. More details from Paddy Doran at 8551522.
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