AFTER two successful promotions as the Sean Kelly Classic, the popular pre Christmas outing in Carrick on Suir reverts to being the hamper race on Sunday, sponsored again by Yoplait, and Kelly will once more head the line up.
Two years ago the turn out exceeded expectations. Almost
1,200 cyclists took part in the family spin and Kelly was to the fore in the hectic finale in the town. Last year there were over 800 participants. This time the Carrick club is running the event, now in its 25th year, on similar lines to the classic, but it will be a scaled down version.
The family spin will be one lap of 22 miles through Glenbower at one o'clock - sign on from 11.0. The race will be from Kilsheelan and over five laps of the one mile circuit in the town over the two bridges.
Although Kelly passed the 40 mark last May, he still gets out regularly on his bike and is a very fit veteran, so he is expected to be involved in the high speed charge up along the main street as usual.
Last year, Declan Lonergan left Tony Rominger and Kelly in his wake in the sprint to the line, but he will not be involved this time. After the Olympics, Lonergan's form was disappointing in races for his Australian team in Denmark, Germany and France and he declined to go with them to China and Australia and returned to his base in California.
He is with friends in London now, before coming home to Waterford for Christmas. He goes back to America on December 27th, but he said he is not fit enough to tackle the hamper race this time.
Lonergan's fellow track Olympian Philip Collins wants to try the road scene in France next season and is anxious to get a place in a team there as David McCann has done.
As expected, Robin Seymour outclassed his rivals on the way to his sixth successive triumph in the cyclo cross championship at Ballymoney last Saturday and he has races tomorrow and Sunday at Derby and Leicester.
Pat McQuaid has still no definite decision on the Dublin start to the Tour de France in 1998. He is involved in constant discussions with Irish and French authorities and the transportation of the Tour vehicles and equipment back to France from Cork or Rosslare is the main cause of concern. It will, however, be resolved early in the New Year and McQuaid is optimistic that the problems can be sorted out satisfactorily and the first three days of the Tour will be on Irish roads.
The new FIC Board elected Frankie Campbell as chairman of a committee to examine all aspects of the role of national team director and coach before a successor to Alasdair MacLennan is appointed. It is expected to be just a part time appointment and Campbell will have responsibility for the initial planning of next year's international programme.
Although Paddy O'Callaghan is no longer a member of the FIC Board, he heads a committee to organise the change over from the present system of six regional committees to four provincial boards.
