Cork County CC at their official launch in the Irish Guide Dogs centre on Cork’s Model Farm Rd
Though they have already paraded their distinctive new kit at races up and down the country in recent months, Cork County Cycling Club held their official inauguration in association with Finance First, Wills Wheels bike shop and the Irish Guide Dogs last Saturday night.
The club’s main organiser, ‘Wills Wheels’ owner Will Curtin told stickybottle the club wants to put a major focus on underage cycling with a view to developing the youth scene in Munster again. It also had a team in Ras Mumhan and is planning to ride the An Post Ras and organise a city centre race in Cork City.
Away from the competitive side of the sport, it is also planning a sportive charity event for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
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Curtin says the main sponsor Finance First was interested in the club’s plans for the community and not just for elite racing, adding those behind Cork County CC want to a create a welcoming environment where beginners will not be intimidated.
“I think that’s a key part of our club and what we want to get across,” he said.
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“Our senior members very much want to be a part of it as well and it says a lot about our guys. There’s no ‘us and them’ like there is in some clubs.”
He said the club wanted to instil character and work ethic in younger riders and to develop in them a love for cycling that would endure even if they left Ireland to work in other countries when they got older. However, he was hopeful that the young people who came through the ranks would stay in the Cork area and have a long association with the new outfit.
“I was one of those guys who travelled the world a bit and one thing I found out a cyclist was that the sport is universal. You’ll always find work and make friends through the sport. And we want to keep people in this country and cycling can help them do that.”
The club has taken part in many races on the Irish calendar so far this season and have ambitions to race abroad before the end of the year. The team is captained by former Irish junior international Dave Kenneally, who helped Mark Scanlon capture his magnificent world title in Valkenburg in 1998.
Apart from Finance First and Wills Wheels, other Cork County CC sponsors for 2012 include: Fitness Worx Gym in Douglas and the Squeezy Sports Nutrition brand.
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