If you rode any event this year - races or leisure - chances are you benefited from the work of all of the people and clubs featured in the lists below (Photo: Sean Rowe)
We've had a year packed with fantastic racing and leisure events. Clubs, coaches and volunteers have been at the centre of the action. And every organised event took a huge amount of work all year.
Now is your chance to vote in the Cycling Ireland membership awards. We've included the shortlists below.
However, the best rider categories are carried elsewhere; here for men and over here for women.
But you can vote for the categories featured in this piece by following the link at the end of this piece.
We've included all of the shortlistees and a short biog outlining what each is up for the vote in their respective categories.
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National Volunteer of the Year
Andy Layhe - Trail Demons CC
Andy is the cyclocross co-ordinator on the Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission. He has been instrumental in the development of the sport of cyclocross in Ireland in recent years and was team manager for the Irish team at the World Championships at the end of January.
Chris McElhinney - Foyle CC
Chris has been nominated for his ongoing commitment to his club Foyle CC and the time he has spent promoting events, particularly his contribution to the successful running of the Foyle 3 Day during August. The Foyle 3 Day attracted many of the country's top riders and helped build on the success of the 2017 event.
Eimear Dignam - Cumann Rás Tailteann
Eimear was one of the driving forces behind the Rás Tailteann 2018, an event that involves a huge amount of work from a lot of people across the whole cycling community right around the country. The Rás Tailteann was once again an exciting race and was a cliff hanger right up to the last day where the Rás was won by a single second. The event was run within the budget and without any major incidents.
Genevieve Sheridan - Scott Orwell Wheelers
Jen initially got involved in the sport of cycling through her children and over the past number of years has become one of Irish cycling’s most committed volunteers, chairing the Track Commission, as well as being heavily involved in the Youth cycling scene. She had a very busy April schedule when the Track Commission hosted the National Junior Track Championships and she also managed teams who competed in the Youth Tour of Scotland and Rás na nÓg.
Martin Grimley - Dromara Cycling Club
Martin has been involved in the Off-road Commission for a number of years and has been nominated based on his commitment to the Off-road discipline. During July he helped with the successful running of the XC National Championships along with the many other events he is involved with during the year.
Mary Concannon - Killorglin CC
Along with her crew, Mary put a tremendous amount of work into ensuring the smooth running of the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan which took place over the Easter weekend at the end of March. She was quick to point out that she relies on a large team of volunteers who dedicate hours of work into making the race one of the most prestigious ones on the Irish cycling calendar.
Phil Skelton - Slaney Cycling Club
Phil worked tirelessly on getting the Minimum Passing Distance Legislation over the line in February. Five years ago, Phil began the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 campaign to target the legislation around the distance that is required between bicycles and motor vehicles on the road. A huge amount of work was conducted by Phil to both raise awareness of this on the road and in getting a bill passed by the government to write his recommendation into law. The implications of this legislation will be that the roads will become safer for cyclists, they will have increased protection in the eyes of the law, and other road users will become more aware of cyclists on the road.
Tim Cassidy - Team Gerard-DHL
Tim has been providing valuable guidance to up and coming U23 riders through his cycling team which he established for the 2018 season. The progression in his riders, particularly in June, can be attributed to both a dynamic team structure and great personal experience. The former professional cyclist had an idea of developing young U23 Irish riders, and to mimic a European team where a similar structure could be given with the finances available.
Valerie Considine - Usher Irish Road Club
Valerie was the race director for Rás na mBan, Ireland's premier women's cycling event. The five day event held during September had a total of six stages and covered over 400km. Valerie has been involved with the race from its inception 12 years ago and continues to work to develop the race which this year had a record entry of 25 five-rider teams, including riders from 19 countries.
Best cycling club of the year
Arcane Women's Team
Founded by M. Irvine , they were set up with help from former Intl (M.Spath / G.Irvine / R.Kennedy) with an emphasis on racing for fun . Already National Medallists on the Track, they will field 3 teams (Elite, Dev & Jun) for 2019
Club Rothaiochta na Sionnaine
Hosted a very successful A3 & Masters Championships in 2018. Great work from a relatively new and progressive club.
Cuchulainn CC
Consistent commitment to Youth participation in particular. Well run open race events. Wide membership across Road, Off Road, Leisure.
Drogheda Wheelers
Developing youth racers with Rás na Nog, promoting 6 open road races per season and promoted an extra race in Aug when other events were cancelled. Also promote the Skoda Tour de Boyne Valley sportive.
Foyle CC
Foyle were busy on the promotional front this year, hosting an international 3-day stage race, the Ulster hill climb championships and the national hill climb championships. The volunteers are a credit to the club and great ambassadors for the sport.
Greenmount Cycling Academy
Promoted 32 youth races, 7 Junior & Ladies on a car free 2km circuit in Limerick Racecourse. A number of circuits are used, even a 200m to run training races. They entered a Junior team in the Junior Tour and are committed to developing racing at all levels in the area.
Lisburn BMX Club
Totally committed Committee that constantly go above and beyond expectations to promote the sport of BMX Racing in Ulster and countrywide
Orwell Wheelers
For their focus on developing youth though racing and guidance. The club also has a very clean comprehensive training of newcomers.
Team Gerard DHL
Helping to develop young riders
Western Lakes Cycling Club
Promoted races and events for all categories of riders both on road & off road in 2018
Best leisure event in 2018
Battle of the Bikes - Courtown BMX Club
Aimed at Novice riders to try the thrills of BMX Racing.
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Great Dublin Bike Ride
Attracts a very diverse range of ages and abilities. Serves as a great focus for new cyclists to train for and with numbers increasing to 7,000 is a big promotional platform for our sport with a high profile start and finish in the capital city.
Ladies Sportive - Deenside Wheelers
A women only sportive, run by a club that supports women's cycling from beginner to elite.
Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle - Castlebar Cycling Club
Biggest charity event in Connacht with fundraising for a great cause.
Old Velos Vintage Classic - Old Velos
Very professional organisation and enjoyable event encouraging engagement and participation for all.
Ring of Beara Cycle - Kenmare Cycling Club
The event took less than 24hrs to sell out this year. 4000 snapped up by riders who always give the race fantastic reviews.
Tour of Louth Cyclo Sportive - Cuchulainn CC
A well run event with particular attention paid to marshals and safety.
Tour of Monaghan - Emyvale CC
A well organised event, a route that challenged all abilities, excellent safety and refreshments as well as raising mental health awareness in memory of Gabriel Bell, a much loved volunteer. Participants remarked on what an excellent event it was for all involved.
Best competitive event of 2018
Bioracer - Atlassian International UCI Cyclocross - Kinning Cycles
The first of its kind to be run here shows how far Cyclocross has come. Cyclocross is growing and deserves more recognition. This event put Ireland on the map in terms of Cyclocross.
Dublin Track Cycling International - Track Commission
Best run event in the country, run to the highest international standards.
Foyle Three Day - Foyle CC
Very well organised and an exciting addition to the calendar. Great work by Foyle CC to promote this excellent event.
Kerry Group Rás Mumhan 4 Day - Killorglin CC
This race is one of the cornerstones in Ireland and a premier event. The race is amongst the oldest and certainly the toughest stage race in Ireland. It provides an opportunity for Irish riders to race against top class international riders.
National BMX Champs - Ratoath BMX Club
Ratoath club hosted the National Championships for the 2nd time in its short history. Their experience shone through on the day with a fantastic and professionally run event.
National Road Cycling Championships in Sligo - Eire Og CC
Great weekend of racing with a super atmosphere on the road circuit and very exciting outcome to all the races.
National Youth Championships - Ballymoney CC
This event is a major undertaking with 12 categories racing over three road disciplines in two days. A fantastically organised event, ensuring youth cyclists from across Ireland had a brilliant experience at the blue ribbon event in their categories.
Rás na mBan 5 Day - Rás na mBan
For again running a successful event in 2018 having lost their main sponsor from the previous years. The exposure through Eurosport was also a big boost to cycling in Ireland in general. The race has developed to its biggest field to date and a high number of international and county riders.
Tour Of Omagh Women's 3 Day - Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club
The first Women's International event to adopt the new Women's Commission Rider Rankings, Omagh Wheelers hosted an event that catered for both Elite & Development Teams.
Best club coach of 2018
Andy Layhe - Trail Demons CC
Because of his commitment not only to his club riders but also riders all over the country. His experience and passion for Cyclocross is very extensive. He coaches all aspects of cyclocross which has really helped a lot of people.
Barry Monaghan - Newry Wheelers CC
Barry is a coach to many in his local club and has been a mentor to riders at regional and national level for over 20 years. This year he has coached local riders to National and International success.
Brendan Whelan - Arcane Cycling Team
Brendan has organised and been a guest speaker at multiple Women’s training days on both Road & Track.
Eugene Jackson - Ratoath BMX Club
Eugene works tirelessly to bring a high standard of Coaching to the BMX masses.
Hugh Byrne - Sundrive Track Team
For his continued work within the track division and encouraging new riders and youths to try out.
Mark Kiely - Sundrive Track Team
A coach with a holistic approach to coaching providing a balanced ethos for lifelong success.
Noel Mulroy - Westport Covey Wheelers
Noel has done a huge amount of work this year with the youth riders in Connacht.
Tim Cassidy - Team Gerard-DHL
For his dedication and overall professionalism to cycling.
You can vote by following this link
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