A new drive has been launched to raise money for the Irish cyclocross team. It would help the team represent Ireland at major championships and also give young riders other international race exposure. Thomas Creighton, above, is just one emerging young rider worth backing (Photo: Toby Watson)
A new fundraising drive has been launched to raise money for the Irish cyclocross team and the development of young riders.
Any money raised will be used to help Irish cyclocross teams compete abroad, especially at the World Championships.
The cash raised will also help in sending youth and junior riders abroad to gain experience.
People are being asked to donate via a PayPal page set up specifically for the new Irish cyclocross development fund.
And all of those who donate will be entered in a draw, with some very cool prizes on offer. There’s one ticket for the draw with every €5 donated. And for those who donate €10, there are three tickets.
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As well as donating online and securing tickets as a result, you can also buy tickets at the remaining cyclocross races this season.
The fund is the brainchild of Irish riders Marcus Cromie and Kevin Devlin. And top British cyclocross rider Helen Wyman is also involved.
She has been assisting some Irish riders to develop in the sport, along with Irish cyclocross coordinator Andy Layhe. Wyman has also gathered most of the prizes on offer to those who donate to the new fund.
Indeed, those prizes - mostly in the shape of collectors’ item racing kit - can be viewed on Wyman’s personal website by following this link.
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Two worth investing in: David Conroy and Lara Gillespie have already ridden the Worlds. They are among a group of young cyclocross riders who can excel with a bit more support.
The fund is launched at a time when cyclocross has been growing in Ireland. However, the because cyclocross is not at Olympic sport, funding for high performance has been limited.
There is just €2,500 available per year, meaning sending an Irish team to both the Worlds and Europeans is not possible on the current budget.
But if even a modest amount was raised via the new Irish cyclocross development fund, teams could go to both championships.
And Irish riders could also be sent to other races abroad; an essential chapter of any young rider’s development.
Ireland has a number of very good U23 and junior riders who can improve significantly and gain invaluable experience with even a small number of foreign racing opportunities per season.
Stickybottle appreciates people are still financially stretched and that the economic recovery hasn’t spread to every household just yet.
But there are a number of dedicated volunteers putting huge effort into the cyclocross scene. And if we could help donating some funds, it would be of enormous benefit to them and the riders.
The PayPal page for donating can be reached by following this link.
Prizes include
- Jeremy Powers signed Rapha skin suit
- Helen Wyman signed Race Jersey
- Helen Wyman signed race numbers
- Katie Compton signed USA Champions skin suit
- Katie Compton World Cup signed race numbers
- Katie Compton Signed Race cards
- Belgium National Champion Bioracer Skin Suit
- Belgium National Team ‘Telenet Fidea’ World Championship Bioracer Skinsuit
- Belgium National Team World Championship Bioracer Skinsuit
- UCI World Cup Cyclocross Leaders Santini Skinsuit
Please visit helenwyman.com to see the prizes on offer and for all additional information or email [email protected].
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