A Cycling Ulster team will today, Friday, line-out in the Manx International on the Isle of Man, returning to the race that is now being run in a new format.
In the past the Manx International, over three laps of the island's mountain course, was the showpiece elite international event of the Isle of Man racing week.
It's long run came to an end in 2003 before it returned briefly in recent years.
The event is now being run this weekend as a stage race and is part of British Cycling's national series.
This weekend six Ulster cyclists go to the race in the
footsteps of some big name Irish riders of the past.
Only three Irish cyclists ever won the Manx International
when it was a one-day event; Liam Horner in 1967, David Hourigan in 1992 and
David McCann in 1996.
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When McCann won he clinched his place on the Olympic team
for that year after seeing off two riders who went on to major pro careers.
Australian Robbie McEwan was 2nd to the
Irishman on the day with Alexandre Vinokourov rounding out the podium.
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McCann won the race again in 2002 and the following year
it was won by British ride Mark Lovatt. The event then stopped for years before
coming back in 2016 when won by Ian Bibby.
This weekend’s race will take in four stages, starting
this evening with a 35 mile 50-lap kermesse.
Tomorrow is a split stage; a morning 3.8 mile hill climb
TT on road bikes followed by an afternoon 15-lap circuit race over 64.5 miles.
The event concludes back on old familiar territory; a
re-run of the three-lap road race over 113.25 miles.
The Cycling Ulster team is comprised of Caldwell Cycles
duo Angus Fyffe and Darnell Moore along with Gareth O’Neill (Newry Wheelers),
Donal Shearer (Phoenix CC), Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport) and David
Montgomery (Unattached).
This is a very strong team that can punch above its weight; aggressive riders who can also surprise the British pros in the climbs.
Other Irish riders are on the start list - which is provisional - for their British pro trade teams.
They include Christopher McGlinchey (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK) and Ben Healy (Le Col Wiggins), both of whom are capable of a stage win.
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