The destination of a large number of national track titles remains unknown after a downpour left the organisers no option but to call off the racing set for the outdoor Dublin track (Photo thanks to Adamstown Cycling Team)
There may have been disappointment for the elite and junior riders preparing to do battle for national track titles when the racing in Dublin was called off today, but the track deciders have already been rescheduled.
They will now take place next Saturday, August 9th, on the Eamonn Ceannt velodrome on Sundrive Road where racing would have taken place today but for the rain.
One of the organisers of the events, Hugh Byrne of the Sundrive Track Team said the decision was made this morning to call off the title races because there was little or no prospect of any racing.
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“You might have been looking at a situation where the track would dry out for a bit and you’d get something done,” he said.
“But we needed about six hours for what was planned today and even if it had dried up, you can’t sprint on a wet track. You can do training sometimes when it’s damp, but not full on sprinting on a track bike.”
Byrne said when he and some of the others running the races arrived at the track this morning some of those due to ride were already there.
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After consultations, nobody present believed the racing would go ahead given the downpour and forecast for later today.
The decision was then made to call off the events; a wise call given heavy rain fell in Dublin for most of the day.
Byrne said it was not possible to holding the racing tomorrow or Monday because riders needed some notice. Instead, the racing will take place next weekend.
It is unclear if only those already entered will be able to ride or if the entry would be re-opened because the events were not run today. Cycling Ireland will clarify that point in the next day or two and we’ll bring you news in that regard when we have it.
Next Saturday’s schedule will include the same events for men and women that were due to be decided today, with the elite keirin, team pursuit and team sprint the headline events.
The junior championships include a scratch race, pursuit, points race and TT – 500m for women and 1km for men.
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