David McCann asks it really matters if riders from the home road scene are wearing a national, provincial of club jersey racing abroad, just as long as they are getting away. Above, leading the escape in the Coppa Bernocchi in Italy in 2003 (Photo: Sirotti)
Until recent years, elite riders competing on the home scene had many chances to represent their country, even if the World Championships and Olympics were understandably the preserve of our pros.
Home based road racers had the chance to ride for Ireland at races in the UK and in the Rás. But those teams simply are not selected any more.
The absence of aiming for international caps detracts greatly from domestic cycling. Cycling Ireland can point to funding shortfalls as the reason why these teams aren’t selected to travel any more.
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We’ve asked a number of prominent cycling figures whether elite Irish teams drawn from the home scene could be funded by clubs or even the riders themselves, as they were in previous decades.
In this second dispatch on the issue; Olympian, Rás winner and former pro rider David McCann outlines his views.
By Brian Canty
Former professional rider David McCann has said the funding of elite Irish road race teams selected from the home scene to race abroad is not the only way domestic riders can be exposed to international competition and improve.
“Perhaps a better question is; is it time for Ireland to fund some club teams,” he said.
McCann pointed out clubs and riders from the domestic scene were already going abroad by themselves to race.
But it’s a catch 22 situation; the best riders have to go abroad to better themselves but too many doing so weakens the home scene.
“The two things must be attacked at once; get the domestic standard higher, to the benefit of many,” the three time Olympian said.
“But get the very best guys a chance to go to the bigger races abroad to stretch themselves. It’s a tricky balancing act to get that right.
“As far back as I can remember there have always been clubs and provincial teams racing abroad; Tim Barry going with teams in the Tours of Serbia, Slovakia racing as Munster, Pezula, Carrick in England and so on.
McCann believes the scope for Cycling Ireland to fund initiatives like The Belgian Project - which enters teams into some races at home and supports riders racing abroad - is huge.
“I'd love to be involved in a properly target-focused national road team plan but I think until the funds are there to do it right, a half measure isn't a step up.
“Alongside funding for a national team, it’d be great if Cycling Ireland could help more clubs to get away themselves.
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“If it leads to many more Irish riders getting into high level races, long-term does it really matter if they are not in a national jersey? And a club gets some well deserved credit for the part they have played.
“Getting the races is not that difficult,” he continued of the logistical side of things.
“If you are motivated, you can do it. We’ve had Ulster teams and Phoenix CC teams doing Premier Calendar races in England.
“We’ve great links in Brittany, Belgium, worldwide really; as a nation we have a great reputation and are welcome. If anyone wants to go and the funds are there, we can get them in.
“The bigger question is; when are the riders are ready for it?”
As well as being one of Ireland's best ever road riders, McCann (far right) coaches and worked as a directeur with UCI Continental team Synergy Baku for a period since his retirement from competition (Photo: Jim Chen)
The former national champion currently works for himself as a coach; from assisting clubs at underage level all around the North and west to coaching professionals worldwide.
He’s seeing the hard work being done on the ground and would love more support from the sport’s governing body.
“There’s a lot there the federation can do to help out clubs, not just financially but advice, encouragement, and a nudge into actually getting into the races.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on outside the federation and it’s fantastic.
“With Dany Blondeel, we hatched the plan to use his network in Belgium and the amount of Ulster riders who have gone over to race on a small budget through our friends in Belgium is amazing.
“We’ve gotten a lot of Ulster riders over there and there’s so many people want to help, it's brilliant.
“There is more of that sort of initiative that the federation could be getting on board with, or, ideally, leading.
“It is of course hard when you don’t have the budget yourself but I think partnership funding is the obvious way to maximise the return on investment.
“We’re a small island with a small population and you really have to have everyone with you and get everyone on board.
“A lot of clubs are doing a lot of good work and any help the federation can give to help them is what we’re after.”
Riding for Synergy Baku on his way to silver during the elite men’s National Time-Trial Championships in Carlingford, Co Louth, 2013 (Photo: Stephen McMahon – Sportsfile)
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