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Return of a Cycling Legend
26.11.09
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
Tour De France legend Sean Kelly returns to
Inishowen for the second time in six months this
weekend when his cycling road-show makes a stop in
the peninsula.
Over 100 cyclists from throughout Ireland will join
members of the local North Pole Cycle club for the
two-day event, which gets underway this Saturday,
the 28th of November.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent, Carl
Fullerton, Secretary of the North Pole Cycle Club,
says this weekend’s tour will cap the biggest year
in the club’s short history.
“Sean Kelly will be here next Saturday for two days
of training around Inishowen. There has been a lot
of interest in the event and the Inishowen Gateway
has been booked out for the weekend for some time
now.
“Sean has done this type of event in Mayo in
previous years and it was always well supported. I
am very pleased that he has chosen Inishowen this
time around and North Pole Cycling will do all it
can to ensure an enjoyable weekend for all
participants.”
Mr Fullerton says the forecast is for near ideal
conditions with dry, cold and calm weather expected
for riders to enjoy.
“Each day there will be a tea-break in Culdaff in
the Village Hall around mid day and this will be a
good place to meet Kelly for anyone not cycling. The
ride will be controlled at a moderate pace and will
suit anyone who cycles on a regular basis.
From doing these rides in the past in know that Sean
likes nothing more than to pull alongside riders and
give them tips.” |
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On Saturday evening the
will be a four course dinner at the Inishowen
Gateway followed by a Question and Answer session
with the man himself. There are still some tickets
for the dinner left. These can be purchased at
Fullerton’s Shop, Buncrana.”
Sean Kelly training events have mushroomed in
popularity in recent years. They are held in France
and Spain as well as different parts of Ireland.
This weekend’s route takes in most of the major
towns and villages on Inishowen.
The event will give a boost to the Inishowen Gateway
Hotel at what is normally a quiet time for bookings
and Mr Fullerton says the training race can become
an annual fixture.
Meanwhile, at the recent Cycling Ireland AGM it was
announced that North Pole Cycle club have become
fourth largest club in the country.
“We are now the biggest club in Ulster, only two
Dublin clubs and Mullingar are bigger than us
nationally. We have 130 members now, not bad for a
club that only started with a handful of people back
in July 2006. I think our success has been that
because we cater for a wide range of age groups. We
are an inclusive club. A quarter of our members are
under 18 and another quarter over 40.”
Fullerton said the club, who held their AGM last
week, recently made provisions for future expansion
by appointing an official to oversee youth
competition.
“We’ve had some great results this year with Mark
Buchanan taking a national title in the All Ireland
B Road Race, Rory Devlin winning the Phoenix Cup and
Willie John McLaughlin’s fantastic performance at
the Cranford Cycle race. Hopefully next year will be
even more successful.” |
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