By Tommy Campbell
Westport in Co. Mayo is better known as a tourist destination, but you would be forgiven if you thought it had a stranglehold on Irish cycling championships.
For the fourth occasion this season, the town will host yet another Irish championship. This time around, it will be the National Criterium Championship, which will be staged in the town on Saturday (August 19) at 7.30pm sharp.
In June, they promoted the men's, ladies' and Under-23 championships and if you thought that was a hectic load, also in the mix was as stage of the FBD Insurance Ras in May. So, Mayo Wheelers CC and their loyal members will be out again at the weekend.
The town held its first criterium (round-the-houses race, normally on a short circuit about 1km or less and lasting an hour plus five laps) back in 2003, and it proved to be a spectacular event, taking in Bridge Street, Mill Street and the South Mall.
The defending champion is Eugene Moriarty of MyHome.ie/Cycleways.com, who has won on this circuit before. Moriarty's preparation has not been to his satisfaction because of injury, though: "I think it is an ideal circuit for spectators and cyclists alike and I hope I can do myself justice and retain the trophy," he said. "Fortunately, more than other teams, I'll have strong team support which I think will come down in my favour."
Presented by a strange set of circumstances, the majority of the professionals who ply their trade overseas are in Ireland at the moment. It would be a bonus for Mayo Wheelers and the people of Westport if some of them were in attendance, particularly road race champion David McCann who won the road title here in June.
Originally Midleton Wheelers were to run the event at the beginning of the month, but dropped out and the Mayo club took up the rein, not knowing that they could have a humdinger of a race with the professionals included.
Unfortunately there is a clash of events because Mayo Wheelers came in at short notice for the criterium, but the national track championships which also take place on Saturday and Sunday is unlikely to suffer and a full programme is envisaged.
Along with the usual junior, ladies and senior men categories, demonstration events will be held for tandem riders and vets with a view to making these permanent categories in 2007. However, this is strictly dependent upon there being a sufficient turnout with at least 10 riders required to ensure future viability of a vets category. Volunteers to work as holders, etc. are also required to help out with the championships.
