By Tommy Campbell, Irish Independent, Evening Herald, Sunday Independent
The Merry-Go-Round is in full swing again for the Navan/Avonmore Cycling Club.
"I suppose we in the Navan club are gluttons for punishment," said Noel Clarke. "We got the season off to a flier back in March and here we are again propping up the calendar of events. I was disappointed last Saturday when we ran the Bellivor Grand Prix and no commissaire (referee) turned up. Talk about professionalism! We had good prizes, and no person in chare of the event. Anyway, that's beside the point. It is pleasing to put something back into the sport. I had great enjoyment in my day," said Noel Clarke.
On Sunday, Noel is back at the drawing board and this time out of the blocks will be the Klondyke Cup in Robinstown. "This is the 27th occasion that the race has been organised. But the real significance for Irish cycling is that 19 years ago, it opened the window of opportunity for cyclists from the different organisations in the country to come together and race."
"All winter they trained and socialised together, but once the racing season got under way, they went their separate ways. It was 19 years ago that the inkling of breaking down the barriers manifested itself. Only 12 turned upon the day for the 'Cup' but it was sufficient."
"Two weeks later Joe McCormack, who is hospitalised at the moment, ran another event and from then on there was no going back," said Noel.
Racing on Sunday gets under way at mid day for the underage with all the other categories under starters orders at two o'clock. It is expected that the Cycleways.Com team will start as favourites, with Aidan Crowley regarded as the main contender.
