Tom Boonen and Alessandro Petacchi go head to head this week for the first time in 2007 in the Tour of Qatar with first blood going to 2005 World Champion Tom Boonen.  Arguably the two fastest men in the world will duel it out all week long for the overall lead as well as each stage race.  The win put Boonen into the overall lead by seven seconds after his Quick-Step team won the opening stages team time-trial on Sunday and then the Belgian sprinted to victory yesterday.  Boonen won the event last year while Petacchi sat out most of the year through injuries.

Also featuring in the tour is the Sean Kelly development team featuring four Irish boys Mark Cassidy, Stephen Gallagher, Paul Healion and Paidi O’Brien.  They came in a respectable 36 seconds back on Boonen’s team in the time-trial.

It’s these early tours in the year that will set the phycological edge for the rest of the year between the sprinters.  Stage 3 runs today and you can follow it all on Eurosport.

Ex-sprinting great Tom Steels (who won a Tour de France stage in Ireland) also entered the race looking to show he still has what it takes with the fastest in the world but crashed out in the bunch sprint fracturing his collarbone and ending his tour.

Race report [cyclingnews.com]

XMTB Winter XCO League – Round 2 – Castle Park, Bangor 

Report by Andy Potts

The second round of XMTB’s Winter League attracted another excellent entry to Castle Park in Bangor on Sunday, and once again it was very encouraging to see so many new faces out on the course. In spite of a wet week prior to the event, the course remained in excellent condition, with the organisers using the reverse direction of the opening round route.

Having finished runner up in the opening Fun/Senior race, XMTB’s Robbie Lamont easily won Sunday’s race, leading the eight lapper from start to finish. Behind the tree trunk legged Vet, the action centred on a Youth versus Age battle for the remainder of the top placings. The opening lap saw Lamont rocket into an early lead, leaving his fellow ‘oldies’ Gary Wilson (East Antrim), Jon Runciman (Banbridge CC) and Paul McMennamin (Omagh Wheelers) to battle against ‘youngsters’ Graham Boyd, Neil McGimpsey, Jonny Beers (all XMTB) and Stuart Henry.

Click for photos by Andy Potts

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XMTB Winter XCO League – Round 1 – Castle Park, Bangor

Report by Andy Potts

The 2007 Winter Cross Country League began in superb style at Castle Park Bangor on Sunday with North Down’s Ray Brownfield scoring a surprise win. The XMTB promotion took place in splendid sunny conditions, though conditions on certain sections of the course proved tricky. The event also saw plenty of new faces, of all ages, many enjoying their first experience of XC racing.

The Fun/Senior/U-16 race took place over 8 laps of a compact circuit, forty riders lining up for the start. Getting the hole shot from the start was former Downhill ace Paul McMenamin (Omagh Wheelers), the Gortin based rider planning a season of XC action. Back in 1998 Paul won three DH titles. As McMenamin led through the BMX section, there was a pile up at the first jump after Banbridge rider Jon Runciman came off in spectacular style. The incident split the field, gladly no one was injured. Runciman remounted and continued at the rear of the field. East Antrim’s Gary Wilson never even got the length of the BMX track, his chain breaking on the start line, and he finally started after a delay of a couple of minutes, having switched to his son Jack’s bike.

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One of the first Professional tours of the new year is underway already with the Tour Down Under taking place this week.  Running from Tuesday 16th January through until this Sunday 21st January it includes the best riders from Australia as well as some top pro’s from across the world.  Sky Sports are doing evening highlights of the Tour with tonights package on Sky Sports 2 at 7pm.

For more on the tour, visit here: http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/

The Cycling Ireland Draft Calendar is now on line on the Cycling Ireland website.  Follow the Schedule link akong the top to be taken to the calendar or alternativly click the link below.  The Schedule section on the site will include a quick view of upcoming events as well as reports and photos from previous events we’ve covered.

2007 IRISH CYCLING SCHEDULE

Robin Seymour lifted his 15th title at sunny Banbridge yesterday, leading from almost start to finish. Lewis Ferguson vainly tried to keep pace but looked a little off form and was overhauled by Roger Aiken mid race. For a time it looked like Roger (wearing clashing Superman blue tights) might repeat his win of two years ago but Robin, well aware of the danger, kept up a high tempo to the finish. Full report and results to follow. Photos are now on line.

Race Photos »

Irish National Cyclo Cross Championships preview

This Saturday, 6th January, Irish Off Road Cycling legend Robin Seymour returns to school, and should he pass the test that awaits him he will lift the Irish National Cyclo Cross crown for an amazing fifteenth time.  The National Cyclo Cross Champs take place in the sprawling grounds of Banbridge Academy, the famous old school situated on the Lurgan Road on the edge of the County Down town.  For the promoters Banbridge Cycling Club, this will be the first time they have had the honour of promoting the prestigious cyclo cross event.

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