Cycling Season Starts with a bang!
The racing last weekend centred around events at Banbridge and Nutt’s Corner, with a large contingent of North Down riders demonstrating that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the up-coming season.
Preparation for New Cycling Season
The benefits of having a sports scientist ‘on board’ were very evident last Friday night when Darren McWilliams gave an extremely in-depth talk to North Down Cycling Club members. In his address, which included a question and answer session, the requirements necessary to maximize performances in the up-coming cycling season were highlighted. Darren drew on his considerable understanding and his undoubted expertise in the area to underline some valuable and important points which will help North Down’s cyclists compete with the highest possible degree of efficacy.
For example, Darren pointed out that good nutrition was crucial as research has shown that endurance performance will be maintained if athletes replace lost fluid and carbohydrate during exercise. The importance of replacing carbohydrate and / or fluid will depend on the conditions in which exercise is conducted.
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Snow Joke
Last weekend when many sporting events across the country were postponed or cancelled because of the inclement weather, the North Down Cycling Club members proved they were made of sterner stuff. Undaunted by horrendous weather, they ventured out on their normal weekend cycle and, in spite of howling gales and driving snow, managed to complete their customary cycle. All of this will stand them in good stead for their forthcoming cycle tour in warmer climes, Majorca!
Cycling Season Beckons
It’s hard to believe that the 2009 road racing season is only three weeks away. Excitement in the North Down camp is certainly high and gauging by the preparation put in over the winter this optimism should not go unrewarded. What adds to the anticipation this year is the continental styled squad set-up with directeur sportif, soigneur, mechanic and sports scientist, designed to structure the racing team.
Belgian Cycling Link Launched
An exciting initiative for young Northern Ireland cyclists was launched at the weekend in Newtownards, the brainchild of Ards-exiled Flandrian Dany Blondeel. Blondeel, a tireless volunteer for the sport in Ulster has used his roots in Belgium to forge links with some major cycling teams in his native land. Last year he organised the participation of the Decock Capino team in the P&O Irish Sea Tour of the North at Easter, and from that his plans grew in to what is effectively a feeder programme for local cyclists in to professional racing in Belgium and beyond.
North Down Cyclists Honoured
Two of North Down Cycling Club’s up and coming stars, Jessica Laird and Stuart Henry, were honoured last week at Hillsborough Castle when they were presented with SportsAid Awards by none other that the icon of Northern Irish sport, Mary Peters. Jessica, well known for her exploits on mountain bikes, switched to road racing last year and made an immediate impact, gaining selection to compete for Ireland in Holland and Belgium. Stuart, who like Jessica is in upper-sixth form pupil at Regent House School, has a string of accolades and is currently the OCS Young Sports Person of the Year for Northern Ireland. All those involved in North Down Cycling Club hope this will be the spring board for even greater things for both young cyclists in the 2009 season.