A number of Ulster riders will be in hunt for National medals when the National Cycling Championships take place this weekend, with the action getting underway tomorrow (Thursday) evening in Kilcullen, with the Time Trial event over 40km.
Ulster are well represented in the various categories, however the Women`s event could well provide the closest interest with it being seen as a head-to-head between the former 25 mile record holder; Eileen Burns from Ballymena Road Club and the new record holder Anna Turvey (Tyneside Vagabonds), who recently bettered Burns` figure of 54.17 with a stunning 53.40 set on 7th May.
Eileen Burns, above, (Ballymena Road Club) will have a point to prove over her pre-event rival Anna Turey.
Tomorrow`s event could be a straight fight between this pair, and Eve McCrystal for the overall title.
Ulster is well represented with Judith Russell, Karen Hull and Joanne Regan also in the start line-up.
In the Para Cycling event, Ulster is also represented with Darrell Erwin (Ballymena Road Club) going in the H1-H5 category; his club-mate Steven Workman who goes in the C1-C5 event with Banbridge man Chris Burns in the same category, as is Phoenix rider Andrew Nicholson.
In the tandem event Bangor`s Ian Inglis teams up with his Black Rose Racing colleague Martin Gordon who start as one of the pre-event favourites.
Bangor`s Ian Inglis (R) will be teaming up with club-mate martin Gordon for a crack at the Tandem title
.
In the Under 23 and Elite ranks, there are a number of Ulster hopefuls who will line up in the 41 rider field which sees Asea`s Bryan McCrystal and team Sky`s Nicolas Roche as the men to beat.
The Ulster contingent includes –
Mark Downey. VC Toucy
Marcus Christie. Asea
Sean McIntyre. Caldwell Cycles
Chris McGlinchy. Chain Reaction Cycles
Marc Potts. Neon Velo
Craig Rea. Phoenix CC
Sean Featherstone. Newry Wheelers.
Benny Smyth. Armagh Down CC
Mark Millar. Velo Café Magasin
