Paul Fitzsimons took over the Captaincy of the Club for the 2002/2003 season. With the departures of Alan Lane - after years of excelling in UCD, and last season’s top performer Timothy Ahern, not much was expected for the 2003 Cycling Ireland season. In fact, Ahern, was in line to receive a Sports Scholarship had he not decided to go on an erasmus to Italy, such was the reputation he built up last season.
Although studying abroad, Ahern did occasionally return to compete domestically for UCD and he was unfortunate to narrowly miss out on an Intervarsity Road title, picking up a silver medal in the Galway hosted championships.
Erasmus student Ross Hooker joined the experienced David Lane in the Gorey 3-day. Both riders starred throughout the popular Easter weekend stage race. Lane was to successfully complete a hat-trick of stage races this season – each in different province – by participating in the Cork 3-day and Newry 3-day. 2003 again saw UCDCC involve itself in the competitive side of the Rás Tailteann. Canadian Ross Hooker was funded by the Club to ride under the banner of UCD/Naas CC. Regretfully UCDCC wasn’t in a strong enough position to field a team of its own but Ross rode well throughout the 8-day stage race and kept the UCD colours flying.
For the record the college racing team consisted of Club Captain, Paul Fitzsimons, David Lane, Andrew O’Carroll, Timothy Ahern, Ross Hooker, and Eoghan de Bhulbh.
For his exploits in the Rás, Ross Hooker captured the Rider of the Year award, while Timothy Ahern, won the Special Achievement Award (which replaced the Club League Award) for his podium finish at the intervarsities. The Mountainbiking Award was captured by Brendan Kilbride.
No comments:
Post a Comment