John Walsh took over as Captain for the 2004/2005 season and was determined to right some of the wrongs from the previous year. Indeed it was his enthusiasm and that of his cycle minded friends that saw him set up an impressive Sports EXPO stand.
Mountainbiking hot shot Philip Roche took over as Club Secretary and Brian Higgins was elected as Junior Treasurer. Pretty soon winter training began. Little time was wasted in setting up regular weekend spins. As the months progressed and the training became more intense a squad of 6 or 7 emerged, who would become the core of the UCD road team for the coming season.
Reigning inter-varsity road champion, Andrew McQuaid, received a Club Scholarship. McQuaid, whose older brother David was a former recipient of a Sports Scholarship, joined as a member of the Irish Elite and Under 23 cycling team. He is also on the preliminary squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the past 3 years he has represented Ireland at two World Championships, Belgium in 2002 and Italy in 2004, two European Championships, Greece in 2003 and Estonia in 2004, and at several other prestigious races across Europe.
Club Secretary, Philip Roche was instrumental in arranging the hosting of a round of the cyclo-cross season on the UCD campus in September. He was joined by John Walsh and Andrew McQuaid. It was the very first cycling race to be held in the Belfield campus. It was a tough event over 8 grueling laps. What had been designed as a super-fast course was slowed down a little by the rain we got over the course of the week. The lap had a longish tarmac section that took us through the start finish, two tricky single track sections, lots of grass, and two runs, one very fast run at the side of a soccer pitch, (you were jumping off the bike at about 15mph) and an uphill run in the meadow area. The race was won by Paul Christopher, with Owen Jeffries and Robin Seymour, taking second and third places respectively. Philip Roche was first of the UCD riders home in 7th place with John Walsh taking a very respectable 36th place in his first 'cross race.
The UCD racing team consisted of Club Captain John Walsh, Brian Higgins, Club Scholarship student Andrew McQuaid, Jean O’Connor, Singin J. Walsh, Gavin Haberlin, and John Ryan.
Cycling Ireland registered coach, Paddy Doran, helped with the training and gave valuable insights into what the expectations of the individual riders for the year might be. The road racing season kicked off with the Bray GP with many of the UCD team getting their first taste of competitive cycling. Despite the coaching sessions, performances were mixed but the roadies had their first race of the season under their belt and the rest of the season to look forward to. UCDCC didn’t have to wait long as Gavin Haberlin, in only his first season of competitive cycling, came home a fine fourth in the Jazzer Wherity Memorial Cup. Claims were echoed amongst the riders that breaking away on the day was “impossible” in the 54KM event; with each breaker being reeled in by the hungry pack. In the end it was a photo finish. “To be honest I had no idea where I’d finished until I saw the photo because there was nothing between second and fifth” said Gavin. “I was delighted to get a points finish after just five races in my first season. It’s a great sport and I’m already hooked on it!”
Races continued throughout the year with great results in both the Mtb and Road Intervarsities. Sunday the 3rd of April saw UL’s Mountain Bike Club host its 2nd annual cross country race event at Crag Wood in Killaloe. Competitors were blessed with a mixture of some beautiful spring sunshine and a cool breeze. Thirty-seven riders competed on what was considered a technically and physically demanding course.
The UCD team consisted of defending Inter-varsity Champion Philip Roche, Club Captain John Walsh, Cathal Darcy and Sergio Yvain. The UCD riders set the pace early on and three grueling laps later, team captain Roche crossed the line in 59 minutes and 5 seconds to comfortably retain his individual crown. Roche went away early on the first climb and extended his lead throughout. Next to finish was Sergio Yvain, who clocked a time of 1:10:33. It was a remarkable result given that the Erasmus student had to repair a puncture during the race. Completing the podium clean sweep was Cathal Darcy, who recorded a finishing time of 1:10:40. Not surprisingly the UCD mountainbikers captured the team title in the most comprehensive manner in inter-varsity history.
The road ‘varsities took place in awful conditions in Sligo with UCD fielding seven entrants. Club Captain, John Walsh was joined by defending Varsity Road Race Champion, Andrew McQuaid, Jean O’Connor, Gavin Haberlin, St. J. Walsh, and Brian Higgins. John Walsh had his personal ambition of completed a rare inter-varsity team double, having been part of the successful mountainbiking team. As the road and mountainbiking disciplines are poles apart in terms of facets of cycling, both the equipment, in terms of bikes, and skills required are very different. So much so that even competing in both events is a rare enough achievement in an age of specialization.
An 8-mile time-trial in the morning was followed by the road race in the afternoon. All members will no doubt remember just how cold conditions were, especially the UCD rider who raced without winter gear! Andrew McQuaid came though the unrelenting rain and coldness to secure a fantastic victory on the road stage. Unfortunately he missed out the overall victory by just a single point when the time-trial results were included. Unfortunately, the team award again eluded the Club.
The Club were delighted that Club Scholarship student, Andrew McQuaid, was selected on the back of some strong showings for the Leinster squad for Rás Mumhan. He rode strongly throughout the 3 day race. Not surprisingly, he was nominated Club Rider of the Year by his team mates.
The Special Achievement Award was won by Club Captain John Walsh for the massive effort he put in throughout the college year both on and off his road and off-road bikes. Philip Roche won his second Mountainbiking Award on the trot after retaining his intervarsity title.
Jean O’Connor led the Ladies section with great distinction posting some excellent placings throughout what transpired to be a very successful season in the Women’s Boot Inn League. She finished 3rd overall. She narrowly missed out on both the Club Rider of the Year and Special Achievement Awards.
In all it was a very positive year for UCD Cycling Club. New members got their first competitive exposure, while the experienced riders pushed their profiles even higher; most notably perhaps with Andrew McQuaid securing a place on the under 23 Ireland Squad and a very recent selection to the prestigious Sean Kelly Racing Team. The club now has a solid foundation to work off from next year, with an enthusiastic Gavin Haberlin set to take over at the helm.
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