Celtic Chrono Launched at Stormont

Local cyclists lined up this week at Stormont to participate in the launch of the Celtic Chrono due to take place in May. This will be the only pre-Olympic Cycling event in the north. Cycling as a growth sport was well represented.

Amy Brice of Phoenix CC and Claire Oakley (WXC World Racing) represented women while members of Dromara CC cycled up from Dromara to take part in the photoshoot to represent the leisure side of things.

Family cycling was not forgotten either with Simon Stockton and his daughter lining up along with Paula Nugent and her son.

Jack Watson, Secretary and Vice-President of Cycling Ireland and Tommy Lamb, Chairman of Cycling Ulster were also in attendance while Eamon McCartan represented Sport NI.

Please see below for full press release

The Minister for Sport this week announced that Northern Ireland will play host to an international cycling event this May. Details of the Celtic Chrono, a Pre Olympic Elite Women Time Trial, were unveiled at Parliament Buildings by Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín.

A Chrono is the name given to a time trial and there are four in the world but never before has there been one in Ireland so now cyclists from across Ireland will have the opportunity to gain valuable time trial points, on their home turf.

Wendy Houvenaghel has confirmed she will compete alongside many former world champions as they prepare for the World Championships in Melbourne next month and compete for valuable Olympic points.

The Minister congratulated Celtic Chrono organiser, Garry Nugent. “Garry has worked with Sport Northern Ireland to attract international cyclists and devise an event which will also see the top ten female cyclists in Ireland and development riders from the provinces and from England, Wales and Scotland, all competing on our local roads. He has also brought together public and private sector funders to help deliver the event making the Celtic Chrono another terrific example of how sport can bring tourism, health and economic benefits to the Province.”

“We have already secured the Irish Paralympic Team and the Australian boxing team to train here and have already hosted 35 teams for the World Boccia Championships, an pre-Olympic qualifying event, with a further 25 countries competing here in the pre-Olympic qualifying Yonex Irish International Badminton Championships in December. Last month we saw three of the world’s top wheelchair basketball teams train and compete in Antrim and now we have the worlds best female cyclists competing here. There is no doubt that Northern Ireland is working hard to use the 2012 Games as a catalyst for increased sports participation and create a legacy.”

Garry added, “It has been superb to have not only the backing of DCAL and Sport Northern Ireland but also Belfast City Council and Ards Borough Council and the NI Assembly to assist with the use of their facilities and roads. The PSNI, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Cycling Ireland have also joined the team along with private sector companies such as Eventsec, Ramada Hotel and Kingsbridge Private Hospital.”

Final plans are now in place and full details can be found on www.celticchrono.com. The 22 mile time trial will commence at 9am within the grounds of Stormont Estate, travel towards Newtownards, Bangor, Holywood, Tillysburn and return to Stormont so there is plenty of opportunity for people to see a world class sporting attraction.

The Celtic Chrono on May 13^th will also include a leisure cycle for all the family and to help raise funds for the designated charities, Action Cancer, NSPCC, Diabetes UK and Aware Defeat Depression.

Marian Lamb