As the countdown to London 2012 continues, Macclesfield Wheeler Colin Lynch is on course to fulfil his ambition of representing Ireland in the paracycling events.
Having represented Ireland at the World Road Championships in Canada last year, he has been in action this week at the world track championships at Monitchiari, near Brescia, in Italy.
Lynch competed in both the 1k time trial and 3k individual pursuit. He finished sixth in both events, a fraction of a second off a podium place in the pursuit and posting a personal best by three seconds in the time trial. Lynch set new Irish records in his class for both events as well as in the team sprint.
Back home, the domestic racing season has begun and already the Wheelers have scored some notable successes.
In the Nova 2-Up 25-mile time trial on the notoriously tough and hilly Chain and Gate course, Chris Higgs teamed up with her daughter Louise to finish just outside the top 10 with a time of 1:13.17 but easily took the prize for the fastest ladies team.
Steve Burke and Roger Wrenn faced the starter in the Manchester and District 10-mile TT on the Twemelow-to-Chelford course with Burke (23.22) finishing in eighth and Wrenn taking the veterans’ prize by two minutes with his 25.15.
Sunday saw the annual Three Loops reliability trial hosted with customary efficiency by Elaine Perrin.
Despite the wet and cold conditions at the start, eight riders set off for the full ride of 200km, seven opted for the 150km ride and nine for the 100km route.
All completed the ride safely with only a couple of mechanical incidents and it was the first time riding over 100 miles for both Fred Wardle and Mark Butterworth.
