Elections are necessary for three of the 10 positions on the FIC board at the tomorrow's annual general meeting in Malahide (10.30 a.m.), and while Pat McQuaid and Dermot Dignam are expected to repel challenges from Myles McCorry and John O'Mahony respectively, it will be a tight contest between Brendan Donoghue and Paddy Doran. McCorry is proposed by his club, Apollo from Lurgan, against McQuaid for the presidency, and it would be a big shock if there was a change at the top.
McQuaid is responsible for the Irish start to the Tour de France next year and he looks set to progress into the top echelon of UCI officials in charge of world affairs in the next few years.
McCorry (24), the Apollo secretary, takes the opportunity to voice their views. They maintain that Irish cycling is in a poor state and propose a four category licence system to improve the racing scene. Regarding the presidential election, however, McCorry said: "Due to the deserved popularity of McQuaid for his efforts and deeds, I realise my chances are slim to anorexic."
O'Mahony, of St Finbarr's, was a member of the board in 1992, but he has a huge task trying to dislodge Dignam as chairman of the development committee.
Donoghue has done well as chairman of the coaching committee, but Doran is an acknowledged top coach and will have a lot of support. The ideal solution would be for them to operate together, with Donoghue organising coaching matters and Doran doing the practical work.
Paddy Griffin and Peter Purfield are unopposed in their capacities controlling leisure and mountain bike affairs and they have only to be ratified.
The other board members entitled to stay in for another year are Jack Watson, Peter Thornton, Tommy Campbell, Frankie Campbell and Pierce Butler.
As treasurer, Thornton will be reporting a surplus of over £20,000. When he took over last year there was a deficit of £26,293, but following expenditure during the year of £263,736, compared with £325,557 in 1996, there is now a surplus of £20,740.
The expenses for Irish teams, at £77,546, was the largest item, followed by insurance, wages and grants. But with the national team director's contract not renewed and no replacement appointed, there was a consequent reduction in wages and expenses.
Frankie Campbell, chairman of the sporting committee, acted as national team director and, with no apparent plans to change that arrangement, the proposed income and expenditure budget for 1998 is £266,250.
The champions of the year will be honoured at the annual function in Malahide tomorrow night, with Jean-Marie Leblanc, director general of the Tour de France, the guest of honour.
