Sport

Dignam dangles Tour bait to get the crowds

Dermot Dignam, as well as being organiser of the FBD Milk Ras and chairman of the FIC development committee, also has responsibility…

By JIM MCARDLE
Fri Nov 07 1997 - 00:00

Dermot Dignam, as well as being organiser of the FBD Milk Ras and chairman of the FIC development committee, also has responsibility for arranging the champions' night function on Saturday, November 29th, in Malahide, and he has announced an attractive incentive for those who purchase tickets early.

For all who pay a week in advance, by November 22nd, there will be a draw for two tickets to the Tour de France team presentation and gala concert before the Tour start in Dublin next July. That is expected to be a spectacular event, with entertainment provided by some international show business stars.

Dignam said the annual medals presentation part of the FIC function is being streamlined to allow more time for "eating, drinking, dancing and craic". Jean-Marie Leblanc, director general of the Tour de France, will be guest of honour.

Morgan Fox was the principal championship winner; he took the road race title at Carrick-on-Suir at the end of June, with David McCann second and Raymond Clarke third. Clarke emerged best in the classic league. Michael McNena won the new, under-23 championship.

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Scott Hamilton was again the 10 and 25-mile time trial champion, while the 50 TT title went to Ian Chivers. David Peelo was the winner of the most number of championships, as he took two track titles and the hill climb.

There will also be an award for cyclist of the year: the result of the ballot will be announced on the night.

Only one French coach, Roger Pelletier, came for the coaching sessions organised by Brendan Donoghue last week in Dublin, Limerick and Belfast and, despite poor attendances, the venture proved worthwhile. Pelletier is assistant national technical director in France.

Donoghue was very disappointed with so few turning up. There were only 20 - from Amev, MAD and Les Jeunes - at the opening session on the holiday Monday at the track at Sundrive Road. Although Pelletier was impressed with the facilities available at the NCTC in Limerick, there were just 19 in attendance there for the course for Munster and Connacht clubs, from Killorglin, Tuam and Blackwater.

Belfast had the biggest turn-out, 38 from 14 clubs, and at the final session in Dublin, which was mainly for members of the national squad, there were just 32, including seniors, juniors, women and under-16.