Hutchinson lands another Irish title

Michael Hutchinson won his second successive Irish national time-trial title in the elite men’s event in Carlingford, Co. Louth last night.

Hutchinson blasted around the 25-mile course in 50 minutes and seven seconds with former multi-champion David McCann (Synergy Baku Cycling Project) taking the silver and Colm Cassidy (Octto-Cervélo Team) bronze. They were 53 and one minute 27 seconds slower than Hutchinson.

The U23 title went to Ryan Mullen who set the second fastest time of the night with a time of 50mins 22secs.

Last year’s U23 champion and recent An Post Rás stage winner Conor Dunne (VL Technics – Abutriek) was second with Marcus Christie (Foyle CC) third.

The latter two clocked 51:27 and 51:28, respectively.

In the women’s event, Caroline Ryan lived up to her favourite’s billing when she won in a time of 57:56.

The Garda CC/Richies Bike Store rider, who claimed a bronze medal at the World Track Championships last year, took the title from Mel Spath (Team Tibco) and local women and fellow Garda CC rider Eve McCrystal.

Meanwhile, Britain’s challenger for the presidency of the International Cycling Union (UCI) found himself being quizzed by disgraced drugs cheat Lance Armstrong during a Twitter question and answer session last night.

Brian Cookson, the chairman of British Cycling, is challenging incumbent UCI president Pat McQuaid and held a Q&A session on the social media site.

One of his first questions was from Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after admitting to serial doping, and asked Cookson what his plans were for a truth and reconciliation commission – something the former US Postal rider has been pushing for. Armstrong asked: “any plans for a T&R Commission to FULLY understand mistakes of previous generations?”

Cookson took his time to respond, but 20 minutes later replied saying: “...would support a full truth and rec process if legal and practical hurdles can be overcome”.

The UCI has come under sustained fire for its handling of the Armstrong scandal, in particular for how it dealt with numerous previous accusations towards the American and for accepting donations from him.

Cookson addressed those issues directly saying he would “prioritise the allegations which implicate the UCI in cover-ups.

“Must be investigated independently and quickly”.

He also wants to create an independent anti-doping body for cycling as his “top priority”.