Clarke achievement a boost for track cycling

CLONMEL cyclist Ray Clarke, the former national road race cycling champion, surpassed all expectations and provided a massive shot in the arm for track cycling in Agile, Switzerland yesterday.

Finishing third behind two Koreans was enough to get him on the team that will travel to Athens for the Olympic Games next year.

The extraordinary thing about this success is that Ireland has no track facilities of any significance.

he platform for this success can be gauged by the involvement of Ciaran McKenna who brought Chris Boardman from Britain on board to coach a number of cyclists with Athens in mind.

Clarke of Cycleways/Lee Strand has been involved with the squad since it was formed in February.