Team Isle of Man will compete in this years An Post Ras which starts on the outskirts of Dublin on Sunday. The team lead by 1997 Winner Andrew Roche are on of the strongest we have sent in many years. Christian Varley has jetted in from America while VC Ardennes rider Chris Nicholson joins the team from Belgium. Cycle Premier - Kovert rider Tom Black (TMT) and Greame Hatcher complete the rest of the line up. The first stage is 147kms running down to Killkenny with a further 158km on Day 2. More from Microgaming here Follow the race website here. Good luck lads get stuck in !

Please note, the original Start Sheet has been revised to spread certain riders out a bit fairer. Please check again to see if your start time has changed:

Sundays Mountain Time Trial start sheet can be found here

TEAM MANX TELECOM

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

THE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL

PRESENT

THE COLIN NELSON MEMORIAL MOUNTAIN TIME TRIAL

20TH MAY 2012

STARTING AT THE GRANDSTAND

FIRST PERSON OFF 0700 HOURS

ENTRIES CLOSE WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY

NO ENTRY ON THE LINE

(85 MAXIMUM) ENTRIES TO JIM COTTIER

IF YOU ARE NOT RIDING AND WOULD LIKE TO MARSHAL

THIS EVENT I AM LOOKING FOR 8 VOLUNTEERS.

3 IN DOUGLAS

1 AT MAROWN SCHOOL

1 AT BALLACRAINE

1 AT PARLIAMENT SQUARE

1 AT CREG NY BAA

1 AT SIGNPOST CORNER

THANK YOU

Jim Cottier

116 Ballanorris Crescent, Friary Park

Ballabeg, Castletown

Isle Of Man IM9 4EU

01624 823 974

jimescottier@manx.net

Manx Viking Wheelers will host the Tour of the West which is also Round 3 of the Road Race series on Sunday 13th May.

Signing on will be from 8 a.m. at Tynwald Mills cafe with the A race getting under way at 9 a.m. followed by the B race at 9.15 a.m. The A race will be 5 laps (approx 72 miles) and the B race 3 laps (approx 43 miles). There is a slight change in the course this year in that it will start at Ballig Bridge and finish on the Poortown Road just beyond the Quarry entrance.

Entries should be sent on a current TLI entry form with the correct payment to Brian Johnson, Cintra, Alexander Drive, Douglas, IM2 3QX by Thursday 10th May at the latest. Cheques should be made payable to Manx Viking Wheelers. Refreshments will be served to all competitors and officials after the race at The Cat That Cafe at Tynwald Mills

Team Manx Telecom rider Chris Nicholson is currently living in Belgium riding for VC Ardennes Lotto. Chris is supported by the Cavendish scholarship through Manx Sports Aid Foundation and is also supported by the Dave Raynor Fund. Follow his progress on his blog here

The Bikestyle Handicap series kicks off on Friday 27th. Series organiser Steve Shimmin sends through this update:

We have a fantastic entry of 72 competitors to date. I can still accommodate any late Series entries so if you know anyone who would like race tell them to contact me......the more the merrier!

The initial registration will be a little hectic, so can I ask all that still have outstanding paperwork to make an effort to get it to me prior to the event if possible. I am Start Timekeeper at the 10 tomorrow and will be happy to take any forms and especially entry fees!

The weather forecast for Friday is for showers so we should be ok as long as the showers don't last for periods of 3 hours! It's not ideal for tomorrow though.

Can I ask all newcomers to bunch racing to make themselves known to me? I would like to brief you all prior to the start to ensure that you are comfortable. Nerves are expected but there is no reason to fear your baptism to road racing I want you all to have good fun and be safe...oh and possibly win!

To all the 'old hands' and newcomers please take responsibility for riding sensibly during the race. Do not stray over the road centre line, pay particular attention on the entrance and exit of corners and always be aware of traffic and pedestrians. Be respectful to other road users when warming up and let them go about their daily business without blocking the road by riding in groups etc. Always obey the instructions of marshals and officials.

Thanks one again to Bikestyle for sponsoring the series. We will let you know the venue and date of the prize presentation shortly.

Look forward to seeing you on the start line.

Steve

Prince Charles and Camilla will visit the Island on Thursday as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. They will visit the National Sports Centre where they will watch members of Team Royal London 360 youth cycling club take part in a short demonstration race, which the royal couple will be invited to start. That is due to take place on Thursday from 6pm.

World Team Pursuit Champion and Team Manx Telecom member Peter Kennaugh will meet their Royal Highnesses aswell as Dot Tilbury MBE from Team Royal London 360.

Team Manx Telecom rider Tom Black took another impressive victory at the weekend in the Emergency Services Road Race in the Preston area on Saturday. The race over 100km which was held on the tough Bashall Eaves circuit attracted a field of around fifty riders in what was a race open to every category licence holder. The Cycle Premier Kovert rider got into the early move and broke clear with around 30mile left in the race. Black later said "I closed a gap on the climb just after the start finish which looked to be dangerous. I put the pressure on to see if anyone would respond and I was away on my own". At the finish Black had well over a two minute lead on Championship Winner Grahame Sumner from Wheelbase. More from VeloUk.net here

On Sunday Black rode a round of the Darley Moor closed circuits races finishing 3rd in a mad dash for the line in very wet conditions. Black was in a 7 man break which formed early on in the race. More here

  In the space of 30 minutes yesterday Team Sky professional Peter Kennaugh and Ben Swift became World Champions in Melbourne at the World Championships. The pair who are Onchan resident's and can be requarly seen training together back on the Isle of Man took victory in the Team Pursuit final and the Scratch Race final. Kennaugh along with Clancy,Burke and Thomas beat Australia in the final. They set a new world record of 3.53.295 just over a tenth of a second ahead of their rivals. Big turns by Geraint Thomas and Peter Kennaugh re-established GB’s lead in the third quarter of the race and with just 3 laps to go they seemed to have it won with a 0.7 second margin. More here

Ben Swift won GB’s second gold medal of the opening day with a brilliantly ridden race, characterised by moving effortlessly into promising moves and watchful marking of other moves with powerful turns on the front. With a lap to go Swift pulled the winning move of the race and went onto become World Scratch Champion. 2nd went to Russian Nolan Hoffman with Dutch Wim Stroetinga in 3rd. More here

Well done to Pete and Swift from everyone on the Island. The posse can't wait to train with you ! The pair are due back on the Island next week and could be likely starters in the Teare Trophy road race along with World Champion Mark Cavendish.

Pictures from Guy Swarbrick More here

Cycle Premier rider Tom Black has finished 2nd at Darley Moor Closed Circuit races today. The Premier Group sponsored rider was caught with 700meters to go after escaping a 15man break away which formed early on in the race. Black attacked the group with 4 laps remaining and was looking like he'd take his second win this season but was beaten to the line by a talented Node 4 Giordana rider (name t.b.c). Black held on for a well deserved 2nd place in the ELite/1/2/3 event. There were several other top riders in attendance from teams such as Raleigh. More including pictures and links later.

World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish picked up the Sportsman of the Year awards last night at a packed Villa Marina at the annual Sports Awards night. The BBC Sports Personality of the year made a flying visit back to the Island and later said on his twitter page "Well, won Isle of Man Sportsman Award. Great night again. Love seeing the passion people have for their sports & our Island. #proud". Cav is to sponsor three promising young athletes including cyclist Chris Nicholson, swimminers Charlotte Atkinson and Laura Kinley. This is the Mark Cavendish scholarship from Sports Aid Foundation. Nicholson is based in Belgium for the year and is also supported by the Dave Raynor Fund and Consiter Bank you can follow his progress on his blog here. More from Manx Radio here. Pictures and more later. 

Entries are open for the 2012 edition of the popular Bikestyle series of handicap road races. This series of six 25 mile races are perfect for both beginners and experienced racers, the handicap format ensuring everyone get's a challenge on the night. 

The series entry forms are available from Bikestyle or you can enter by sending a standard TLI entry form to event organiser Steve Shimmin at:

4 BIRCH HILL GARDENS, ONCHAN, ISLE OF MAN, IM3 4ET

Entries close 20th April 2012.

Download the series rules here

Isle of Man Cycling is presenting a ‘school of racing’ aimed at 12 – 18 year old competitive cyclists looking to improve their race skills. The day long session focuses on bunch riding, gearing work, cornering, braking and criterium skills. The session is based on British Cycling’s Regional School of Racing and will be delivered by qualified and trainee BC coaches. The session is about learning not just training. This one session is not going to make you fit, the work you do in your own time is where the engine gets bigger, what we can do is help you use it better. This said, the riding will be tough because of the amount we do in the lessons and the speed we end up practicing at. Priority will be given to the 12 – 18 year old age category but if there is not sufficient numbers this session may be opened up to other age categories so please get in touch if you think this session will improve you as a competitive bike rider. The session will be free of charge and there will be up to 30 places available. Anyone interested in attending or requiring further info could you please email Rob at robholden@manx.net or phone 473055.

Christian Varley is riding the tough 3 Day Redlands Bicycle Classic in America this weekend. The Team Manx Telecom rider is competing for the Simple Green-Bike Religion squad. Varley finished 83rd on the first road stage yesterday with Patrick Bevin taking the win. Francisco Mancebo is among some of the compeititors taking part and development squads Trek Livestrong and BMC-Hincapie Team are also there.  The tour continues today with a Criterium round Redlands and Varley will be hoping for some better luck after puncturing in the front group today and loosing more than 5minutes due to an illegal bike in the opening prologue. Keep at it Varley ! We look forward to reporting on your success's. 

100% Me Great Britian Academy rider Joe Kelly is currently competing as part of the Great Britian National Squad in the tough week long Tour of Normandy. The Sports Aid Recipient finished 101st on Stage 3 yesterday while Enudra's Ian Wilkinson took a well deserved victory from a four man breakaway. Overall Kelly is 114th with Wilkinson lying in 5th spot on general classification. The tour continues today with a 100km stage from Aubevoye to Elbeuf-sur-Seine. 

This weekend sees the first round of the popular Peter Buckly Junior road race series commence with the Cadence Road Race on Sunday. Locals Joe Kelly and Alex Haddock will be flying the flag for the Isle of Man while up and coming star Josh Knights will be riding for his new Mountivation Cycling Development Academy team. Meanwhile Jonathan Cregeen and Tom Black will be in action for their respective UK trade teams. VC Ardennes rider Chris Nicholson is also in action in Belgium and Christian Varley is riding the tough Redlands 3 Day Bicycle Classic in America.

The Fletcher Trophy takes place over the tough Island Games 2001 course with the first rider away at 9.01am. Don't forget the clocks change ! 

World Road Race Champion and Laxey man Mark Cavendish is due to start the popular Gent Wevelgem 1 Day classic in Belgium on Sunday. The Team Sky rider rode Dwars door Vlaanderen on Tuesday suffering a late crash just 20km from the finish.  Niki Terpstra Omega Pharma Quickstep took victory while 15 riders escaped from the peleton.

This Sunday sees the Fletcher Trophy Time trial over the tough Creg Willeys Coast road course. Get your entries into Ian Brand buy printing off an entry form here. Then pop it in the post to him !  First rider away from 10am. More information inc. start sheet later.

The next event locally is the Curraghs Classic Sportive on Easter Monday and the Teare Trophy RR on Sunday 15th April. Don't forget though the ever popular Consiter Bank 10 League kicks off Wednesday 4th April first rider away 6.45pm from Jurby parade ground. 

100% Me Great Britian Academy rider Joe Kelly is due to start the tough week long UCI Tour of Normandy stage race today. Kelly along with Doull,Atkins,Slater,Yates and Moses are just one of a number of British teams on the start list. Endura Racing and Rapha Condor - sharp are also competing. More from VeloUK.net here

Biketreks RT Jonathan Cregeen competed in round three of the Cycling Developments North West Road Race series at the weekend. The Lancaster University student finished 42nd in the peleton after a tough race on a hilly circuit in the lake district area. Node 4 Giordanas Peter Williams made it three out of three with a convincing win with team mate Higgins 3rd and Cronshaw 4th. The next round takes places on Sunday 1st April. 

An Post Sean Kelly rider and Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist Mark Christian finished 76th in the tough 1 day Belgium race Nokere-Koerse today. The Isle of Man Sports Aid Reciepient who is nominated for Un21 Sportsman of the Year rode strongly throughout the 195km event coming home in a 10man group at 1minutes 36seconds. The race was won by Omega QuickSteps Francesco Chicchi who timed it perfectly down to the last few metres. Christians teammate Kenneth Bilsen finished 22nd in the same group as the winner. Other Brit's to compete included Chicchis teammate Andrew Fenn, Adam Blythe (Bmc Racing), Mark McNally and Hamish Haynes. More here

Mark Cavendish and his fellow team sky team mates finished 4th fastest on the opening stage of this years Tirreno-Adriatico. The stage involved a 16.9km team time trial which was won by GreenEdge in 18.41 second went to RadioShack-Nissan with Garmin-Barracuda taking third. The race continues tomorow with a 230km from San Vincenzo to Indicatore. More here from cyclingnews.com

The first round of the popular Black Grace Cowley sponsored road race series kicks off this weekend. The Ellan Vannin CC are promoting the Roy Killey road race in the North of the Island. Series Entry forms here or those just wanting to enter the round download a TLI form here and send to Ian Brand, 19 Close Quane Peel Isle of Man with the correct entry fee as per usual. Please remember everyone must be a TLI Member or you can enter as a Day member. More including HQ,Course and start sheet / times when we recieve them.