The Irish Cycling Federation (ICF) have become the latest sporting body to cancel its immediate sporting fixtures due to the foot and mouth crisis. The racing season was due to begin this weekend with competitors travelling from all over the country to venues in Annaclone, Navan and Cork, but these events will now not take place because of the risks of spreading the virus.
According to Ciaran McKenna of the ICF, races are suspended for the next fortnight at least, with further cancellations certain if the crisis lingers. The ICF have also asked competitors not to travel abroad to events elsewhere. "It would make no sense for people to be prevented from racing here but to be able to go abroad and carry on", he said.
However, while preparation races are likely to be disrupted, for the moment at least there appears to be no immediate danger to the country’s premier event, the FBD Milk Rás. Race organiser Dermot Dignam stated today that he is confident that the eight-day stage race would continue as planned on May 20th-27th.
"The crisis is certainly worrying, but hopefully it will be brought under control quickly and the event can go ahead", Dignam said. "I am adapting that approach for the moment at least – we have the best teams ever lined up this year and it would be a great pity if the race had to be stopped."
