TQ Paper International Two Day - NE

Ireland, September 18-19, 2004

2003 results Stage List Preview Past winners

The Stages

Stage 1 - September 18: Cloghran road race, 64km
Stage 2 - September 18: Time trial, 2km
Stage 3 - September 19: Cloghran road race, 74km

Strong lineup for TQ Paper International

By Shane Stokes

One of the strongest women's fields ever seen in this country will line out in the TQ Paper International Two Day this weekend. Over sixty riders have entered the three-stage race, including competitors from the RG Charlottenburg team in Germany, plus the Dutch Team Movingladies Groenewoud and the W.V. Alcmaria Victrix squads.

Of these, the Moving Ladies Groenewoud team have the biggest history in the race, taking the overall title in 2001 and 2002 with Esther Van Der Helm. While she is not expected to attend this time, riders Sharon Van Essen, Inge Klep and Judith Helmink have all ridden well in the past. In 2002 Van Essen was fourth and Klep took fifth overall plus a stage win. Helmink was sixth overall in 2001. Last year, their good showing continued with Klep second on stages one and three and finishing sixth overall. Van Essen was tenth.

There will also be a number of strong competitors from Wales and England, setting the scene for a furious battle on the roads of North County Dublin.

In response, a strong lineup of Irish riders has been unveiled. Verona-destined competitors Louise Moriarty, Colette Swift and Mary Brennan will use the race as their final tune-up before the world championships, and will be joined by national champion Julie O'Hagan, Siobhan Dervan and Erin Turlington on the national team,

There will also be a Team Ireland B lineup comprising Roisin Kennedy, Orla Hendron, Siobhan Jacob, Gillian McDarby, Grace McNally and Emma Quirke, plus regional selections from Ulster and Leinster. The first of these two teams features Mary Boyd, Jemma Donaghy, Ann McFarland and Fiona Tracey while the Leinster selection includes Fidelma Fahey, Niamh FitzGibbon, Coleen Foley, Debs Gordon, Caroline Mooney and Susan O'Mara There are also several Irish women taking part in their own club colours.

The TQ Paper International starts Saturday with a flat 64 kilometre road race, taking in eight laps of the Boot Inn circuit and which will probably end in a sprint finish. Later that day the riders tackle a flat 2 kilometre time trial beside Dublin airport, which will give a clearer indication of those who have a chance of carrying off the final yellow jersey.

The second day of competition is over a now-traditional 74 kilometre course in north county Dublin, which winds out through the Naul, Stamullen and Ballyboughil villages and takes in several climbs along the way. The stage gives ample opportunity for attack and so a real shake-up is expected, with the top contenders scrapping it out all the way to the line.

Past winners

2003 Angela Hunter (GS Strada) 
 
Past winners by Mario Stiehl, www.world-of-cycling.com