Cycling Ireland has announced that Aqua Blue Sport will be the official sponsors of the recently launched monthly awards. For 2018, Cycling Ireland restructured the popular Member Awards to include monthly recognition in the following categories; Female Rider, Male Rider and Volunteer.
Rick Delaney, team Aqua Blue Sport owner said, “There is a lot of incredible talent coming through the ranks in Ireland. We, at Aqua Blue Sport, are very excited to be able to work with Cycling Ireland in recognising and awarding this talent.”
Cycling Ireland Communications Officer Heather Boyle said, “The Aqua Blue Sport Team are paving the way for our up and coming riders, competing at the top level of the sport. Having them on board as sponsors recognising the achievements of riders at the amateur level, and of our brilliant volunteers is very fitting and welcome.”
The Female Rider of the Month for February was Lydia Gurley – the Galway rider stormed onto the track cycling scene in Ireland over the past two years, already picking up medals on the world stage. In February she was competing in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Apeldoorn, where a brave move in the Scratch Race saw her almost gain a lap on the field to compete for medals. Her move was reeled in agonisingly close to the line – resulting in a 15th place finish. Lydia has already climbed onto podiums at major events – winning a silver medal in the Women’s Madison at the European Championships last year, and a bronze medal in the Scratch Race at the Track World Cup in Cali.
The winner of the Male Rider of the Month for February was Darragh O’Mahony. The Corkman competing for French club Nogent sur Oise, displayed strong form already this year with a 3rd place finish in the 138km Grand Prix du Pays d’Aix, followed by a 2nd place in the Grand Prix de Chateaudun one week later. The 20 year old has been a regular on the Irish team, competing in the U23 ranks for the past two years.
