Aine Doherty of Belfast club VC Glendale has put in a very strong ride at the HSBC UK Cyclo-Cross National Trophy Series. The Irish teenager was 6th in the U16 girls race.
She now moves up to 3rd place overall in the U16 British series after her performance on Saturday in ‘Round 4’ in Houghton Le Spring, Sunderland.
Doherty’s race at the weekend was won by Cat Ferguson (Hope Factory Racing) in a time of 29:39 from Imogen Wolff (Shibden Cycling Club) at 57 seconds, with Florence Greenhalgh (Bradford Olympic) 3rd at 1:13. Doherty finished in 6th, of 44 starters, at 1:35.
Darcy Harkness of VC Glendale, who represented Ireland in the U23 race at the World Cyclocross Championships earlier this month, was in action in the U23-Elite event in Britain at the weekend, placing 17th.
Cavendish crash in Ghent
Mark Cavendish has been diagnosed with broken ribs and a punctured lung after his crash in the Ghent Six Day yesterday. The British rider was briefly able to stand and wave to the crowd after his high speed spill but was then taken from the venue on a stretcher.
He spent last night in the intensive care unit at Ghent University Hospital and it has now been confirmed he has two broken ribs and a punctured lung. Cavendish looks set to remain in hospital for the next few nights.
“Just want to say how overwhelmed and thankful I am for all the support and well-wishes,” he said on Twitter. “So (Ghent) didn’t end the way we’d have preferred, I think it’s fair to say.
“Some water on the track, a high speed crash and a few barrel rolls later, I’m being treated for some broken ribs and a pneumothorax. In a bit of pain, but a couple of nights with the incredible staff here at Ghent by University Hospital should sort me out.”
German rider Gerben Thijssen suffered a minor mishap when his back wheel looked like it slipped on some water down the bottom of the track. That caused the rider behind him, Kenny DeKetele, to rub Thijssen’s wheel.
While DeKetele stayed upright, he soon went flying up the track and took out Lasse Norman Hansen, who was just behind. Cavendish also fell hard and tumbled down the track.
Peter Sagan apology
Peter Sagan has apologised for his actions when pulled over by the police in Monaco back in April as he was breaking a Covid-19 curfew. He had been in a nightclub and was a passenger in a car, being driven home, when the police stopped the car and a physical altercation ensued.
“Regarding the news that appeared today related to the night of April 25th, I wish to take this opportunity to convey my most sincere apologies,” Sagan said today after the matter broke in the news.
“It was an ugly experience that made me think profoundly and draw valuable lessons. I am truly sorry for this incident which will not happen again.”
Sagan got into a physical confrontation as he was being taken from the car, with one of the police officer’s injuring his hand. Sagan’s lawyer said his client acted in the way he did as he was unaccustomed to drinking and because he believed he was about to be taken to hospital for a compulsory Covid-19 vaccine.
The matter has now been before a court in Monaco and Sagan was fined €5,000 for his actions as well as €100 for breaking the curfew. The three-time world champion was also told to pay the injured police officer €1,500.
