The Irish cycling team of four risers, led by David McCann attended the London 2012 test event and picked up vaulable information on the road race course on Sunday.
High Performance Director Phil Leigh used the opportunity to test run the OCI pre Games training base at Lensbury in Twickenham.
Sonia O’Sullivan and Stephen Martin met the riders and performance staff and discussed the logistics for the event and planning for 2012.
The hotel was transformed into a base for 3 days allowing the riders and performance team to optimise their preparation.
Martin travelled in the team car during the race with Leigh and coach Neill Martin getting a valuable insight to race stategy from competing nations.
Phil Leigh and the Irish Team prepare for the race alongside the German National Team.
The very best of riders were on show and enjoyed a site of the course, albeit a shorter version of the 2012 road race next year.
Martin Irvine picked up two punctures in the first 50k.
Peter Hawkins being transfered bottles of energy drinks from the team car on Box Hill.
The race started at the Mall and flowed out into the Surrey countryside, including Box Hill, before ending in spectacular fashion back at the Mall.
McCann, English, Irvine and Hawkins being announced to the huge crowds on the Mall.
Mark Cavendish won the London Surrey Cycle Classic, which served as the official Olympic test event.
Sam Bennett (An Post) and David McCann (Ireland) finished 42 seconds back and were best of the Irish riders in 27th and 30th.
The Irish Team was, David McCann, Martin Irvine, Felix English, and Peter Hawkins.
It was a very useful exercise for the OCI and Cycling Ireland.
