Press release 18/01/2021
In 2021 VC Glendale will be Forty Years old, the club was formed in 1981 by Mark Graham (photo above) who had a vision of a top-ranked racing club born inWest Belfast. Mark in 1981 was way ahead of the game and knew all the ins and outs of bike racing happening on a faraway continent known as Europe. He was so far ahead of the game he picked the best-looking race jersey for his new club (The Belgium National Jersey) and so “The Dream” was born. Mark recruited the best talent in Belfast to join his team and Glendale never looked back! Sadly, Mark Passed away in 1986 in a traffic accident on his way to a Cyclo-Cross race in Rostrevor but the club was formed and was set to flourish over the next two decades because of his vision and passion!
Many riders have come through the ranks of VC Glendale in Belgium Blue or the sponsors kit (Planet X etc) of that year, these include top riders like Thomas Evans (Ras winner), Ciaran Power(professional with Linda McCartney) David O’Louglin (Ireland’s first UCI world track medallist), Martyn Irvine (world Track Champion) and Phillip Deignan(Sky Professional and Vuelta Stage winner) all backed up by a strong squad of riders including Brendan Graham, Brendan Doherty, ColmWatson, Barry Monaghan, Denis Easton and Frank Campbell at theHelm
In 2021 VC Glendale is planning on bringing the club back to its former glory with an array of coaching talent and experience of some aforementioned riders and a lot of new members and experience. We are planning on setting up a race academy team and are seeking expressions of interest from riders ranging from U14/U16, junior andU23 riders. The aim of this academy will be to develop young riders in all disciplines to help them become successful senior racers. What we are looking for from riders is a commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn and constantly improve, and the ability to work as part of a team. This team will help develop Young riders through a tricky period of racing years and lend them countless years’ experience and coaching on a free basis the academy will help the youth in any way it can but won’t offer free bikes, equipment or Kit. If this is something you feel that you’d be interested in being a part of, please send your expressions of interest and CV to vcglendale@btinternet.com.
