Tour de France Winner to Join Lakeside Wheelers 50th Celebrations

Stephen Roche won the Mullingar GP (senior race ) 25th May 1978

akeside Wheelers is delighted to announce that Stephen Roche, an icon of Irish and world cycling will be joining members for two days in April as the club commences its Golden Anniversary celebrations. Securing one of the major names in the world of cycling is a huge coup for the club and the inclusion of Stephen Roche will add a very exciting dimension to the two-day event which is planned for April, 18th and 19th.

Roche’s career is littered with highlights, but most notably is his membership of a very elite club of only three individuals who have won the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and the World Championships in the same year. He is joined in this trio of greats by Eddy Merckx of Belgium who won cycling’s Triple Crown in 1974 and current phenomenon, Tadej Pogacar from Slovenia who managed this near impossible feat in 2024.

The Roche family, who hail from Dundrum in South County Dublin would be considered a dynasty in Irish cycling with Stephen’s brother, Laurence, his son Nicolas and his nephew, Dan Martin all having raced professionally. His other son Alexis, also dipped his toe in the peloton but only for a very short time although he did win the famous Stehpen Roche GP in 2018. However it was Stephen himself, who, in 1987 entered the record books with that famous trio of wins and in turn, cementing his place amongst the greats of world cycling that had the most decorated career.

Before turning professional in the early ‘80s the former apprentice fitter won all the top amateur races both in Ireland and in Europe, including a sprint finish in 1978 on the streets of Mullingar. From his early days in France as an amateur followed by his first professional contract with the Peugeot cycling team in 1981, Roche was earmarked for success and he didn’t disappoint.

Stephen will be joining the members of Lakeside Wheelers on the Golden Anniversary overnight spin on April 18th. He will also be attending the evening dinner during which, he will be speaking about his outstanding career and no doubt, be telling some of the many interesting stories of his time in the pro peloton. Accommodation in the Hodson Bay Hotel is fully booked but there are some places left for members who want to come along for the cycle and fabulous three course dinner that night. For those wishing to stay, there are Bed and Breakfast options close to the hotel, so do not miss this rare opportunity to ride with a true legend of the sport of cycling.

Club Secretary, Eugene Duffy will be issuing emails and texts in the coming days with information on how to sign up for the cycle and dinner package.

50th Anniversary Kit

There was an amazing turn out last week for the two sizing and ordering nights organised to introduce the newly designed 50th anniversary jersey and gilet. With over 100 jerseys and almost 70 gilets ordered, this way exceeded expectations, but it shows that there is great interest and motivation among members to make 2026 a very special year. Thanks to everyone that attended and it is hoped to have the actual gear ready for distribution well in time for the Golden Anniversary spin.

Any member who missed the two nights last week and still wants to get the new kit at the greatly reduced rates, can do so but the deadline is Friday, January 23rd. Please see club texts and emails for information regarding the ordering process.

Aoife O’Brien Wins Gold for Ireland

Club Lifetime member, Aoife O’Brien certainly didn’t wait long to get her 2026 season off to a successful start winning a gold medal in Portugal last weekend. Representing Ireland at the Trofeu Internacional de Pista Artur Lopes, Aoife won gold in the Elimination event and as if that wasn’t enough, she claimed 4th in the Madison race also. Well done Aoife on a fantastic performance and let’s hope she continues this run of form in the early season road races too.

Club Spins

Despite some very cold, icy and foggy weather the club spins are managing to dodge between the inclement days as numbers are good for the early days of January. Group spins are mostly on Saturday and Sunday mornings these days although there are good numbers also turning up for the midweek turbo sessions in the clubhouse.

The committee would like to remind everyone that membership is now due for renewal. Please attend to this ASAP, especially if you are riding the club spins as it is a matter of insurance and protection for your fellow members.