Ireland's Mark Scanlon is set to compete in this summer's Tour de France after his French team, AG2R-Prevoyance, today received one of four wildcard entries to the race.
The 22-year-old Sligoman - the 1998 World Junior champion - will become the first Irishman to line up for cycling's blue riband event since Stephen Roche's swansong in 1993.
Scanlon, riding in his first year as a professional, signed a two year contract for the French team last October.
World champion Mario Cipollini, however, will not feature after his Domina Vacanze team failed to win a wild card invitation.
The four wildcard spots in the 22-team line-up were handed to French teams Brioches La Boulangere, AG2R-Prevoyance and Jean Delatour and Basque outfit Euskaltel.
Marco Pantani's Mercatone Uno team were not retained due to their low ranking.
Lance Armstrong, the US Postal team leader, is bidding for a record-equalling fifth consecutive victory in the race.
The Tour starts with an 8km prologue in Paris on July 5th and finishes with a return to the French capital on July 27th.
Additional reporting AFP