The hamper race at Carrick-on-Suir is the big attraction on Sunday (1 p.m.) and Bray Wheelers also have their annual novelty two-up time trial (11 a.m.) with the proceeds going to the Bray Cancer Support and Advice Centre.

Both promotions have been held since 1970 and they are expected to have good entries although there is no leisure spin at Carrick-on-Suir this time. It reverts to just a straightforward handicap race over five laps of five miles and then 10 times around the half-mile circuit through Sean Kelly Square.

Dan Grant, back as race director, said the limit markers will have an advantage of 12 minutes, the equivalent of almost a lap, on the scratchmen.

Sean Kelly, now 43, who had the first of eight wins in the race in 1971, will be in the line-up again, hoping for a good allowance with Ciaran Power leading those off scratch. Although the preliminary details have been sorted out, Power has still not signed any contract with the French-based British team, Linda McCartney but is expected to do so in the next few days. Before departing for January training in Australia and then competing in the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia and the Rapport Tour in South Africa, Power will be out to put his name on the roll of hamper race winners - he was second to Karl Donnelly two years ago.

Last year Mark Scanlon was out on his own at Carrick in his new world junior champion's jersey. He begins training in Spain in January before joining the top French team, Etupes, on February 1st but he does not intend going for a repeat on Sunday.

Although there were times when few turned up, Bray Wheelers have also kept their event going without a break. Before each team of two set out they submit a time they expect to do for the 10 miles to Glen of the Downs and back and the nearest have the pick of the prizes.

There is a change in another long-standing event, the Eagle Club's St Stephen's Day promotion. On Sunday week it is switched from a cyclo-cross in the Phoenix Park to a two-up time trial over one lap of the 12 miles Drumree circuit at Batterstown (11 a.m.).