WHEN the national cycling team director, Alasdair MacLennan, accepted an invitation for an Irish team of six to take part in the Tour of Malaysia it seemed an ideal opportunity for good early season competition in warm weather, particularly for the Olympic hopefuls. It is doubtful, however, that any of the five shortlisted for Atlanta; will be going to Kuala Lumpur and MacLennan is having great difficulty in getting a squad of sufficient quality together for the trip.
It is a new event on the international scene, from February 29th to March 10th, and the contenders will not be involved as the big trade, teams will be concentrating on, sending their top men to Paris Nice and Tirreno Adriatico.
Martin Earley was keen on availing of the 11 days of racing in Malaysia but he is employed by Raleigh in Britain as a member of their mountain bike squad and they advised him against risking injury on such an assignment so he had to decline the offer of a place in the team.
Earley, who lives in Stoke, has a programme of mountain bike events starting in April.
MacLennan has spoken to the others in contention for mountain bike places in Atlanta, Alastair Martin and Robin Seymour, but they have taken part in very few road races in recent years and could not be regarded as serious candidates for such an event.
Philip Collins, who has qualified for the Olympic 4,000 metres pursuit on the track, is in England for special training and tests and MacLennan is to discuss the Malaysian tour with him and also with Declan Lonergan, who will be Ireland's representative in the points race on the track in Atlanta.
Lonergan returned to America after spending Christmas at home in Waterford but, as the main sponsor of the team he was with last year withdrew support, he had to try and get a suitably rewarding place with another squad. So far his efforts have been unsuccessful and, like Collins, he is considering the Malaysian trip.
With Micheiil Fitzgerald, Aidan Duff and Eamon Byrne among those going to French clubs MacLennan has a very limited group available for selection.
Before the season begins on the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd two coaching courses have been arranged for Carlow. The first one on February 17th and 18th is open to the under 23 category and seniors with the following weekend confined to juniors.
MacLennan expects all those aspiring to international selection in the coming months to attend.
