CYCLING: With less than two months to go until this year's FBD Milk Rás, a strong standard of professional and international riders look set to line out in the 2.5-ranked race.
Race organiser Dermot Dignam has said he is in the final stages of reaching agreement with foreign teams, which this year will include four professional squads and also what he terms a "new and very interesting", national team.
Missing from the line-up will be the second division Navigators pro team, with whom 2002 winner Ciarán Power normally competes.
Dignam had received an indirect inquiry on behalf of the US squad in recent weeks, but he ultimately decided against their participation on the grounds that it would further increase the difficulty of the event for home riders .
"It was a very attractive proposition, but after a lot of consideration I decided not to cross the threshold from third division to second division professional teams. I think in the long-term interest of the race it is the right decision. I believe the FBD Milk Rás should remain within the reach of county riders, if not to win, certainly to compete," he said.
Team commitments permitting, Power may opt to defend his title by riding in the colours of the Irish national team, with whom he lined out last year. There are still places available for Irish county teams for the race, which runs from May 18th-25th.
Continuing on the stage race theme, the route of the 2003 Tour of Ulster was launched this week after the official opening of Cycling Ulster's new centre of excellence at the Craigavon Watersports centre in Armagh. The race begins at the centre on May 2nd with a 95-mile stage to Downpatrick, in lieu of the traditional prologue. Day two takes the riders 80 miles from Down back to the centre of excellence, while Monday's 76-mile stage returns to Portadown.
Cycling Ireland has been hit by the unexpected resignation of board member Ciarán McKenna. McKenna had started working with CI (then the ICF) in January of 1999 as PRO and also contributed much to the formulation of their strategy document. More recently he was a member of their six-man board.
Fixtures - Saturday: Leinster RR Champs, Stapelstown, Co Kildare (note venue change), 11 a.m. Ulster Spring Classic handicap, Bangor. Starts noon. Sunday: Des Hanlon Memorial, Carlow. Starts 11.30 at Carlow Boat Club. Aghaghallon Cup, Bartins Bay, Lurgan. Racing starts at noon. Inquiries to 048-8323658.
