CYCLING: The road-racing season officially draws to a close for Irish international riders on Sunday when the final team of 2002 lines out in the Tour of Okinawa in Japan. Paul Griffin, Eugene Moriarty, Tim Cassidy and Paul Healion are aiming to put up a strong display in the 1.5-ranked race.

Of the four, Griffin has had the most success this year with good rides in a number of overseas contests, including high placings in the Tours of Malaysia and Hokkaido. Moriarty rode well in the second half of the season while acting as co-ordinator for the Team Ireland initiative in Belgium, while Tim Cassidy has had a solid first year as a senior competitor. Paul Healion, a late call-up to the squad, is very capable of performing strongly if he is on form.

The Irish cyclo-cross league returns to Northern Ireland tomorrow when the off-road riders will fight out the fourth race in the series at Solitude Park in Banbridge. Local riders Don Travers and Roger Aiken, on 12 and 16 points respectively, lag behind Robin Seymour in the overall standings.

National champion Seymour was in fine form again last weekend, taking his second straight win despite a puncture during the Kilcullen event. Travers had looked set for second but he too punctured, eventually securing third place only after a bike-carrying run to the finish.

Tomorrow's action takes place on the same course as last year's Banbridge race, although the organisers have said there will be some changes to the 2001 circuit.

Cycling Ireland national cyclo-cross league standings, after 3 races: 1, R Seymour (Team WORC) 87 points; 2, D Travers, (Banbridge CC) 75; 3, R Aiken (Banbridge CC) 71; 4 A McDonald (Apollo CC) 60; 5, M Mulvenna (Ards CC) 44; 6, K Meghen (unattached) 44.

FIXTURES

Saturday: Cycling Ireland cyclo-cross league, round 4. Solitude Park, Banbridge. Underage race starts noon, main event at 1 p.m.