Cycling Column:The first of several strong overseas teams for this year's FBD Insurance Rás has been named by race organiser Dermot Dignam.
Two years after Rostislav Krotky finished sixth, 10th, 11th and 11th again on stages en route to a solid 14th place overall, the 30-year-old rider is expected to return as part of the Czech Republic-AC Sparta Praha team.
He and the rest of the riders will be chasing stage wins plus a high overall finish in the prestigious 2.2-ranked event, which begins in Naas on Sunday, May 20th.
"This is one of the top pro teams in the Czech Republic and we are expecting great things from them," said Dignam this week.
"They will be coming with their sights set on being the first team from that country to win the FBD Insurance Rás."
The full line-up of the team will be announced closer to the event, as will details of the other overseas squads to take part.
Dignam is looking forward to a high standard this year.
"I would expect most of the teams coming to this year's race will either be UCI Continental teams or national squads, There is great strength in depth in these teams and the Irish riders will be up against it," he said.
This year's race will be over almost 1,200 kilometres in length with and will feature stage finishes in Templemore, Loughrea, Sligo, Dungloe, Buncrana, Derry, Newcastle and Skerries.
The 2006 event was the closest ever, with British rider Kristian House (Recycling.co.uk) finishing on precisely the same time as former world under-23 time trial-champion Danny Pate (TIAA-CREF) but winning out due to better stage placings.
Meanwhile, Navigators Insurance professional David O'Loughlin will arrive in Majorca tomorrow, less than a week before the start of the world track championships.
He recently spent three days in the Newport velodrome in Wales honing his form prior to the pursuit and points races.
O'Loughlin will be the first Irish participant at this level since 1996, when Phil Collins and Declan Lonergan competed in the Olympics and world championships.
O'Loughlin set a new Irish record on his debut last September and will hope to deliver on his full potential at the worlds.
Finally, there is a good programme of races around the country this weekend, including the Christy McManus and Wallace Caldwell Memorials tomorrow.
On Sunday, the second round of the K-Capital Cup series will take place in Rostrevor, where several overseas riders are expected to attend in order to chase the world ranking points on offer.
Meanwhile, the Waller Cup in Bohermeen incorporates the first round of the 2007 Zoo Hair Salon/Velotex Women's National League.
FIXTURES: Saturday: Christy McManus Memorial, Roundwood. Starts 11am. Wallace Caldwell Memorial (Slane Cycles Ulster Classic League round one), Galgorm. Starts at 11am. Sunday: K-Capital Cup round two, Rostrevor. Starts noon. Waller Cup, Bohermeen (incorporating round one of the Women's National League). Underage races at 11am, other events at 1pm. Ken O'Keeffe Memorial, Whitechurch, Co Cork. Starts 1pm. Harry's Cycle Options Connacht RR Series, round six. Starts Fr Sammon community centre, Monivea, Co Galway at noon. PJ Logan Cup, Tartlaghan Road. Starts 1.30pm.
