News of an outbreak of foot and mouth may have rocked the country on Thursday, but after a three week hold on racing the season proper gets underway today. Batterstown is the venue for the first round of the Leinster Cycling Federation league, with double points on offer for any non-first category riders finishing in the top ten. Tomorrow, Carlow and Limerick see all the action as both the Traders and Aghagallon Cups have been postponed.
After a top 20 finish last weekend in the Circuit Du Brabant Wallon event, Irish professional Ciaran Power lines out in the GP Cholet tomorrow. Fellow pro David McCann opts for a break from racing after he pulled out of the final stage of three-day Jadranska magistrala in Croatia six days ago with bronchitis. The Irish national road race champion reports he hasn't felt in full health since a tooth abscess in mid February.
Of the amateur competitors, Aidan Duff seems to be coming into form after his fourth place finish in the Trophee Des Monts Du Luberon last weekend. Tommy Evans was 13th in the same race, and, like the other Team Ireland riders, will be in action over the weekend. Evans, Morgan Fox, Brian Kenneally and Stephen O'Sullivan will then line out on the Irish team in next Sunday's Archer GP in England.
Finally, entries have closed for this year's FBD Milk Ras, with a full compliment of riders registered for the eight-day event. Places are still available for the Dublin Skip-sponsored Gorey three-day set for Easter weekend. The closing date is March 30th - contact Sam D'Arcy for details at (01) 4514130.
