CYCLING: With the start of the World Championships now less than three weeks away, thoughts have turned to the selection and final preparation of the riders concerned.
Of course, Mark Scanlon's participation is assured, given the excellent form he has exhibited during his professional trial with the AG2r team, and the increasingly confident Sligoman will go into the under-23 time trial and road race with a genuine chance of a medal.
Dermot Nally, who begins his own professional trial this weekend with the Colombia-Selle Italia team, and Denis Lynch have also been confirmed for the Ireland squad.
That leaves two places yet to be decided; the in-form, first-year senior Philip Deignan and those currently competing in the prestigious GP Tell in Switzerland are in the running for these remaining slots.
Also to be announced next week is the composition of the junior squad.
Again, there are some certainties: Donnelly Junior Tour winner Nicolas Roche and national champion Páidí O'Brien are assured of their places.
But the remaining riders must wait a few days more to find out who will be heading to Zolder, in Belgium.
That leaves the riders for the elite races. Ciarán Power's world ranking has earned Ireland a slot in the men's event, but with Power indicating that he will be unable to take part (his first child is due at the same time), Cycling Ireland must select a replacement. This place will go to either Paul Griffin or the US-based professional David O'Loughlin, both of whom rode well in last week's Tour of Hokkaido.
As for the women's events, national champion Geraldine Gill will line out in both the road race and time trial events in Belgium. It had been thought that another woman might be selected to compete alongside Gill, but according to Ciarán McKenna of Cycling Ireland, that is now unlikely. A final decision will be made on this next week.
In domestic news, entries are now due for the TQ Papers Women's two-day event, which takes place this year on the 5th and 6th of October. More information is available from Susan O'Mara, who can be contacted at 087 2360121.
Also, places are available on the ARC Cancer Support Centre's fundraising cycles to Cuba and Majorca. All trips take place in 2003, but early booking is advised as places are limited.
For more details, go to www.arcchallenges.com, or contact ARC's Grainne Barnett at 01-2881401 or 087 2055566.
FIXTURES
Sunday: IVCA/Obelisk Wheelers Sonny Cullen Memorial CP, Batterstown. Starts 10 am.
Connaught 25 mile TT, Collooney, Co. Sligo. Starts noon.
GRAND PRIX TELL (in Switzerland) - First stage: 1, Fabio Borghesi (Italian National Team) 73 kilometres in 1 hour 46 mins 7 secs; 2, D. Loosli (Swiss National Team); 3, F. Kessiakoff (Swedish National Team); 4, G. Larsson (Swedish National Team) all same time; 5, M. Albasini (VC Mendrisio Mapei) at 20 secs Irish: 19, D. Lynch, at 31 secs; 54, T. Cassidy, at 2 mins 22 secs; 58, G . McQuaid; 84, S. Gallagher, both same time; 105, C. Murphy, at 6 mins 57 secs.
General classification: 1, Borghesi, 1 hour 45 mins 57 secs; 2, Loosli, at 4 secs; 3, Kessiakoff, at 6 secs; 4, Larsson, at 10 secs; 5, Albasini, at 30 secs Irish: 19, Lynch, at 41 secs; 54, Cassidy, at 2 mins 32 secs; 58, McQuaid; 84, Gallagher, both same time; 105, Murphy, at 7 mins 7 secs.
