Cycling/Round-up: Mark Scanlon will spearhead a busy weekend for Irish riders when he takes part in the Tour of Flanders this Sunday. The Ag2R Provoyance professional will line out alongside stars such as Lance Armstrong, Paolo Bettini and Tom Boonen in the ProTour event over the cobbles and bergs (steep hills) of Belgium.
The Tour of Flanders is one of the most prestigious spring events and will consequently be a ferocious battle between the sport's best Classic riders. The race is one of the few big titles to elude Seán Kelly, who finished second there three times.
Navigators Insurance professionals David O'Loughlin and Ciaráin Power have a busy few days ahead, with rides in the Route Adolie today, the GP de Rennes on Sunday and the ProTour Gent-Wevelgem next Wednesday. Power continues to be hampered by a thigh injury. He will travel for treatment in Germany after the Wevelgem event.
Fellow pros David McCann and Paul Griffin will lead the Irish charge in the Archer Grand Prix in England on Sunday, with three Irish teams taking part. Evergreen veteran Philip Cassidy will lead the Cycleways.com squad, Rás Mumhan stage winner Eddie O'Donoghue the Murphy and Gunn team while McCann and Griffin front a six-man Giant Asia/Ireland composite.
Meanwhile, the organiser of this year's FBD Insurance Rás has announced that the biggest field of riders will take part in the 2.2-ranked event. A UCI maximum of 200 will line out at the race start on Sunday, May 22nd, comprising professional teams, national teams, Continental regional teams plus a strong contingent of county squads.
Finally, entries have opened for this year's Shay Elliott Memorial race, which takes place on April 24th. The fee for forms returned before April 15th is €15. Contact race organiser Urban Monks at (01) 2856382.
SATURDAY: Tour of Ards, Newtownards, noon. Harry Reynolds Memorial, Balbriggan, 4pm.
SUNDAY: Ben McKenna Memorial, Balbriggan, 11am. Aghagallon Cup, Bartins Bay, Lough Neagh, first races at noon. Silver Pail GP, Fermoy, 2pm. MBUL Search for the Holy Trail, Crag Wood, Killaloe, Co Clare, noon.
