CYCLING: Philip Deignan and Nicolas Roche will this afternoon spearhead what is arguably the strongest Irish team entered into an under-23 world championship road race.

Both riders have been in fine form this season and have secured professional contracts for next year. They will line out in the hilly 177-kilometre race in Verona, Italy, as part of a select group of riders capable of aiming for a medal on the tough, technically demanding course.

Deignan's climbing ability, his consistent stream of results this year and his recent strong showing against professional riders in the Tour of Britain will make him one of the marked riders today.

Scaling a three kilometre ascent on each of the 12 laps will play to his strengths. If he has good legs and a little luck, he should be right up there at the climax of the race.

Roche has also been in fine form of late, finishing an excellent 10th in the Grand Prix d'Isbergues during his recent pro trial with the Cofidis team. He may be less of a specialist climber than Deignan but was in a positive frame of mind yesterday.

'I think it is a nice enough course, it is very suitable for me,' he said. "There is a long way to go after the top of the hill, with a tricky descent and then a long way in to the finish. I think the course should suit me because if I have the legs to get over the top, I will also be the type of rider who can do a short break on the last flat section. If I am still there at that stage I will certainly give it a go.'

Team manager Frank Campbell was similarly optimistic. "It is a hard circuit, but it is the sort of circuit that we were expecting. The boys seem very keen on it . . . I think we have got a very strong team and I have to say I think we are chasing a medal. That is the sort of expectation we are going into the event with.

"At this stage Deignan and Roche will be the protected riders and the rest of the team are aware of that. Tim Cassidy is also going well. Paidi O'Brien and Andrew McQuaid know that they are here to work for the others and we are happy that they can do the sort of work for the 110, 115 kilometres that we feel will be required."

Campbell is expecting an aggressive start to the race, after which the pace will settle down until the main battle in the closing stages. He tips the Italian and Slovenian teams as being very strong, and will also be watching the Dutch team of this season's dominant under-23 rider, Thomas Dekker.

Given the class of the opposition, a medal is by no means assured for one of the Irish riders, but to be heading into the race with such high expectation shows how far things have progressed in recent years. Whether or not things play out in their favour today in this highly competitive event, the future is certainly looking brighter.

The Grant Thornton Team Ireland squad will have one other competitor in action today. Mary Brennan lines out in the junior race and while she has little experience at this level, her participation is aimed to boost the standard of women's racing in Ireland.

SCHEDULE: 9.30: Junior women's road race - 5 laps, 73.75 kilometres 12.30: Under-23 road race - 12 laps, 177 kilometres.