CYCLING: Launching this year's line-up at a slick, well-organised presentation this week, the Cycleways Lee Strand team have targeted big goals for 2002. The Tour of Ulster, the FBD Milk Rás, the National Road Race championships and this weekend's Rás Mumhan have all been identified as key aims for the Dublin-based team, which is one of the most successful in the country.
Double Olympian Phil Cassidy is once again the cornerstone of the team and although he turned 40 last October, the Meath man is riding as strongly as ever. Eugene Moriarty, Aidan Crowely, Adrian Hedderman, Phil Finegan and Shane Connaughton retain their places from last season, while 1998 national champion Ray Clarke and young talent Tim Cassidy - who was 15th in the world junior championships last Autumn - are new additions.
The team has received the boost of support from Lee Strand, a co-operative creamery which previously backed Phil Cassidy and the other members of the Irish national squad in the 1995 FBD Milk Rás.
First up for the team is this weekend's Rás Mumhan four-day, which begins today in Killorglin. Moriarty was a strong winner last year and is fired up to do well again, with Cassidy also capable of challenging for overall honours.
Teams from the UK, the Isle of Man and Brittany will take part, among them FBD Milk Rás regulars Mark Lovatt, John Tanner and Kevin Dawson.
The weekend's other stage race has attracted big names too, with former world number one Seán Kelly and ex-professional Laurence Roche both having decided to pin on race numbers once more for the Gorey three-day. Neil Martin (On the Edge Racing Team) leads the charge of those in attendance from the UK.
Tarja Owens returned to off-road racing in Italy last weekend, beating 180 other female riders to win the GP de Monte Murlo mountainbike event. In the US, both David O'Loughlin and Lorraine Manning were forced out of the Sea Otter Classic races due to crashes.
FIXTURES: Friday 29th-Monday April 1st: Rás Mumhan, Killorglin. Stage 1 starts today at 4 p.m. Sat 30th-Monday April 1st: Gorey three-day race. Stage 1 starts in Brittas at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Sunday 31st: MTB Orienteering event, Ballinastoe, Wicklow. Starts 12 p.m.
