Cycling News round-up: Details of the first of six professional teams to finalise their line-up for the FBD Insurance Rás next month have been released, with the riders on the Czech Republic team Elmarco KK Cube Dukla Liberec named yesterday.
The squad's most experienced rider is 29-year-old Rostislav Krotky, overall winner of the Czech Cup 2005. However, he is likely to act in a supporting role for talented climber Jiri Korbel, who is gunning for the under-23 prize. Three strong young riders complete the team, namely Jan Novak, Ondrej Pavelka and Michal Stasny. This year's race will feature a huge number of overseas entrants. In addition to the six professional squads, there will be teams from France and Germany, six American and three British squads, national selections from Wales and Scotland plus 17 Irish county teams. The combined total will result in the biggest-ever field of 200 riders lining out for the race start at the GPO on May 22nd.
Meanwhile, Philip Deignan continues his return to racing when he lines out in the Liège-Bastogne-Liège classic this Sunday. The Donegal climber completed the tough Fleche Wallone race on Wednesday and now tackles his second ProTour event in four days, building form for later in the season.
Elsewhere in Europe, Martin Munroe, Maurice O'Brien, Marcus Tracey, Shaun Rock and Andrew McCullough will compete in the prestigious Paco International Junior two-day near Marseilles this weekend. One in-form absentee is Ciarán Kelly, winner of two races in Belgium this year. Kelly moved from there to Switzerland this week to take up a scholarship in the UCI's World Cycling Centre, where he will receive top-level guidance for both road and track cycling.
At home, the county's top domestic riders will square off against overseas visitors from the UK and the Netherlands in Sunday's Shay Elliott Memorial. The race takes the riders on a tough 160-kilometre route through Wicklow, a course which includes the climbs of the Old Wicklow Gap and Drumgoff.
In addition to a host of Irish teams, the Planet X and the Recycling.co.uk squads travel from England. Former Tour of Spain points jersey winner Malcolm Elliott also comes over from the UK and will be riding for the Murphy and Gunn team.
FIXTURES
Saturday: John Beggs Memorial Race, Dromore. Starts noon. Contact Ivor Park, 028 (048 from South) 92692789 for more details.
Sunday: Shay Elliot Memorial, Bray. Starts 10.30, contact Urban Monks at 01 2856382 for more details. Waller Cup (including Women's Classic League round 3), Bohermeen, Co Meath. Underage races at 11 am, other events at 1 pm. Contact Marie Reilly for more details at 087 9458499. XC NPS (also Leinster XC League), Ballinastoe Wood, Co Wicklow. Starts noon. Contact Paul Murray at 087 7930642. 300Km Audax Cycle, starts 6am Phibsborough, Dublin. Contact Paul O'Donoghue at 01-2810546.
