The furrowing of brows and gnawing of fingernails by those within the Irish Cycling Federation has abated with Wednesday's announcement of the Sports Council's grants for this year. Officials and elite competitors alike were dismayed last season when it emerged that funding was to be substantially reduced; however, the sum of £143,243 allocated this week brings the budget closer to pre-1999 levels, and is a source of encouragement for those preparing for Sydney.

Although stressing that the line-up is subject to change during the year, National Team Director Richie Beatty has announced the provisional Olympic squad. As expected, professionals Ciaran Power, Morgan Fox and 1998 world junior champion Mark Scanlon head the list, with Eugene Moriarty and David McCann also pinpointed by Beatty as strong candidates for the two places on offer. The remaining five comprise national champion Tommy Evans, Stamullen rider Bill Moore, and the trio of David O'Loughlin, David McQuaid and Michael McNena, who aim to fine-tune their preparation by racing in Italy this season.

As Beatty stresses, Sydney is a long way off and much can happen in the intervening months. Riders such as Dermot Finnegan and Brian Kenneally will be disappointed by their exclusion and consequently will be highly motivated when the domestic season begins in March.

Finally, forget Tyson vs Francis; a bigger battle is brewing this evening. Stephen Roche and David Walsh may have collaborated on two books during the cyclist's career, but the relationship between rider and writer has moved onto a more acrimonious level of late.

Roche has travelled back from his home in the South of France to answer media reports linking his name to the supposed use of EPO, and will tonight appear in a head-to-head with Walsh on the Late Late Show.