CYCLING: Following an operation earlier this spring to correct a long-running blood flow problem, Navigators Insurance professional Ciarán Power will return to racing this weekend in the Tour of Ulster.
The 29-year-old hasn't raced internationally since last September due to a leg muscle problem caused by a narrowing of his iliac artery. However, following tests which pinpointed the problem, the Waterford rider underwent an operation in February and said yesterday that it seems to have worked out very well.
"I'm feeling great at the moment, I can't remember the last time I felt this good," he said. "I have been building my training up gradually and seem to be responding very well. I'm looking forward to getting back to racing this weekend."
Due to his lack of competition, Power is planning to use the Tour of Ulster as training. "I'm going to ride around without putting too much pressure on myself," he said.
Should things continue to go to plan, Power is aiming to return to racing with the US-based Navigators team at the beginning of June, and will aim to ride strongly in their programme of European racing later this year.
Apart from being a highly-regarded race for its own part, the Tour of Ulster is also seen as a good pointer to form in advance of next month's FBD Insurance Rás. The three-day event begins tomorrow with a stage from Newry to Omagh.
Amongst those likely to challenge are Shay Elliott Memorial winner Andrew Roche, third-place finisher Conor Murphy and Rás Mumhan victor Paul Healion. All three ride for the Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group team, which will pose a very strong challenge.
The list of others in the running includes former double champion Tommy Evans (Terry Dolan), Neill Delahaye (Usher IRC) and Fraser Duncan (East Antrim Audi). P&O Irish Sea Tour of North winner Ryan Connor may also take part; if so, he will also play a major role.
Also on this weekend is the Corkman Three Day in Kanturk. It is open to all senior and junior riders bar first category competitors, and begins tomorrow. There is also a race for underage contestants.
In other news, VC La Pomme rider Daniel Martin showed strong form last weekend when he took two stage wins and the mountains jersey in the Souvenir Louis Batinich in France. Martin previously raced for Great Britain but took out an Irish licence this year. His mother Maria is the sister of former top Irish professional Stephen Roche.
FIXTURES: Saturday - Monday: Tour of Ulster. Stage one starts Newry Town Football Club at 11.45 am. Corkman 3-Day, Kanturk. Stage one for underage riders starts at 1 pm, senior/junior event at 3 pm. Saturday: Mayo Club/County Cycle challenge. Spins start from Ballina bus station and The Mall, Castlebar at 9.30 am. Sunday: Waller Cup, Bohermeen. Starts at 1 pm. Downhill NPS round 2, Ballycarton. Starts noon. Slieve Bloom Challenge, starts 9 am. Contact Ray McKenna for details at 086 8415160. Tour of the Glens, starts 8 am. Contact Jim Finlay for details at 0044 7762093197.
