CATHERINA McKIERNAN will have one of her more important tests prior to the Chicago Marathon next month when she competes over a half-marathon race in Amsterdam tomorrow afternoon.
After suffering a minor calf muscle injury last month, McKiernan is now back to full training but this test is likely to be a good indication of how much work needs to be done before the longer race on October 24th. The quality field includes the current marathon world record holder Tegla Laroupe of Kenya, who also took the bronze medal over 10,000 metres at the World Championships in Seville last month.
The race starts in the city centre and is run over a fast flat course to the town of Zandam in the suburbs of Amsterdam. [SBX] CYCLING: The Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) has turned down the appeal of Irish cyclist Teresa Quinlan against a three-month ban following a positive test at the European Veterans Cycling Championships in Italy last October.
Quinlan tested for illegal levels of caffeine after winning the veterans (over-50) race but she appealed the decision on the basis of doubts surrounding the testing procedure. The Irish Cycling Federation (ICF) imposed the three-month ban last May and CAS upheld that decision. The award was pronounced without costs, except for the court fee of 500 Swiss Francs. [SBX] CYCLING: Sergey Yakovlev regained the race lead after yesterday's third stage of the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan, writes Jim McArdle. Sergey slipped the main field towards the end of the 178k stage. Korean, Boo My Park, took the honours; but Sergey finished on the same time with the main bunch, 18 seconds adrift. Ireland's Ciaran Power slipped to equal seventh on the overall standings, but remains confident of doing well. Yesterday saw the field further reduced when nine failed to complete the course.
TOUR OF HOKKAIDO: Stage 3 (Abaahiri to Nakashlbetsau 170k) - 1, B Min Park (Ravenello) 4.23.52; 2, M IIjima (Nipon Hodo) same time; 3, S Yakovlev (Nipon Hodo) same time. International Cargo Services Ireland placings: 8th, E Moriarty at 18 secs; 31st, M McMena same time; 37th, P Moriarty same time; 40th, B Moore same time; 41st, C Power same time.
OVERALL: 1, Yakolev; 8.41.38; 2, Park at 1 sec.; 3, IIjima at 3 secs. Irish placings: 7th, Power at 29 secs; 31st, P Moriarty at 47 secs; 35th, Moore at 51 secs; 41st, E Moriarty at 56 secs; 48th, McMena same time.
