CYCLING: FOLLOWING his excellent performance in the Tour de France, Nicolas Roche will be in action again in the San Sebastian Classic tomorrow.
The Ag2r La Mondiale rider underlined his ability in France with several top-10 placings, including second and fourth on stages, 23rd overall, plus fifth in both the green jersey ranking and the best young rider classification.
Roche has ridden a criterium since then and will hope that form rather than fatigue will be in evidence in the hilly ProTour race.
He will be joined there by his first cousin Daniel Martin, who is making a return to competition after being forced to miss the Tour due to tendonitis.
The talented second year professional is building up to what he hopes will be a successful campaign in the Tour of Spain, and will be motivated by Roche’s strong showing in the Tour de France.
Both riders seem likely to miss the Tour of Ireland, which will be held from August 21st to 23rd.
However, fellow professional Philip Deignan is expected to take part with his Cervélo Test Team, joining top-ranked outfits such as Columbia HTC, Astana and Saxo Bank.
Tour stars Mark Cavendish and Lance Armstrong have been confirmed for the race, while the popular German Saxo Bank rider Jens Voigt has said he would like to ride the Irish event as part of his comeback from a bad crash in France.
A charity event entitled Ride4Life will tie in with the Tour of Ireland programme, being held on Saturday August 22nd in Killarney.
It will take place in advance of the arrival of the second stage, using some of the same roads, and is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Stephen Roche, the 1987 Tour de France winner, will lead the ride, with participants having the choice between 85km and 44km routes.
More details can be found on www.ride4life.ie
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Mountnugent GP. Call Noel Clarke for details on 087 2727801; Madigan GP, Kilroot. Starts 11am.
Saturday to Monday: Suir Valley 3-Day, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Stage 1 starts 12.45; Mayo Youth Tour, Claremorris. Stage 1 starts 2.30.
Sunday: IVCA age standard CP championships, Batterstown. Starts 9.15am.
