CYCLING / Column: D-day is fast approaching for the Ag2r Prevoyance team of Irish riders Mark Scanlon and Philip Deignan, with an important decision regarding the French squad due to be made on Monday.
After being passed over by the UCI earlier this year, the team has applied to be part of the important ProTour series in 2006, joining 19 others in the top ranking of world cycling. Ag2r was a step below this level in 2005, their first-division status meaning they had to rely on wild-card invitations to get into races such as the Tour de France.
As a result, the team missed out on many big events and found it difficult to maintain the same level of performance as other teams.
In order to satisfy the UCI's licensing commission that they can meet the necessary standard this time round, Ag2r went on a spending spree this summer. The signing of riders such as Francisco Mancebo and Christophe Moreau, fourth and 11th respectively in this year's Tour de France, should help show that they are worthy of a ProTour place, and so, too, the likelihood that young riders such as Deignan and Scanlon will shine in future years.
"The way it looks, it seems pretty likely that the team will get the nod," said Deignan yesterday, speaking from his French base. "I don't want to get my hopes up by presuming that we have it, but it is looking good all right."
Ag2r are the only team in the running for the 20th ProTour slot, after two other contenders fell by the wayside. Although they must still satisfy the licensing commission that their candidature is a worthy one, it would be a big surprise if they were to be overlooked this time round.
Tomorrow Connacht Youth Cycling will hold grass-track racing at the Kilmaine Road cycling centre in Ballinrobe.
On Sunday Team Worc will host the first running of the Tymon Cyclo Cross Classic, in Tymon Park in Tallaght. Racing starts at 1pm, with the use of mountain bikes also permitted.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Connacht Youth Cycling track races, Kilmaine Road cycling centre, Ballinrobe, 2pm. Sunday: Tymon Cyclo Cross Classic, Tymon Park, Tallaght, 1pm.
