ANDY ROCHE from the Isle of Man is a surprise inclusion in the Irish team for the Tour de Loire et Cher in central France next week, from April 16th to 20th.

Roche, whose father is from Co Mayo, has been a regular visitor to events here and although he has been racing in Belgium for the last two seasons, he took out Irish citizenship this year.

The other five members chosen - Aidan Duff, Philip Collins, Padraig Quinn, Eugene Moriarty and Leslie McKay - are all racing with clubs in France. Frankie Campbell goes as manager with John Keegan the mechanic and John Hammond is masseur.