CYCLING: Three Irish professionals will be competing tomorrow in the Het Volk race, a 201-kilometre semi-classic fought out over the climbs and cobbles of Belgium.
Mark Scanlon (Ag2R-Prévoyance) and the Navigators Insurance duo of David O'Loughlin and Ciarán Power will line up alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, including Olympic champion Paolo Bettini, his QuickStep team-mate Tom Boonen, plus George Hincapie and Roger Hammond (both Discovery Channel).
The Navigators Insurance team will compete for much of the late-season in the US, but events such as the 1.HC ranked Het Volk are the mainstay of their crucial spring campaign in Europe.
The event is equally important for Ag2R as a good showing would improve their prospects of getting a wild-card place for ProTour events.
The three Irish riders are still building form and so are likely to play a supporting role in the action. However, should the race end in a bunch sprint, Scanlon and Power both have the finishing speed to land a decent placing.
Pádraig Marrey, who coaches Scanlon and O'Loughlin, says he is confident the riders will have good years.
"Mark had knee trouble last autumn but has got in some very good training since then," he said during the week.
"He is lighter now than he has been at the start of other seasons. I think he will move to a new level this year. His base condition is very good and he has a lot more confidence after completing the Tour de France last summer."
O'Loughlin's return to the professional ranks also leads Marrey to believe good things are in store.
"He is definitely stronger than he has been before. David had a cold recently but once he gets over that and builds a bit of confidence, I feel he will have a good year."
Marrey, Cycling Ireland's head of coaching, also announced this week that Olympian Robin Seymour is to become chief coach for mountain bike riders, while Brian Nugent will fill the same role for track competitors.
The road position has yet to be filled.
These three will liaise with Marrey and the yet-to-be determined provincial appointees to provide a national coaching network.
Finally, the Irish domestic season gets up and running this weekend. The Bray GP will get things going tomorrow with races for seniors, juniors, veterans and women.
On Sunday the same categories can choose between the Lacey Cup in Tralee and Western Lakes' training race in Partry, which is also open to underage riders.
Entry fees from the latter event will be donated to the tsunami disaster fund.
FIXTURES: Saturday: Bray GP, starts 11 am. Sign on at Bray Wheelers' old clubhouse.
More details from Urban Monks at 01 2856382.
Sunday: Lacey Cup, Tralee. Starts noon, call Matt Lacey for further details at 066 7124372.
Connacht training race, Partry. Sign on from 10 am at the community centre. Race also open to underage. For more information contact Noel at 087 7870055.
