While the final phase of the Tour de France moves on over the weekend towards the real battleground in the Alps, the attention of the home scene focuses on Cork where the Callcard Classic League series continues with the Hardings Grand Prix on Sunday. The start has been changed from 2.00 p.m. to noon with the sign-on at the Highfield rugby club ground on Model Farm Road.

There is a two-day race at Newtownards, starting this evening, with two stages tomorrow, while the Ballivor Grand Prix is also on tomorrow. In addition to Cork on Sunday, there are races at Dundalk and Ballyhaunis and, also on Sunday, the mountain bike championships will be decided in the Phoenix Park.

The classic league has not been getting the support it deserves in recent weeks. Tommy Evans still leads, even though he did not travel for the race at Naas last week. Evans has 46 points, but following Brian Kenneally's return to form at Naas he moved into second place on 30. Next in order are Michael McNena on 27, Paddy Moriarty and Kieran MacMahon 26, Paul Griffin 25, Neil Teggart 21 and 20 for Mark Kiernan and Mick O'Donnell.

Kiernan will not be at Cork as he goes with the Leinster team for a two-day race at Blackpool tomorrow and Sunday. The team positions were to go to the first four Leinster men in the championship at Collon last month, but after some of those involved rejected the offer, Sean Bracken named Paddy Moriarty, Kiernan, Stephen O'Sullivan and Karl Donnelly. Moriarty and Donnelly have now withdrawn and are replaced by David Peelo and John-Paul Hilliard. Tom Keenan goes as manager. There was confusion over last Sunday's junior race at Naas being included in their league. It was not listed in the FIC handbook as one of the eight events to count, but apparently it was in the competition and another win for Mark Scanlon extended his lead.

Eugene Moriarty returns to action at Cork after almost two months out with a broken wrist. He crashed on stage five of the FBD Milk Ras in May on the descent from the Healy Pass, but said he plans to return on Sunday as preparation for the race commemorating his grandfather, Gene Moriarty, the following Sunday at Listowel.

That event is part of the popular Kingdom series which opens with the Donal McKenna memorial at Killorglin tomorrow week. Inquiries regarding entries and accommodation to Tadhg Moriarty at Listowel, 068 22162.

The Veterans' Association will hold their 30th anniversary race on Sunday at Clonee (10.0).