IT was decided by the FIC board last Saturday that the business to be conducted at the annual general meeting in Malahide will be completed on just one day - tomorrow week so it will not, as usual, be a two day affair.

Whether this is because of a lack of interest by clubs or contentment with the administration is not clear but, in contrast to the customary" lengthy list of motions, there are only 10 on the agenda this time.

In addition there will be very little time spent on elections. With Paddy O'Callaghan not going forward as publicity officer, there will be just one ballot. Pierce Butler who was co opted to fill the vacancy as chairman of the under age development committee at the beginning of the season, has opposition from Richie Beatty.

At last Saturday's meeting the FIC board considered the applications from Eamonn Lawlor and Peter Purfield for the position as chairman of the mountain bike committee, following the resignation of Victor Edmonds, and Lawlor was preferred. He is a garda sergeant based in Drogheda and is chairman of Drogheda Wheelers.

When Miguel Indurain failed in his attempt to win the Tour de France for the sixth year in a row in July, and then was unable to gain the consolation of a Tour of Spain triumph, it seemed to be the end of the great Spaniard's career. But how fortunes can change, even at his exalted level.

Indurain's monthly pay cheque with Banesto this year was reported to be £166,000 while his estimated earnings for the year were reckoned to be £2.5 million. If he retired without joining another team there was a job for life for him with those sponsors.

His contract runs to the end of December but now he is considering an offer of £450,000 a month from another Spanish team, ONCE, which would put him well over the £5 million mark for the year. Despite the complications' with Laurent Jalabert and Alex Zuelle heading the ONCE squad, who wouldn't consider an offer like that?

Indurain, who was 32 during the Tour de France, on July 16th, is expected to accept and will be in the Tour line up again next year. With so much climbing however the route does not seem to be really suitable for him, but maybe he will be involved again in 1998 when it is hoped the start will be in Dublin - confirmation of that is expected soon.