Daniel Martin showing form

CYCLING NEWS:WHILE NICOLAS Roche is battling towards the Parisian conclusion of his third Tour de France, first cousin Daniel Martin is back racing after a post-national championships break.

The 24-year-old Garmin-Cervélo rider was passed over for Tour selection despite being in strong form and, with his batteries now recharged, he is aiming for a strong second half to his season.

Martin is competing in the Brixia Tour, and showed good form yesterday.

He finished 10th on the stage to Brescia, being part of a 30-man lead group. Whilst he missed out on the winning move on Wednesday’s opening stage, he has moved up over 30 places to 25th overall.

His prime goal in the race is not, however, to aim for the general classification, but rather to prepare for his defence of the Tour of Poland title.

He won the World Tour race last year and will be determined to show strongly there again. It begins on July 31st in Pruszkow and concludes seven days later in Krakow.

Martin’s big target in the weeks ahead is the Vuelta a España. The Spanish tour could suit his climbing abilities very well and, being older, he should be more consistent over the three weeks than in the past.

In other news, preparations are continuing for the Rás na mBan, which will be backed this year by An Post and increases from three to five days.

The sponsorship will enable the race to expand and grow, and it will feature good international teams from the Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

One of the Irish riders who will face that overseas contingent is Louise Moriarty, the winner in 2004 and 2008.

She finished second in the recent national road race championships and intends targeting a strong ride in this year’s contest.

“The route looks really challenging with the extra two days. I’d really love to put my stamp on the event as it moves to five days,” she said. “I missed last year’s event but there was a great battle between the Ireland squad and the top UK and Dutch teams.”

The race will begin on September 14th in Sneem, Co Kerry, with the opening stage taking in the climb of Moll’s Gap.

Other tough ascents which will feature over the five days include the Healy Pass and Coomaciste. The contest also includes a two-kilometre individual time trial.

FIXTURES: Friday: Sunday: Portaferry Three Day. Saturday: Westport Criterium, starts 6pm; 10 mile TT, Kilpeddar, Co Wicklow, starts 11am (incorporates women's national league); Tommy Brady Memorial, Robinstown, first races at 6pm.

Sunday: Westport Grand Prix, starts 10am; IVCA Moyvalley 25 mile time trial, starts 9.15am.