Power targets Italian return

CYCLING: With the tendonitis which plagued his early season almost gone, professional Ciarán Power will shortly head back to the Continent for the second phase of his team's racing programme.

Currently at home during a short break in the Navigator's team schedule, Power will begin the five-day Settimana Internazionale in Italy next Wednesday and then line out in a number of other races where he hopes to build form, including a possible start in the Gent Wevelgem semi- classic on April 9th.

"My knee is almost completely better," he said yesterday. "I still get the occasional twinge but I think the problem is pretty much clear. Now I need to get back to regular competition and build some fitness - my power and speed is very good, but I find that when I go over distances of 130 or 140 kilometres in races, I start to fade a bit.

"The stage race in Italy next week will be very useful for building stamina, and then after that the team has good races every two or three days. That should really help build my fitness."

Fellow professional Mark Scanlon will ride the Milan-San Remo classic on Sunday. Scanlon's selection on the Ag2r squad for this first round of the World Cup is a major vote of confidence in the young Sligoman.

On the domestic front, the organisers of the Credit Union Rás Mumhan in Killorglin expect a good line-up for the four-day race this Easter. Squads from Britain and Holland have already been confirmed.

The race will begin with a 2.6-mile time trial on Friday, April 18th. Saturday is a tough, 101-mile stage over the climbs of the Ring of Kerry. There will also be a jaunt over the Conor Pass.

Entries to the race secretary Eileen Scully on or before the 26th of March. Telephone 064 44791 or at 087 9906912.

Fixtures - Saturday: Christy McManus Memorial, Roundwood, 11.0 a.m. Tour of Ards, noon. Sunday: Bohermeen Grand Prix, Bohermeen, 2.0 p.m. (Underage Leinster League event starts 11.0 a.m.) Silver Pail GP, Fermoy, 2.0 p.m. Phoenix Handicap road race, Nutts Corner, 1.0 p.m.