Relief as Tour of Ireland gets the go-ahead

CYCLING:THIS WEEK'S announcement that the Tour of Ireland will go ahead has led to a sigh of relief within Irish cycling, quashing speculation that the race might not be held in 2009.

A long delay in releasing details had led to questions within the sport, but the organisers said on Wednesday it would proceed, albeit in a different form.

The race was a five-day event in 2007 and 2008 but this year it will take place over three days, with the first stage a 196 kilometre race from Enniskerry/Powerscourt to Waterford, crossing Mount Leinster along the way.

Details of the remaining two days will be released shortly, although a rumoured time trial is now almost certain to be jettisoned.

Lance Armstrong and his Astana team, plus a Columbia HTC squad featuring Tour de France sprint star Mark Cavendish, are the first to be confirmed; the Irish An Post M Donnelly Grant Thornton Seán Kelly team will also take part.

Speaking to The Irish Times, the race organisers said more big teams will be announced soon. “Any teams who have been given an official invitation have not declined it,” said a spokesman. “We are satisfied this year’s line-up will be even better than before.”

He said the reduction in length was not expected to lead to any teams deciding not to participate.

Within cycling, there have already been questions as to whether Armstrong’s participation has led to a tighter financial situation for the race. The Texan was paid large appearance fees when he competed in the Tour Down Under and the Giro d’Italia. The Irish Times has been told this is not the case, and that his entry has “not put any additional strain on the budget”. The organisers pointed to the difficult economic climate as a big factor in what they said would be a temporary reduction in length to three days.

The success of last year’s final stage – where Marco Pinotti (Columbia) broke clear and snatched final victory from Russell Downing (Pinarello Candi TV) – plus the direction taken by stage one would hint Cork could again be the finish of the race. The large crowds and superb atmosphere generated by St Patrick’s Hill would make for a fitting finale for the 2009 Tour, but confirmation of the rest of the route is being delayed for now.

Tomorrow will see the Sneem Hotel International Track Meet take place in Sundrive Road, marking the launch of the redeveloped Dublin velodrome. The track has been resurfaced and other improvements have been made.

Finally, Irish and international under-18 riders are making final preparations for the M Donnelly Junior Tour of Ireland, which begins on Tuesday. This year’s race will begin with a four kilometre hillclimb time trial at Windy Gap, near Castlebar. It will be followed by road-race stages finishing in Westport, Castlebar, Ballina, Windy Gap and Castlebar again, and totals just over 500 kilometres in length.

FIXTURES: Saturday: Sneem Hotel International track GP, Sundrive Road. Starts 12.20. Saturday-Sunday: Youth road championships, Arklow. Time trial on Saturday, 10am, followed at 3.30pm by Criterium. Sunday road race 10am. Sunday: Mark Hayden Memorial race, Carlow (incorporating round seven of women’s national league). XC NPS round eight, Djouce Woods. IVCA 50-mile TT championships, Enfield. Starts 9.15am. Rás Chonamara, Oughterard, 10am.