Scanlon's aim is to secure Tour de France place

CYCLING: Mark Scanlon will begin tomorrow's four-day Route du Sud in Castres aware that a strong performance should secure his place on the Ag2R Prevoyance team for the Tour de France.

Scanlon has spent the past few weeks preparing for this weekend's race and the possible ride in the Tour, undertaking long training spins in the Alps.

His goal will be prove to the Ag2R management he is ready for the Tour, a goal made easier by his two race wins in Estonia last month. Should Scanlon get the nod, he will become the first Irish participant in the Tour de France since Stephen Roche in 1993. The Route du Sud begins tomorrow with a stage from Castres in France to Vielha in Spain.

A good showing in the 2.3 race would also give the 23-year-old the opportunity to move inside the world's top 100 riders. In the latest rankings Scanlon is 118th with 403 points, 75 away from the total of the 100th-placed rider. A reflection of his promise is seen in the fact, of those under 25, he is 10th best.

Back home, discussions between Cycling Ulster, Cycling Ireland and the NICF have led to the unprecedented news that tomorrow's Ulster championships will be open to riders of all affiliation, providing they normally reside in Northern Ireland.

This weekend also marks the running of the Cycling Ireland track championships in Sundrive Park. A range of events will be held at the Dublin velodrome, with sign-on at 9.30 a.m tomorrow.

Finally, Cycling Ireland's women's commission is hoping for a strong turnout for the Danny Boy two-day international on July 3rd-4th. In addition to a national team, a Leinster team and an Orwell-Dundrum SC squad will also be entered. For more information on the Wednesday night Boot Inn league races and taking up women's racing, contact Dolores Usher at 086 2302573.

FIXTURES: Saturday: Cycling Ulster open road race championships, Hamiltonsbawn, Armagh. Youth sign on begins at 9 a.m., main event from noon. Cycling Munster road race championships, Killorglin. Starts 2 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday: Cycling Ireland track championships, Sundrive Road, Kimmage. Sign on 9.30 a.m. Saturday.

Sunday: John Drum Memorial, Currow, Co Kerry. Underage races start noon, other events at 2 p.m. Paddy Flanaghan Memorial, Kildare, Starts 2 p.m. Tour of the Sperrins, Cookstown. Starts 1 p.m. Underage races at 10 a.m.

Tuesday: Altitude Comerage CC handicap league, Waterford. Starts 7.30 p.m. John McCormack Memorial, Phoenix Park. Starts 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Stephen Roche GP, Dundrum. Starts 7.30 p.m. Echo Cup criterium, Cork. Starts 7 p.m.