Richie Beatty has been appointed by the Federation of Irish Cyclists to fill the vacancy as national team director on a part-time basis until the end of the season and his first task yesterday was to select the team of five to represent Ireland in the FBD Milk Ras next month, from May 16th to 24th.

Beatty, of the Les Jeunes club in Dublin, is president of the Leinster Federation.

After checking who was available Beatty named Ciaran Power (Comeragh), Brian Kenneally (Cidona), Conor Henry (Belfast Laser), Tommy Evans (Banbridge) and Karl Donnelly (Irish Road Club) for the Ras.

Beatty also confirmed yesterday that David McCann and Michael Fitzgerald will be back to race on the home scene after a disagreement with management in their Pontivy team in France.