Huge test for Irish team

WITH representatives from 29 countries entered and a line up of close on 200 expected the six-man Irish team faces a huge task in the European under-23 road race championship over 10 laps of a 10-mile circuit in the Isle of Man today.

Michael Fitzgerald, Aidan Duff, Ciaran Power, Michael and Shane Baker trained over the course yesterday - Mark Hutton did not arrive until the evening.

There is nearly three miles of climbing each time around and although it is not too severe the national team director, Alasdair MacLennan, said the wind could be a big factor.

On the most testing stretch yesterday morning he said there was a strong cross to head wind and although it was not very warm the conditions today will be important. The action is due to get under way at 11.45 a.m.

The women's event is over four laps this morning, starting at 9.15, with Ireland's hopes resting on Geraldine Gill and Tarja Owens. Almost 100 are expected to participate.

This European under 23 category championship, held for the first time last year when the Italians dominated, is regarded as even harder to win than the world title. By a strange twist of the regulations members of the leading professional trade teams are permitted to contest - the European event but they are excluded from the world title race so some of the men who have been doing well in the early season continental classics and stage races and are all set for the Tour de France - will be involved here today.

With a place in the Olympic road race at Atlanta on July 31st at stake - the Irish have an additional incentive and MacLennan, said he is hoping for a top 10 placing.

The course, goes the opposite way to the TT circuit, towards Governor's Bridge first, then to Onchan and a climb of almost 1,000 feet in just under three miles to Creg na Ba before the drop to Willaston and then along the finishing straight to the grandstand.

Some of the narrow stretches will pose problems with the large field. Because of the age restriction MacLennan had difficulty with the selection but although all the Irish have earned their places in the line up they will have to rise above the form they have shown so far if they are to get into contention.

There will be another chance to, earn a shot at the Olympic road race in the Manx International on Thursday when Fitzgerald, Duff and Hutton will be joined by David McCann, Peter Daly, Tommy Evans, Richie McCauley, Finn O'Sullivan and Leslie McKay. Attention today will be on Fitzgerald, Duff, Hutton, Power, O'Reilly and Baker with Fitzgerald and Duff the main hopes.