CYCLING:IRISH DUO Daniel Martin and Nicolas Roche will aim for a strong showing in Sunday's Liège-Bastogne-Liège Classic in Belgium, using different build-ups for the race.
Martin showed strong climbing form when he finished sixth in Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne Classic, recovering well after being badly placed at the start of the final climb of the Mur de Huy.
Roche had a tougher day on yesterday’s third stage of the Giro del Trentino in Italy, struggling with gearing that was too high for the wall-like climb of the Punta Veleno. He finished 33rd and starts today’s final stage in 29th overall, six minutes 45 seconds behind yesterday’s stage winner Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago CSF Bardiani).
At home, a strong line-up of British teams have been confirmed for this year’s An Post Rás, which starts in one month’s time in Dunboyne. The 2009 race-winner, Simon Richardson, and previous stage-winner Dan Craven will head the IG Sigma Sport team, while the Rapha Condor Sharp squad, which triumphed on that occasion with Richardson, will return and includes riders such as the promising young Irish competitor Felix English. Two years after Alexander Wetterhall triumphed, his former Sprocket team returns under the title of Team UK Youth Pro Cycling.
The final two British-registered squads will each have a strong young Irish rider on board. Former An Post Grant Thornton Seán Kelly rider Philip Lavery will compete with Node 4 Giordana, the team managed by Vuelta a Espana points jersey winner Malcolm Elliott, while Stephen Halpin will be part of a Metaltek-Scott squad led by Dale Appleby.
Elsewhere, Sam Bennett will be the sole Irish rider on the An Post Grant Thornton Seán Kelly team in Sunday’s Ronde Van Noord-Holland.
Finally the recent announcement that FBD Insurance will back the Talent Team 2020 youth squad, which is developing riders for future Olympics, has been followed by news of another sponsorship. Neenan Travel-Breakaway.iewill give financial backing to a girls' Talent Team 2020 set-up.
