McCann can grab lead in Australia

Cycling: National road race champion David McCann has a chance to take the race lead on today's penultimate stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Australia, following a fine performance on yesterday's summit finish at Lake Mountain.

The Giant Asia rider placed seventh at the top of the climb, crossing the line two minutes seven seconds behind the stage winner, Matthew Lloyd, of the South Australia.com team. He finished seven seconds behind last year's race winner, Simon Gerrans (Australian National Team), who took over as race leader.

The performance saw McCann move one place to fourth overall. He is quicker against the clock than the Australian and so has a good chance to make up his 11-second deficit in today's 11.3km time trial.

But his strongest challenge may come from American Phil Zajicek (Navigators Insurance), who is six seconds ahead of him in the general classification and can also ride well in solo tests.

McCann won a time trial in the race last year on the way to finishing third overall. He has ridden strongly all season, taking the Tour of Indonesia in September.

Ciarán Power is also faring well in the general classification. He is 12th overall, 4:35 back. The Navigators Insurance rider was 24th yesterday, one place behind Paul Griffin (Giant Asia).

Both came in as part of a group going for 15th place, 5:14 behind the stage winner. Stephen Gallagher was 77th.

Griffin and Gallagher are 41st and 49th overall in the 2.1-ranked race.

In other news, Power's team-mate David O'Loughlin has confirmed he will compete once again for the Navigators Insurance team in 2007. The Mayo rider had been in preliminary talks with the Unibet squad, which is expected to graduate to the top-ranked ProTour level next season, but the deal did not materialise.

O'Loughlin had offers from Navigators and from the Seán Kelly ACLBV M Donnelly team, the Irish continental squad based in Belgium. He had expressed an interest in racing full-time in Europe in 2007, but financial considerations ultimately saw him opt to re-sign for Navigators.

Power recently inked his own deal to stay with the squad, while former world junior champion Mark Scanlon is also rumoured to be heading across the Atlantic in 2007. The 26-year-old Sligoman is expected to announce the name of his new team once the contract has been finalised.

Finally, a foundation-level coaching course will take place at St Loman's GAA club in Mullingar tomorrow. Recognised by the NCTC, the Cycling Ireland course will cost €20, with manuals and lunch provided. Contact Will Byrne at 086 8047839 to book place.

SATURDAY: Foundation coaching course, St Loman's GAA club, Mullingar. Contact Will Byrne at 086 8047839.

SATURDAY/SUNDAY: Missing Miles Cycle, to raise awareness of Irish people who have disappeared in recent years. Naas - Tullamore - Naas. More details from Tosh Lavery at 086 8956917.

SUNDAY: Irish DH NPS round eight, Bree, Co Wexford, noon. Kevin King Memorial Tour, 10am. Details from Seamus Donegan at 087 2258066.