McCann has Atlanta place in his sights

FOLLOWING the disappointing Irish performances in the European under 23 road race championship here on the Isle of Man on Tuesday there is another chance for three of those who failed then, along with six others, in the Manx International today.

National team director, Alasdair MacLennan, entered the squad of nine but they will be taking part as individuals, riding for their clubs, with no team responsibilities.

Aidan Duff was best placed of the three finishers on Tuesday but he was only 64th and that did not help his cause regarding Olympic selection. However, he goes again today with Micheal Fitzgerald and Mark Hutton, who both retired soon after the halfway point of Tuesday's 100 miles.

Today's test is over three laps of the 373/4 miles TT circuit and Duff, Fitzgerald and Hutton will be joined on the starting line by Tommy Evans and David McCann, who were first and second in the FBD Milk Ras last month, Peter Daly, Finn O'Sullivan, Leslie McKay and Richie McCauley.

A place in the Olympic showpiece at Atlanta on July 31st is the incentive and on the form shown in recent weeks McCann appears to have the best chance today. He has not contested the three lap event here before his only experience of the circuit was when he finished seventh in the Viking Trophy race over two laps but he has been so outstanding on his recent outings that he has to be regarded as a leading contender.

After he had won at Navan on Sunday I asked McCann about his prospects in the Manx race and he said. "I'll be giving it my best shot. I have only ridden over two laps of the course so I'll just have to wait and see how I go on the third lap. I hear there is a top, class line up, with some really good climbers so it should be a very good race. I'll be trying my best, that's all I can do."

Martin Earley is also included in the entry of 74, he rides with his Raleigh team mates Gary Coltman and Barrie Clarke. However, even if Earley finishes ahead of all the Irish squad he would not be chosen for the Olympic road race as his mountain bike event is on the day before at Atlanta.

The other strong British professional teams, Ambrosia and Gill Peugeot are well represented with American based Malcolm Elliott and Simeon Hempsall included too and also Chris Lillywhite and Lee Davis. The British have their championship on Sunday at Abergavenny and Olympic selection is the big incentive for them too.

Michael Smyth (UCF) and Martin Maguire (Morrisseys) are among the entries as well but Irish attention will be on MacLennan's squad of nine a high placing by any one of them would put him in line for the Olympic place. I, however, they all flop like on Tuesday selection of a man for Olympic duty will be a difficult, even a forlorn, I ask.

Ciaran Power and Michael O'Reilly, who finished 83rd and 86th on Tuesday, contest the two lap Viking Trophy race today, with Shane Baker. The Irish junior team of Ross Blayney, Paul O'Callaghan, David O'Loughlin and Barry Twohig go in the one lap Mannin Veg.