Owens to miss shot at the Tour

As the peloton speeds its way towards the Champs-ElysΘes on Sunday, Tarja Owens' hopes of riding the women's Tour de France have been dashed. Earlier this month, Owens became the first Irishwoman to ride the Tour of Italy, but she was eventually forced to withdraw because of a back injury several days after a bad crash on a mountain descent.

Still recovering, the Michela Fanini team have opted not to risk putting her into the women's Tour, which runs from the August 5th-19th.

Her disappointment has been tempered somewhat by the offer of a fully-fledged professional contract with the Tuscan squad for next season. The squad had provided her with a contract plus expenses for 2001, but the grit shown in Italy has won her a proper salary for next year.

Although her back is still recovering, Owens has taken the place of an ill Michelle Crinnion in the three-day Tour de la Haute-Vienne en Limousin, which starts today. The Irish team in France is completed by national champion Geraldine Gill, Debbie Booth and Louise Moriarty.

Following his win in last Sunday's Pog Chase, Robin Seymour, will remain in Ireland until August 11th, before returning to America and building up for the world MTB championships.

Another Irish team takes to the roads today, when Tommy Evans, Paddy Moriarty, Morgan Fox and Denis Lynch line out in the prestigious Manx International. Evans and Moriarty competed in the mountain time trial on Sunday, finishing eighth and ninth. This quartet will be joined by Shane Prendergast and Daniel Lynch for the world-ranked Tour of the Cotswalds on Sunday. Ciaran Power was also pencilled in to ride this with his St Quentin team, but the death of his father-in-law means that he will not travel.

On Monday, the ICF will meet John Treacy of the Irish Sports Council to discuss their strategy document which, if approved, will be the subject of discussion at regional meetings between August 21st and 24th. The ICF will also hold a fund-raising golf classic on August 13th at the Royal Tara Golf Club, Navan. More information from Cara at 01-8551522.

Finally, entries are being taken for the All-Ireland Criterium Championships in Killarney on August 4th. Phone 064-34294 for details.