Power moves up the gears

Cycling News round-up: Ciarán Power continued his fine return to form from an operation earlier this year when he took fourth on the second stage of the Tour de Beauce in Canada. He and his Navigators Insurance team-mate David O'Loughlin were part of a six-man break that was clear for much of the 180km stage in Saint Georges, Quebec, the latter placing fifth.

They finished in the same time as stage winner John Fredy Parra (Tecos Trek VH).

O'Loughlin and Power had sat on the break in order to protect the leader's jersey of team-mate Valeriy Kobzarenko, but his rival, Stefan Parinussa (Sparkasse), got into the move and was able to take over the lead. The Irish duo were expected to win the stage because of this, but while Power was led out by O'Loughlin, he said afterwards he still hasn't recovered the sprinting speed he lost during his lay-off.

But he will be encouraged by the speed of his return to racing, given that his first competition this year was in late April.

O'Loughlin had also finished sixth on day one. He is best placed of the Irish overall, in fourth, two minutes and 17 seconds behind Parinussa, while Power is ninth, 2:39 back.

The Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group team are also riding, with Simon Kelly highest placed of them in 58th.

Conor Murphy, Derek Burke and Morgan Fox are 103rd, 110th and 118th respectively.

To Irish racing, and veteran Anto Moran (Ravens) won the three-day Staggs Lucan competition this week. The event was run off on a points basis, and Moran's win on day one and fourth on Wednesday's concluding evening stage was enough to see him take the race lead back from the day-two winner, Tommy Evans.

Evans finished third in the final standings, Ger Madden (Obelisk) taking second.

In other news, this weekend sees the running of the Best Buddies Charity Cycle, an event held to raise money and awareness for the non-profit organisation that works to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It will start in the Phoenix Park at 9am on Sunday and includes cycles of 90 miles and 25 miles, as well as a post-spin party.

Participants are required to have raised sponsorship. More details are available from Cycling Ireland at 01-8551522.

Finally, the fourth round of the National Points cross-country series will be run by Team Worc in Ballinastoe Woods, near Roundwood, Co Wicklow, on Sunday. Previously called the Pog Chase, this is a C2 world-ranked contest and is being run under a new format. Instead of the riders racing over a long, single lap, they will scrap it out on a circuit.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY: National Youth Grass Track Champs, Leinster. Contact Alan Bingham for details on 087 7603487; Sundrive track racing, Eamonn Ceannt Park, Kimmage, sign on 10.30; Buddies Charity Cycle, 9am in Phoenix Park.

SUNDAY: XC NPS round four (UCI C2), Ballinastoe Woods, near Roundwood. Underage racing starts noon, other categories 1.30pm; John Drumm Memorial, Currow, Killarney. Youth races start noon, other events 2 pm; Seán Nolan Meath GP, Navan. Youth race starts 11am, other events at 1am. Mid Ulster Grand Prix, Cookstown, Co Down, at 1 pm.