Power shows good early season form

CYCLING: Irish professional Ciarán Power showed he is on course for a good spring campaign in Europe when he rode well on yesterday's third stage of the Tour Down Under in Australia.

The Navigators Insurance rider crossed the line in 15th place, 18 seconds after Frenchman Philippe Gilbert outsprinted Australian cyclist Gene Bates to take the stage win. The duo had broken clear inside the last four kilometres and just managed to hold off the late pursuit of Tour de France regulars Robbie McEwen and Baden Cooke, who were third and fourth respectively.

Power was in the thick of the action throughout the 150 kilometre stage, initially going clear with 18 other riders on the descent of Newland Hill shortly after the start. A frantic pursuit by the main bunch ensured that a regrouping of sorts took place 20 kilometres later, but a strong Power was able to surge once more and go with a 16-rider counter-attack.

This group worked well together to open up a massive lead over the main bunch, taking over half an hour out of race leader Dave McPartland and the rest of the field by the finish.

Besides McPartland, Irish professional Mark Scanlon and his whole Ag2r team were left stranded in the second group. Scanlon had been on the right side of a similar split on Wednesday and moved up to 20th overall, but is now back in 42nd place in the general classification after finishing 63rd yesterday. Power is up to 31st place, 29 minutes and 21 seconds behind the new race leader Pat Jonker (UniSA).

The race continues today with a 141-kilometre stage from Unley to Hahndorf. Both Power and Scanlon will grab every opportunity to land a high stage placing before the race ends on Sunday.

In other news, the Irish Sports Council announced this week that Cycling Ireland will receive €239,765 in funding for 2004, a slight increase of €2,590 over last year's total.

Cycling Ireland's CEO Stuart Hallam welcomed the news, saying that it showed the Sports Council recognised CI's prudent use of funds last year. "We are grateful to the Irish Sports Council for the 2004 award," he said. "Whilst it does not allow us to introduce new initiatives just yet, the amount should enable us to continue to improve the structures of the organisation."

TOUR DOWN UNDER: Stage Three (Goolwa - Victor Harbor): 1, Philippe Gilbert (FDJeux.com) 150 kilometres in 3 hours 28 mins 50 secs; 2, G. Bates (UniSA); 3, R. McEwen (Lotto-Domo); 4, B. Cooke (FDJeux.com); 5, G. Figueras (Panaria-Margres); 6, D. McKenzie (Navigators Insurance Cycling Team); 7, Massimo Giunti (Domina Vacanze); 8, L. Roberts (UniSA). Irish: 15, C. Power (Navigators Cycling Team) at 18 secs; 63, M. Scanlon (Ag2r) at 33.46.

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION (after stage three): 1, Patrick Jonker (UniSA) 8 hours 14 mins 14 secs; 2, Gilbert, at 1 min 39 secs; 3, McEwen, at 1 min 44 secs; 4, Bates, same time; 5, A. Fisher Murillo (Domina Vacanze) at 1 min 46 secs; 6, G. Figueras (Panaria-Margres) at 1 min 47 secs; 7, L. Roberts (UniSA); 8, McKenzie, at 1 min 48 secs. Other: 31, Power, at 29 mins 21 secs; 42, Scanlon, at 35 mins 34 secs.