Top teams confirmed in impressive line-up

CYCLING TOUR OF IRELAND:THE WORLD'S top three teams plus the sixth-ranked Cervélo Test Team will be part of what is an impressive line-up for this year's Tour of Ireland.

Saxo Bank, currently second, and Cervélo were yesterday confirmed as joining the previously-announced Astana and Columbia HTC teams in the race, which will run from August 21st to 23rd this year.

Both of those squads had excellent showings in the Tour de France. Saxo Bank netted second and fifth overall thanks to the brothers Andy and Frank Schleck, who held the yellow jersey for several days with Fabian Cancellara and won three stages.

The Cervélo Test Team featured 2008 Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre and, while he was unable to repeat his success of last year, Thor Hushovd won the green points jersey for most consistent rider. The Swiss-registered team also won stages with Hushovd and Heinrich Haussler.

It is as yet unknown which riders these teams will field. However Columbia HTC and Astana will send two major guns to take part, and these are expected to draw huge crowds.

“This year’s line-up is a very strong one, and features two out of the three biggest names currently in cycling,” said event organiser Alan Rushton at yesterday’s race launch in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Powerscourt. “Having Mark Cavendish back again is fantastic and he obviously enjoyed himself last year when he won three stages. Lance Armstrong is a legend in cycling and it will be great for fans to see him race on Irish roads.

“Team Saxo Bank, Cérvelo, Columbia-HTC and Astana all had great results in this year’s Tour de France and we are sure that racing in Ireland will be very competitive.”

Last Sunday Cavendish took what was a superb sixth stage win in the Tour when he galloped to success in Paris. Armstrong finished third overall, four years after taking his seventh Tour win and then retiring. His participation in the Irish event will coincide with the hosting of the first Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin on August 24 -26th.

Irish support will be focused on Philip Deignan, a strong climber who races with the Cervélo Test Team, the An Post M Donnelly Grant Thornton Seán Kelly squad and a national team selection. Two of the An Post riders are in a race against time to be ready for their home Tour; national road race silver and bronze-medallists David O’Loughlin and Paídi O’Brien are uncertain due to recent accidents.

O’Loughlin had a bad crash last week and suffered facial injuries, while O’Brien sustained tendon damage to his hand a month ago.

“I really want to take part and am doing everything I can to be ready,” said the latter. “But it’s going to be very touch and go as regards whether I’ll be recovered in time.” He plans to head to a physiotherapist in Belgium in order to try to speed the healing process.

The Irish national team will include talented 18-year-old Sam Bennett, who last year won the European junior points race and then took stage seven of this year’s FBD Insurance Rás.

TOUR OF IRELAND TEAMS: Columbia HTC, Saxo Bank, Astana, Cervélo Test Team, Rabobank, BMC Racing, ISD Neri, Team Type 1, MTN Energade, Joker Bianchi, Rapha Condor, Halfords Bike Hut, CandiTV Marshall's Pasta, An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly squad, Irish national team, Australian national team.