Major sponsorship deal imminent

CYCLING: The national governing body, Cycling Ireland, is to receive the substantial boost of a major sponsorship deal, to be announced shortly. Chief executive Eamon Duffy says it will be of huge benefit to their plans for the development of the sport in Ireland.

While the identity of the sponsor will not be released until an official announcement is made, Duffy did confirm that the contract will last three years and is "the biggest ever sponsorship deal for cycling in this country".

"This deal, combined with the existing support of the Irish Sports Council, will be of crucial importance for Cycling Ireland," said Duffy yesterday. "It will mean that we will be in a position to fully implement our new strategic plan, which in turn will make the resurgence of our sport progressive and sustainable."

Mountainbike-rider Robin Seymour appears to be thriving since joining the Mapei off-road team earlier this year. The Wicklow rider has registered a number of high placings in recent days, taking fifth in the GP Toscana, 12th in race in Brianza and then placing third in the gruelling event in Monte Murlo, the early stages of which saw the riders tackle a climb lasting an hour and a half.

On Wednesday, Seymour came fourth in a race in Moscufo, finishing just two minutes behind the winner - and former world champion - Hubert Pallhuber.

Seymour's partner Tarja Owens is also faring well in Italy, winning a recent mountainbike race near her base in Tuscany and placing eighth in an E2 event last weekend.

In France, Denis Lynch is similarly recording good results. Fifth in the recent 1.12.1 Bourg-Hautville event, Lynch performed well in two under-23 World Cup races, placing 14th in La Cote Picarde and 21st in Paris-Mantes.

Back home, this weekend's Tour of Ulster offers a good pointer as to the favourites for the fast-approaching FBD Milk Rás. The organisers report that a full-strength field has been lined up for the event, which starts today, including teams from England and the Isle of Man.

On the subject of the FBD Milk Rás, the Leinster Cycling Federation are holding a commemorative evening looking back on 50 years of the race, entitled "Let's hear it for the Men of the Rás". It takes place on Thursday, May 9th, in The Garda Club, Westmanstown, Lucan at 8.30 p.m. sharp. Tickets and further details are available from Will Byrne at 086-8047839, or from the LCF itself.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Today: Kilconly Gp, Kilconly, starts 7 p.m.

Tomorrow: UCPC Tour of Ulster stage one, Craigavon, starts noon. Corkman Three-day, stage one, Kanturk. Starts 3.30 p.m.

Sunday 5th: UCPC Tour of Ulster, stage two, Lisburn, starts 11 a.m. UCPC Tour of Ulster stage three, Downpatrick. Starts 5 p.m. Corkman Three-day stage two, Kanturk, starts 9 a.m.

Corkman Three-day stage three, Kanturk, starts 2.30 p.m.

Waller Cup, Bohermeen, starts 2.15 p.m.

IVCA 40-mile CP, Black Bull, starts 10 a.m.

NPS XC round one, Big Wood, Warrenpoint road, Newry, starts noon.

Monday 6th: UCPC Tour of Ulster stage four, Downpatrick, starts 11 a.m. Corkman Three-day stage four, Kanturk, starts 10 a.m.