McCann retains yellow jersey despite chest infection

CYCLING ROUND-UP:IRISH PRO David McCann has been fighting a chest infection since before the Tour de Taiwan started but, with two days remaining, he has battled on and continues to lead the race.

“I’m still in yellow – just about,” said McCann after yesterday’s mountain stage. “I’m taking antibiotics, coughing my lungs up every day and wondering just how unhealthy racing while sick is. But I will fight on.”

The Belfast rider finished in the 34-man front group, defending his jersey for the fourth day in a row. Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) was quickest in sprint but double stage winner Takashi Miyazawa (Japan National Team) took second and picked up a time bonus. He has been moving closer to McCann by virtue of these bonus seconds and while he remains fourth overall, he has cut his deficit from 50 seconds on day one to just 14.

McCann’s closest rival Philip Gaimon (Kenda presented by Geargrinder) has gone from 11 to eight seconds back, while the third-placed rider, William Clarke (Genesys Wealth Advisers), remains 11 seconds behind.

“I didn’t have great legs at all on the hills today but hung into the front group and the team rode well to bring back a dangerous break and leave me in yellow for another day,” said McCann.

The 2.2-ranked race continues today with the penultimate stage, a 131.7km leg from Taipei City to Shihsanhan.

In other news, the first New Zealand national team has been confirmed for this year’s FBD Insurance Rás, which begins in Dunboyne in over two months’ time.

An initial squad of seven riders has been announced, with the final selection of five to be determined closer to the May 23rd start.

National road-race champion Jack Bauer is likely to spearhead the quintet with the remainder coming from Olympic medallists Marc Ryan and Wes Gough, 2008 world omnium champion Hayden Godfrey, Melbourne track World Cup gold medallist Tom Scully plus national champions Shane Archbold and Shem Rodger.

Race director Dermot Dignam said: “The riders are all experienced and, as we have seen before with the British competitors, a track background can translate really well into road racing.”

This year’s Rás includes 24 categorised climbs and features finishes in Dundalk, Carrick-on-Shannon, Oughterard, Tipperary, Seskin Hill/Carrick-on-Suir, Gorey, Kilcullen and Skerries.

FIXTURES:Saturday: Track training, Sundrive Road. Starts 10.30am. CicliSport GP, Moneymore, East Tyrone. Starts 12pm, youth races at 10am. Markievicz Cup, Coolaney, Sligo. Starts 1pm. Sunday: Waller Cup, Bohermeen. Starts 1pm, youth races at 11am. John Deere Classic, Termon, Donegal. Starts 12pm. Mooney Trophy race, Coolaney, Sligo. Starts 1pm. Edge Sports Shop race, Carrigaline, Cork.