O'Loughlin for California

CYCLING: Several weeks after he got his season underway in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, Irish road champion David O'Loughlin will line out against some of the world's top professionals in the Amgen Tour of California, which starts on Sunday.

O'Loughlin will be part of the Navigators Insurance team, joining Phil Zajicek, Mark Walters, Ben Brooks, Glen Chadwick, Vassili Davidenko, Valeriy Kobzarenko and Sergey Lagutin for the 2.1-ranked event.

"David is down to do California and will then head back to Europe to do our programme there," said the Navigators Insurance team manager, Ed Beamon, recently.

"If he is going well later on he will be on the team for the Tour of Georgia; if he is getting tired, he will get a rest at that point. I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on this season. He had a good first year with the team and is very motivated."

Though the Tour of California is in its first year, it has attracted an impressive field. Riders from Discovery, Phonak, T-Mobile, CSC, Gerolsteiner, Saunier Duval-Prodir, Credit Agricole, Davitamon Lotto and others will compete, the peloton including such big names as Floyd Landis, Bobby Julich and Dave Zabriskie.

Amgen's backing of the race has sparked much controversy because the biotechnology company manufactures EPO, the hormone illegally used by some riders to boost red blood cells.

Amgen say that they are seeking to promote the safe use of the product in curing disease and argue this justifies backing the race. The Tour of California runs from February 19th to 26th.

Meanwhile, David McCann has travelled to Australia to prepare at altitude with Tommy Evans for the Commonwealth Games. The Giant Asia rider impressed in the recent Tour de Langkawi, finishing second and fourth on stages, third on points, fourth in the mountains and 13th overall. He will train there, then ride the Tour of Taiwan before returning to Australia.

The former British junior road champion Daniel Martin recently announced he is available for selection for Ireland.

The VC La Pomme rider is based in Aubagne, near Marseille, and is a big prospect. He qualifies to wear green thanks to his mother, who is Irish.

FIXTURES: Today-Sunday: Women's Training Weekend, Nenagh, Co Tipperary. Camp is open to women of all abilities. For details and booking, phone Julie at 086-8132052. Sunday: Tour of Laois Leisure Cycle, 100km. Starts 11am, Portlaoise Rugby Club. For details phone Angelo at 087-2420195.