O'Loughlin reeled back

CYCLING: Irish professional David O'Loughlin finished 30th on yesterday's third leg of the Settimana Ciclista Internazionale Coppi-Bartali in Italy. The 184.1 kilometre stage ended in a bunch sprint with the day's honours going to a fast-finishing Danilo Napolitano of Team LPR. O'Loughlin crossed the line as part of the main field as did compatriot and Navigators Insurance team-mate Ciarán Power, who was 102nd.

O'Loughlin went on the attack during the stage, going clear after 98 kilometres with six other riders. However, these were reeled in shortly afterwards, as was a later escape by Preben van Hecke (Davitamon Lotto) and Stefano Boggia (Ceramica Flaminia).

The resulting bunch sprint means that Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas Bianchi) retains his overall lead going into today's mountainous 152.4 kilometre stage to Serramazzoni.

O'Loughlin and Power remain 78th and 94th overall respectively.

Meanwhile, this weekend sees two big-stage races take place in Ireland. Some of the country's top riders will line out in the Credit Union Rás Mumhan today, with the Tralee-based Earl of Desmond squad leading the charge. Paul Griffin and the 2004 FBD Milk Rás champion David McCann (riding as a guest) will be part of their A squad in the race.

Last week's Des Hanlon Memorial winner Rory Wyley and his Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers team-mate, Tim Barry, should challenge, while the Cycleways trio of Philip Cassidy, his son Mark and Philip Finegan are amongst the contenders.

The foreign opposition will come from the Dutch BRC Kemmerland team and a six-man team representing Surrey. The race begins today with a 52-mile stage starting and finishing in Killorglin, taking in the second category climb of Sliabh Mish. Four more stages will follow over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Gorey three-day gets things under way with a road race from Brittas to Gorey tomorrow. The following day features a four-mile morning time trial and then four laps of a 15 mile circuit, with the riders winding things up with a road race from Gorey to Dublin on Easter Monday.

This year's event will doubtlessly be dedicated to Betty Darcy, who passed away last week and was buried on Sunday. Betty, wife of race organiser Sam Darcy, was a vital part of the race for many years, and was held in high regard by competitors and officials alike due to her warm, friendly manner. She will be greatly missed.

FIXTURES: Friday: Stage One Credit Union Ras Mumhan, Starts 2pm, Killorglin. Saturday: Stage Two Credit Union Ras Mumhan. Starts 11am, Killorglin. Stage One Gorey 3-Day. Starts noon, Brittas. Sunday: Stage Three TT, Credit Union Ras Mumhan. Starts 9am, Beaufort. Stage Two TT, Gorey Three-Day. Starts 9am, Enniscourty Road. Stage Three Gorey Three-Day, starts 1.30. Stage Four Credit Union Ras Mumhan. Starts 3.30pm. Killorglin Mayo league Srath Circuit, starts 11am.