Owens impresses to earn place in starting line-up

Four months after she began a professional road-racing career with the Michela Fanini team, Irishwoman Tarja Owens looks set to line out in the prestigious women's Tour of Italy on July 2nd.

The Olympic mountainbiker, who this year switched to road racing to prepare for Athens 2004, has been handed a slot in the two-week race which is disputed by the top teams.

The decision is a big vote of confidence in the newcomer who has little experience in on-road racing but nevertheless has managed to secure the slot ahead of more experienced team-mates. According to Owens, a good ride in the Italian event would also secure a slot in the women's Tour de France later this year.

There is further encouragement for the women's scene in Ireland, which for years has been neglected but is starting to progress. Next Tuesday evening the new handicap league begins at 7.30 p.m. in Batterstown with a 10-kilometre time-trial. Open to all, national road manager Pauline McKay hopes the series will bring more women into the fold.

Track racing, too, is set for a resurgence. It has been announced that the Irish Cycling Federation have been awarded a grant of £57,000 by the Department of Tourism and Sport to develop the Sundrive Road facility. The ICF track commission will hold an open meeting tomorrow in Smithfield to discuss plans. All are welcome to attend.

One of the biggest touring events of the year takes place on Sunday when the IVCA Wicklow 200 winds its way over some of the most challenging terrain in the county. Leaving the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght at 7 a.m., the riders will travel along a route to the Sally Gap, Glendalough and over the Wicklow Gap.

The shorter 60-mile challenge then heads back to Tallaght, while the more ambitious will continue on a route which takes in Slieve Mann, Rathdrum and Glenmacnass before finishing back at the Basketball Arena. For more details contact Dick O'Brien at 01 4558216.

Finally, entries are due in today for the national road race championships in Lisburn, with a surcharge of £5 payable on all applications after this date. Contact Cormac McCann for details at 048 90270342.