Power can turn it on again

Irish professional cyclist CiarβPower is pinning his hopes on a strong display in the upcoming Tour de L'Avenir, after a season blighted by bad luck.

Power's encouraging professional debut last year was expected to be followed by further progression, but the collapse of the Linda McCartney team last January saw him stranded without competition for several weeks.

The 1998 FBD Milk Rβs champion then found a slot with the small St Quentin outfit but his improving fitness was ruined when he broke his collarbone in a sprinting pile-up in the Four Days of Dunkirk race in May.

Further disruption then followed with the unexpected death of the father of his fiancΘe Lisa, and he has only recently returned to racing in France.

Power is currently competing in the 2.4-ranked Tour de Poitou-Charentes, which ends today, and will then contest the highly regarded Tour de L'Avenir from September 6th-15th.

Mark Scanlon is now set to miss the latter race, lining out instead as part of the Team Ireland squad for the Tour of Hokkaido in Japan on September 12th.

Scanlon was 10th in the time-trial in last weekend's European under-23 Championships, but, despite high expectations, was just 72nd in the road race.

According to national team manager Declan Byrne, Scanlon was riding well on the day but lost out because of the dangerous course. He will be joined in Japan by David McCann, Tommy Evans, Paul Griffin and Paddy Moriarty.

Meanwhile, Susan O'Mara has been selected by women's squad manager Pauline McKay to compete in the world championships in October. O'Mara has got the nod over Tarja Owens, with the latter now aiming for a good ride in the world mountainbike championships on September 16th.

She was 32nd in last weekend's final round of the World Cup in Canada. Another MTB rider, Mark Kenny, will line out in this weekend's masters world championships in Quebec.

Following last weekend's successful underage championships, the Eurocycles/Eurotrek Senior, Juniors and Ladies National Track Championships will take place tomorrow at Sundrive Road.

A one-hour Telegael documentary on the 3000 mile Blazing Saddles American Coast to Coast Cycle will be shown at 10.25 p.m. on Monday night on RT╔ 1.

FIXTURES: Tomorrow: Eurocycles/Eurotrek national track championships, Sundrive Road, Crumlin. Starts 11 a.m.. Contact Will Byrne at 086 8047839 for details. Sunday: Leinster CF RR champs, Kilcullen. Starts 12 noon. Garhill Cup, Ballinrobe. Starts at 12 noon ICF NPS Cross Country race. Starts Ballinastoe, Roundwood at 12 noon. IVCA 50 mile TT champs, starts Blessington at 9 a.m.. UCF Veterans RR champs, starts Nutts Corner at 10 a.m..