Tomorrow afternoon, another important step in the continuing renaissance of Irish cycling takes place when Ciaran Power and eight of his Linda McCartney teammates line up for the six kilometre prologue time trial of the Tour of Italy. It is seven years since an Irish rider took part in a three-week major tour, and while it is unusual nowadays for a first-year professional to be thrust into such a demanding event, Power is determined both to finish the race and to attempt a high stage placing along the way.
The 24-year-old from Waterford goes into the race with the instruction to work for team leaders Pascal Richard and Max Sciandri, and also to assist in preparing sprints for Tayeb Braikia, who recorded three top four placings in the recent Tour of Romandie. However, once the race becomes hillier Power hopes to have the opportunity to aim for a high finish, and will undoubtedly benefit from some recent training carried out in the Pyrenees.
Ireland's other professional rider, Morgan Fox, recorded a highly encouraging 14th place on Wednesday's second stage of the Spanish Vuelta Asturias behind winner Henk Vogels. Fox has had some trouble lately with a persistent chest infection, but this latest showing indicates that the 25-year-old is settling into life with the Tonissteiner team.
There was a strong performance by another Irishman abroad in recent days when Aidan Duff, placed 11th, fifth and fifth on stages of the Tour des Mauges race, to finish fourth overall. Duff will start the FBD Milk Ras next weekend as a strong contender in what is a record 200-rider entry in the race, although with 16 different foreign teams confirmed he and other Irish riders may find this race more unpredictable than recent editions. One recent change is the inclusion of the Belgian DCM team in place of the Egyptian outfit.
Paddy Moriarty was the best placed of the Irish riders in 16th place in last Sunday's Lincoln Grand Prix, and is one of the contenders for this Sunday's Shay Elliot memorial in Bray.
