ProTour duo in Irish squad

CYCLING:With the race beginning in 19 days, the list of participating teams has been finalised for the Tour of Ireland. The identities of the riders concerned will be finalised shortly, but all but one of the Irish squad has been named for the event.

The team will be led by ProTour riders Nicolas Roche and Philip Deignan, regarded as two of the most talented young Irish competitors. Both are due to resume racing in the Polynormande race on Sunday and will then ride several other events to build form for the five-day Tour of Ireland.

They will be joined in the green jerseys by double FBD Insurance Rás stage winner Brian Kenneally, Paul Griffin, Dermot Nally and Martyn Irvine. One other slot will be filled shortly.

Ciarán Power, David O'Loughlin (Navigators Insurance), David McCann (Colavita Sutter Home), Páidí O'Brien and Mark Cassidy (Murphy and Gunn/Newlyn Group/M Donnelly Seán Kelly) will be riding the race with their regular teams.

The final three teams were announced yesterday. Cyclo-cross World Cup champion Sven Nys will lead a young Rabobank team. He will be joined by world junior cross champion Boy van Poppel.

Norwegian team Maxbo Bianchi are bringing the national TT champion Edvald Boasson Hagen. National road race champion Alexander Kristoff is also part of the team.

Former Gent-Wevelgem winner Nico Mattan will lead the DFL-Cyclingnews Litespeed squad. Recent Tour of Qinghai Lake runner-up Daniel Lloyd will also be wearing the team colours.

The 2.1-ranked tour will run from August 22nd-26th.

FIXTURES

Saturday: Madigan GP, Carrickfergus; Track training, Eamonn Ceannt Park, Sundrive Road, 11am; DH NPS round six, Wicklow, noon (more details from Ross at 086 2300950); Mountnugent Festival Race, starts 7.30pm. Saturday-Monday: Kerry Youth Tour, starts Beaufort (contact 064 44396 for details); Suir Valley three-day, Clonmel (for more details call Paul at 086 2440933). Sunday: Gene Moriarty Cup, Listowel, 1pm; Open 16km TT, Warrenpoint, at 10am. Monday: Crotty Cup, Kilrush, 12.30pm.