With Ciaran Power now secure for the season within the ranks of the division two professional St Quentin-Oktos squad, and Mark Scanlon considering a number of options, attention turns to the other Irish riders who are set to compete abroad this year.

Olympic mountain bike riders Tarja Owens and Robin Seymour are the latest to reveal their plans for 2001. Owens has opted for two years of road-racing in order to prepare for Athens and has landed a slot with the top-ranked professional SC Michela Fanini team. While she has limited experience of road racing, the squad have promised that the 23-year-old will have ample time to settle in, and she will obviously learn much with such an elite set-up.

As for Seymour, he has decided to focus on America this season. Currently without a team, the 29-year-old multiple national champion hopes that a strong ride in these races and the world cup events will attract the attention of a backer. He will begin his American campaign in the Sea Otter classic from 23rd-25th March.

National road champion David McCann is in Spain preparing for his professional debut with the CCC Mat team and will begin racing in Mexico at the end of the month.

The six Team Ireland riders are set to depart for Marseilles next week, while David McQuaid (VC Roubaix), Aidan Duff (23 La Creuse), and Stephen Gallagher (Albi VS) will also be based in France this season.

On the domestic front, the ICF will this Sunday hold a meeting for female cyclists at the Emmaus Conference centre in Swords. The session begins with training and leisure spins at 10.30, with a meeting to discuss development strategies at 1.30.

Meanwhile, the ICF have announced that Declan Byrne will act as senior road manager this year while Jim Cassidy will oversee juniors and women. Finally, a three-day level one coaching course starts tonight at 7.30 in the Park Hotel, Mallow. Details of this, and next weekend's Leinster equivalent can be obtained from the ICF at 8551522.