The racing season may have just got under way here, but Irish elite riders abroad are already in the thick of the action. On Wednesday, Mark Scanlon sprinted home second in the highly-ranked amateur event, the Grand prix de la Foire Expo de Rennes, showing that he is well on track for a good year.

The 20-year-old finished just 35 seconds behind Nantes 44 Cyclisme team-mate Yuriy Krivsov in the French race, beating nine riders in the sprint for second place. Next up is the two-day Tour du Canton de St-Ciers which starts tomorrow.

Professionals Ciaran Power and David McCann also have two days of action ahead: Power lines out in the Criterium International with his St Quentin team, while McCann has recovered from his bronchitis and will ride both the GP of Geneva and the Tour du Lac Liman.

World ranking points are also on offer for the four riders on the Irish team to dispute Sunday's Archer Grand Prix in Buckinghamshire. The team comprises Tommy Evans, Morgan Fox, Stephen O'Sullivan and Tim Barry.

With focus now turning towards places on the Irish team for the FBD Milk Ras, each will be keen to impress. Others, such as Aidan Duff, have been riding well of late and competition for the five slots is sure to be high. To women's racing, and Susan O'Mara finished a fine ninth overall in the four-day Tour of Malta. She is likely to be on the Irish team to contest the Tour of Daytona from July 31st to August 5th, with the world championships this autumn also a target.

Another part of the rejuvenation of women's cycling occurs this summer with the holding of an eight-race league, overseen by a new racing development group. The quintet comprises national squad manager Pauline McKay, Anita Cassidy, Susan Lavery, Delores Usher and Therese Dowd.

Finally, entries are due in today for the Dublin Skip Gorey three-day race. See Aertel for details.

Fixtures: Tomorrow - Leinster CF league race, Roundwood. S, J, V, L. Starts 11.0. Sunday - Cycleways Cup, Navan. S, J, V, L. Starts 1.0. Underage race at 11.0. Kingdom Bar RR, Killorglin. S, J, V, L, underage. Starts 1. Aghagallon Cup, Aghagallon. Starts 12.30. IVCA 2 up Australian Pursuit TT. Sign on Dunboyne sports centre at 9.30