CYCLING/Weekly column: This Sunday six Irish riders will line out in one of their biggest assignments of the season when they take part in the European road race championships in Otepaa, Estonia. Philip Deignan, Nicolas Roche, Páidí O'Brien, Tim Cassidy, Seán Lacey and Andrew McQuaid will be aiming for a strong performance in the under-23 contest.

Deignan, Roche, O'Brien and Cassidy have been competing this season as part of the VC La Pomme team in France and have amassed some fine results between them.

The first two have been particularly impressive, taking strong placings in under-23 World Cup races and finishing in the top four in the Irish road race championship. As a result Deignan has landed a two-year professional contract with Ag2R Prevoyance for 2005 and 2006, while Roche has a trial with the Cofidis team this Autumn.

"We are hoping for a strong ride from the team," said Martin O'Loughlin of Cycling Ireland's high performance group. "The four VC La Pomme riders have been riding very strongly. Andrew and Seán are also in fine shape and will do their utmost to help them during the race."

O'Loughlin is currently in Cyprus in his role as Olympic team manager and reports that things are going well. "Ciaran Power is coming into great condition and is doing a lot of motor-pacing work. Robin Seymour and Jenny McCauley are also working hard and will line out in a mountainbike race in the Troodos Mountains this weekend."

Mark Scanlon is currently competing in the Tour of Denmark but will join the rest of the squad shortly.

Meanwhile, the teams for both the European championships and the Olympic Games, plus other international squads for races later this season, will be supported under a new sponsorship deal announced recently between Cycling Ireland and Grant Thornton.

The company has come on board for the remainder of 2004 and its backing will ensure full support for the Irish riders in major competitions.