Top Irish cyclists to hit the Road

CYCLING/Weekly round-up: The country's top cyclists will travel home to contest the National Road Race Championships this month. Double champion David McCann, FBD Milk Rás winner Ciarán Power and their fellow professionals David O'Loughlin and James Hodnett will all return from abroad for the hilly Stamullen race.

The participation of former world junior champion Mark Scanlon and his VC La Pomme team-mates Tommy Evans and Denis Lynch was also confirmed at last night's race launch in Swords, the trio returning from their base in Marseilles with the aim of taking world ranking points.

Also flying home from France is Geraldine Gill, who has hopes of an unprecedented fourth consecutive title in the women's event. Her biggest opposition is likely to be Swiss-based Tarja Owens and Lorraine Manning. Both races take place on Sunday, June 30th.

While racing on the track at Sundrive Road is suspended due to resurfacing, the Cycling Ireland Track Commission are holding a workshop tomorrow at 11.30 a.m. in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, to outline plans for the 2003/2004 season.

Finally, the 20th holding of the Wicklow 200 Classic takes place this Sunday. There are two routes on offer: the Wicklow Gap Challenge covers a 60-mile course which takes in four climbs, while the full 126-mile route features a further seven peaks. Further details are available from Dick O'Brien at 01 455 8216, by e-mail at w200atgofree.indigo.ie or at www.ivca.info.

Fixtures - Saturday 15th: Castlebar Criterium, Castlebar. Track Commission workshop, Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, starts 11.30. MTB training day/workshop, Roundwood, starts 10.0. (More details on both from Cycling Ireland at 8551522).

Sunday 16th: Sean Nolan Meath GP, Navan. Starts 1 pm. Killorglin Bar road race, Killorglin, starts 1.0. MTB cross-country NPS round 3, Ballinastoe Wood, starts noon. Wicklow 200 Classic/Wicklow Gap Challenge, start National Basketball Arena, Tallaght at 7.0 and 8.0 respectively.