Visitors to test Power's Irish squad in Ras

SAILING/Weekly Column: With the race over one week away, it has been announced that the largest ever contingent of foreign riders will take part in the FBD Milk Rás this year. In all, 100 competitors are travelling to participate in the eight-day race, with three professional and four national teams figuring among the 20 visiting squads.

Spearheading the charge are the strong Britain quintet led by defending champion Paul Manning, plus the Canada-Sympatico, South Africa-HSBC and Poland-Legia pro teams. Entries have also been confirmed for squads from France, Germany, Denmark, Japan, the USA, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. The Lagos Cycling Team will travel from Nigeria when visas are issued.

Over half the field of 195 riders will be made up of foreign competitors. National road manager Declan Byrne is fielding a strong Team Ireland-Stena Line selection with professional cyclist and former Rás winner Ciarán Power leading the squad.

Power is currently competing in the Four Days of Dunkirk event with his Navigators team. Mark Scanlon and Tommy Evans are also in action in French events with VC La Pomme, but Paul Griffin's preparation has been hampered by tendonitis. He and Rás team-mate Tim Barry were due to compete on Sunday in the Lincoln Grand Prix, but with Griffin injured, David O'Loughlin down with the flu and Brian Kenneally injured from his crash in the Circuit des Mines, the Irish team have withdrawn from the race.

Tarja Owens has been awarded a UCI scholarship in the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland. Owens will start the programme at the end of May. She will be coached by the former pro and European mountainbike champion Chantel Daucourt.

In the first round of the All-Cables Women's Cycling League Usher IRC-rider Valerie Considine won the 25km road race. Elsa Connaughton can be contacted at 01-8551522 for details of remaining events.

FIXTURES: Tomorrow: Tommy Given Memorial, Hillsborough, starts noon; Red Bull Moon Rider four-man downhill, Glenarm, starts 3.0 - main race 9 p.m. (contact 048-90664477 for more details); Cycling Ireland e.g.m., Creggin Court Hotel, Athlone. Sunday: Ganley GP, Athlone, starts 1.0; Noel Hammond memorial/Kelly Roche classic, Ballyboughil, 11.30; Silver Pail GP, Fermoy, 2.0; Tour of the Mournes, Newry, 11.0; Tuesday: Orchard criterium, Richill, 6.0; Wednesday: 25km road race, Batterstown, 7.30.