NEWS ROUNDUP

POWER GETS GOING AGAIN

Following a recent operation to treat endofibrosis, Navigators Insurance professional Ciarán Power will today get his return to training underway with some off-bike work. The Waterford rider went under the knife last month to correct a blood flow obstruction in his external iliac artery, which led to the symptoms of numbness and a loss of power.

“Everything went well,” he said in recent days. “I start back in the gym on Monday. I can do half hour of swimming and half hour of running every day for two weeks. Then I can get back on bike for an hour a day for a week. After that, I will do 40 kilometres a day the next week, then progress to 60 kilometres a day. I can also do the hour a day in the gym, too.”

Power says that he can ramp up his training in mid-April. He is looking at racing in Ireland in order to build his fitness, before returning to international competition. “I am looking at possibly doing the Tour of Ulster as my first race back, to test myself,” he said. “I will then talk to the team and decide what the best plan is in order to return to my highest level as soon as possible.”

The 29 year old had been struggling with the leg problem ever since he took thirteenth place in the Olympic Games road race in Athens. He is hoping that he will make a complete recovery and get back to that kind of form later this year. Other professionals such as Stuart O’Grady have undergone similar treatment in the past and returned to full strength, giving Power considerable encouragement.

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2006 FBD INSURANCE RÁS - STAGE 2 - RACE END IN COBH (press release)

- PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR HIGHLIGHT OF CORK'S SPORTING YEAR -


Preparations are underway as one of Ireland's most stunning seaside towns gears-up to host a stage of Ireland's largest sporting event.

Cobh in East Cork will, on May 22, host the most spectacular finish to this year's international ranked cycle race the FBD Insurance Ras.

Thousands of spectators will throng the route as the 150 strong field speed into the town for the end of stage two of the race.

Ballymore Cycling and Touring Club (BCTC), based in Cobh, will have sole responsibility for organising and financing the huge event.

Some of the world's top athletes will jet into Dublin for the start of the week long race on May 21, but it is the Cobh stage that has been hailed as the jewel in the crown for cycling enthusiasts.

Stage Two is the race's longest and will see the huge bunch travel the mammoth 180-km journey from Enniscorthy.

"The club are absolutely delighted that the Ras is coming to visit Cobh and we are working very hard to have everything in place," said BCTC chairman Edward O'Riordan.

The arrival of the race will be all the more poignant as it is 20-years since the FBD Ras last rolled into Cobh.

"This year's race is going to be a fantastic spectacle as the riders will come in past the waterfront and up past the Cathedral to finish at the top of the town.

"Photographically it will be stunning as the finish will have the cathedral and the harbour in the background.

"For the fans it'll be a chance to see the race up close and see the riders tackle what will be one of the toughest stages," added Edward.

The Ras is not alone about the cyclists and a huge entourage follows the race.

International media will broadcast to the world as the race has grown in popularity with the top riders across the globe.

Riders from continental teams and further afield will be in attendance.

Sean Kelly's new Cycling team are just one of the international ranked squads set to line out and former World Champ, Sligo's Mark Scanlon is also expected to race.

The greatest upset of the day could come in the shape of BCTC's own cycling elite as they are in training to compete in the event. Negotiations are also underway to try and send with sponsors at present in the hope of sending a team to the race.

Riders such as Michael Fitzgerald and John O'Brien have successfully competed on Irish roads. Michael has represented his country already and is due to jet out to take part in the international ranked Tour of Serbia with the Munster Team.

Organising the stage finish is a huge logistical undertaking for BCTC. Hotels as well as Bed and Breakfasts will be booked out weeks ahead of the arrival of the race.

Vast metres of safety barriers will be erected and an army of stewards will keep watch at dangerous junctions.

Specialist bales will be placed along the route and course road-markings will also be in place.

The race even has its own radio station broadcasting a constant flow of what is taking place on the route.

The club will have to meet the huge financial cost of hosting such a race and fundraising is underway.

"It is going to cost a lot of money to host this event and we have begun a mammoth fundraising campaign already but we are asking anyone who can help out to please make contact.

"A church gate collection will be held and other fundraising events are planned - but we need the help of people so that we can make it a success, not just Cobh, but for the whole of County Cork," added Edward.


EXTRA INFORMATION:

Ballymore Cycling and Touring Club was founded in the small village of Ballymore, two miles from Cobh town centre in 1943.

BCTC has been a constant presence on the roads of Ireland and further afield ever since.

There is a team of ten racing cyclists and also a large group of touring cyclists attached to the club.

COBH'S 2006 FBD RAS FACTS

- Stage 2, Monday 22nd May, Enniscorthy - Cobh, 180 Kms.

Enniscorthy, Clonroche, New Ross, Glenmore Category 3 KOM, Waterford, Dungarvan By-Pass, The Sweep Category 2 KOM, Youghal by-Pass, Youghal Category 3 KOM, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, Cobh.

- Depending on weather conditions the race should arrive in Cobh after 2.30pm.

- Riders will enter the Great Island over Bevelly Bridge, sweeping right towards Marino Point, Carrigaloe, Rushbrooke, Low Road, Westbourne Place, Pearce Square, before rising uphill at O'Rahilly Street, past Saint Colman's Cathedral before finishing at the Fire Station on Sandymount.

The next day the race will depart Cobh in the early morning and head to Dingle.

- Stage 3, Tuesday 23rd May, Cobh - An Daingean, 173Kms.

Cobh, Jack Lynch Tunnel, Macroom, Baile Mhic Ire, Baile Bhuirne, County Bounds Category 3 KOM, Glenflesk, Killarney, Fossa, Crohane Category 3 KOM, Faha, Milltown, Castlemaine, Boolteens, Inch, An Draighneain Category 3 KOM, An Bharog Bheag Category 3 KOM, Lios Póil, An Daingean.

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RAS RIDERS NEEDED FOR EARL OF DESMOND TEAM

Earl of Desmond / Tralee Bicycle Club is looking for riders (Senior 1) to complete a team for the FBD insurances Rás this year. A shortlist of potential riders for the team 'Kerry/Earl of Desmond Hotel' will be selected on the basis of last years' race results and experience of stage racing.

Accomodation, team (masseur, team car, etc) support is already organised. Enquiries to Michael Hall (Club Secretary) at 087 2795648.

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CYCLING LEINSTER TEAM FOR ST PATRICK’S CLASSIC

Cycling Leinster is expected to announce shortly the names of four riders selected for the Downpatrick Armagh St Patrick's Classic on March 19th.

The squad will comprise senior 2 and senior 3 riders. Contact JP at 086-8366288 for more information.

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CYCLING WEEKEND PROMOTED BY BALBRIGGAN CYCLING CLUB

Balbriggan cycling club have announced details of their programme of racing to be held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of April.

The Harry Reynolds Memorial will get things underway on the 1st. The riders will sign on at the Man O’War pub and compete over five laps of a 7 mile circuit. The race is open to seniors, juniors, veterans and women, with the first eight over the line plus the first two unplaced riders in each category being rewarded. The race start is at 4.30 pm and there will be refreshments after the race, courtesy of the Man O’War pub.

The following day the Ben McKenna & Jazzer Wherity Memorial Races will take place on an 18 mile circuit. Following sign-on at the Ring Common Sports Centre, the senior 1 and 2 riders will fight it out over four laps. The veterans and juniors will race over three laps, while the senior 3 and women competing in the Jazzer Wherity Memorial will do two laps.

An excellent prize list has been announced. Details are as follows:
Race 1: First 20 over the line, plus first 5 senior 2 riders.
Race 2: First 10 over the line, plus 1st & 2nd unplaced veterans & juniors
Race 3: First 10 over the line, plus first 5 women (separate prize list)

The first race will get underway at 11 am and there will be refreshments afterwards for all riders, compliments of Balbriggan Cycling Club