Kerry Group Rás Mumhan champion Mark Dowling has played down his chances of repeating his heroics of 12 months ago when the race rolls out of Killorglin on Friday.

Team Sky has announced the signing of Irishman Nicolas Roche as one of five new names for 2015.

Defending champion Chris Froome has abandoned the 2014 Tour de France after a third crash in two days.

The route of the 2014 Tour de France, which begins in Britain, includes five mountain finishes and just one individual time-trial, organisers announced this morning.

Cycling’s prestigious Giro d’Italia will begin in Ireland next year, organisers confirmed today.