Irish professional rider Daniel Martin (Garmin-Transitions) continued his winning ways by taking a splendid victory at the 1.1 ranked Tre Valli Varesine race in Italy earlier today.

In the lead-up to the FBD Insurance Rás which starts on Sunday May 23 and runs until Sunday May 30, breakingnews.ie gives you a run-down of the basics of professional cycling.

PHILIP DEIGNAN’S performances to date in the Tour of Germany would indicate he has hit form at precisely the right time in advance of the Tour of Ireland professional cycle race which gets underway with an exciting stage from Kilkenny to Cork tomorrow week.

JAN ULLRICH believes six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's decision to quit after this year's race in July has set up a classic confrontation.

Brendan Mooney

PAT McQUAID, now one of the most powerful cycling administrators in the world, has come to the defence of Stephen Roche in what he has described as an attempt to besmirch the Tour de France winner's character.

LANCE ARMSTRONG came within seconds of losing the race leader’s yellow jersey on the 14th stage of the Tour de France yesterday after a gruelling 191.5km of riding between St Girons and Loudonvielle.