Ireland’s Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin both preserved their high overall placings in the Vuelta a Espana yesterday and look well poised to strike for the race lead today.

Hopefully now with the new sponsor, it’ll increase the chances of getting to that level and give me time to develop because I’m still young.

One of the country’s brightest young talents, Ryan Mullen, has set himself some lofty goals this year with a gold medal in the World Championships in September top of his priority list.

THIS year’s Tour of Ireland international cycle race has been cancelled due to “financial difficulties” but the organisers are already making plans for its return in 2011.