It’s still more than two weeks away but accommodation in the West Cork town of Clonakilty is already virtually booked out amid feverish preparations for the arrival of a major race which will bring more than 400 visitors to the town.

Six days after the Union Cycliste International (UCI) suspended their defamation case against author and journalist Paul Kimmage, the Irishman launched a counter-case of his own last night against UCI president Pat McQuaid and former UCI president Hein Verbruggen, accusing the pair of slander/defamation, denigration and “strong suspicions of fraud”.

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.