THE withdrawal of Mark Scanlon from the FBD Insurance Rás due to illness came as a huge disappointment to debutant Irish rider Bryan Keane.

JULIAN WINN, a former winner of the FBD Insurance Rás, will have a powerful new ally when he bids for a second title on Sunday week, with Yanto Barker an exciting addition to the Wales Stena team.

THE FBD Insurance Rás has been further boosted with the news that former winner Julian Winn is set to lead a strong Wales Stena Line team and confirmation that Estonia, who have figured prominently in previous years, will also join the line-up next month.

Ireland's Ciaran Power came 13th in the men's raod race in Athens today.

DAVID McCANN finally got just reward for his endeavours all week when he won yesterday’s marathon fourth stage of the FBD Milk Rás that took the riders from Charleville to Caherciveen with a first brief but testing visit to the Kerry mountains.

DAVID O’LOUGHLIN and David McCann are hitting top form but Irish team manager Frank Campbell yesterday said this year’s FBD Milk Rás will be the toughest yet for Irish riders.

DAVID O’LOUGHLIN aims to enhance his prospects of making the Irish Olympic cycling team with a podium finish in next week’s FBD Milk Rás.