Home boost as Power takes on Rás invaders

HOPES of wresting the FBD Insurance RÁS title back from England’s Chris Newton got a major boost yesterday with news that two-time winner Ciaran Power is making a dramatic return on O’Connell Street on May 21 to lead the Dan Morrissey/Tipperary team.

The Waterford man has a spectacular record in the race. He won in 1998 and 2002, and when he last took part two years ago won stages into Ballina and Oldcastle and finished second in the points classification.

After that he made his second appearance in the Olympics, finishing 13th in the Athens Road Race, and went on to ride with the Jersey-based professional Navigators team.