Aussie star O’Grady poised to put extra pep in Tour challenge

THE potential presence of Stuart O’Grady with Team CSC could add an exciting dimension to the inaugural Tour of Ireland (August 22-26).

The powerful Aussie may provide an interesting challenger for Maximiliano Richeze, of Ceramica Panaria-Navigare, particularly in the Tralee to Ennis and Athlone to Dublin stages which may develop into bunch finishes.

Richeze narrowly missed out on a stage victory when he was pipped by Alessandro Petacchi in the final stage of the Giro d’Italia in Milan and has had an amazing start to the season finishing on the podium in six stages of the Tour of Langkawi. He is confirmed to feature in the Irish tour.