Power in pursuit of elusive Irish title

CIARAN POWER arrived back in Ireland in ample time to challenge Mark Scanlon for the national cycling championship title in Sligo tomorrow when the defending champion will have the advantage of hometown support and local knowledge in his defence of the title.

Power arrived back in Ireland from the USA on Thursday and while his wife, Lisa, and their son Keegan, went home to Waterford he travelled from Shannon to Galway to meet up with former international, Michael McNena, and travel to Sligo to go over the route in advance of the race.

The Waterford cyclist has won the FBD Milk Ras twice. He rode in the Sydney Olympics and, this year, he won two stages in the Ras. He also boasts a top six placing in the Giro d’Italia but the one title he craves for is the national championships.