Power faces elite field in Rás bid

THE enormity of the task confronting Ireland’s Ciaran Power in his bid to become only the third man in history to retain the FBD Milk Rás title became clear yesterday when race director, Dermot Duignam, revealed an international line-up that includes Kazakhstan, one of the superpowers in world cycling.

Power, who won the title in 1998 and again last year, has been released by the Navigators professional team to defend the title and should he retain it, he will join Rás legend Seamus O'Hanlon, who won three-in-a-row back in the 1960's, and Paul McCormack, who won back-to-back titles in the 1980's, as the only men to retain the most coveted title in Irish cycling. Since being awarded UCI points status, the annual showpiece has become the target of many nations in their bid to improve their world rankings.

As well as the might of Kazakhstan, the Irish national squad which includes another former winner, Tommy Evans, and David O'Loughlin who finished 16th in last week's Tour of Georgia will have to contend with the power and speed of top class professional teams from Sweden, South Africa, Australia, the US and national and regional teams from Germany, Denmark, Britain and Wales.

Team HSBC will travel from South Africa while the Australian Team Down Under will continue their European campaign by taking in Ireland's cycling showpiece. Sportsbook.com, a new American professional team, will take on its first major assignment in Europe to reinforce the trans-Atlantic link.

The Irish team, sponsored by the Irish Sports Council, is built around Power and also includes former winner Evans who is enjoying a new lease of life in France. David O'Loughlin is a competitor who has promised so much in the past but, on foot of his performances in the US recently, he could be about to deliver.

Also included is the teak tough Clare man, Vincent Gleeson, who has to be the most improved cyclist in the country this season following his dominance of the early season programme, and Andrew Donnellan.

The eight days of racing will take in major King of the Mountain climbs including Slieve Bloom on the opening day, ahead of the Donegal mountains. Thrilling stage finishes are anticipated in Roscrea, Clifden, Ballina, Letterkenny, Buncrana, Donegal Town and Oldcastle before the finale in the Phoenix Park on May 25.