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Rás an Turcaí

Carraroe Co. Galway December 28 2003

Power turns it on

By Shane Stokes, Irishcycling.com

Ireland's Ciarán Power (Navigators) showed he is on course for his target of a strong early season campaign in Australia and Europe when he dominated the Rás an Turcaí held in Carraroe, Co. Galway Sunday. Run off in cold, wet conditions, the six-lap event nevertheless attracted a field of 89 riders plus 56 underage competitors, a fine achievement for a midwinter contest.

Power's compatriot and Ag2R-Prévoyance professional, Mark Scanlon, had been expected to make the trip from Sligo for the race but is currently sidelined with a rib injury. He, like Power, is due to get his 2004 season underway in next month's Tour Down Under in Australia and so it is hoped that he will recover quickly from the problem.

"I was very happy with how I was going yesterday, it was a good indicator," said Power. "I had only done one day of training since coming back from the Olympic training camp in Spain as I was starting to get sick. I had thought it was wisest to back off for a few days and recover rather than to keep training away and risk being ill for longer. I went yesterday not knowing what to expect but I was very surprised. I felt fantastic, really good.

"I think I am going much better than last year," he added. "It is a pity Mark wasn't able to race, it would have been good to see how the two of us would compare, although I know his goals are for later in the season."

Power had plenty of praise for the directors of the recent training camp in Spain, Martin O'Loughlin and Padraig Marrey. "The training camp in Spain was brilliant, really well organised," he said. "I have three weeks before I start racing so I will use that time to sharpen up a bit. I have loads of power and endurance but haven't done any speed work yet. Australia should bring me on and hopefully I will be going really well in February and March."

Results - 60 km

Men

1 Ciarán Power (Navigators)                  2.12.26
2 David O’Loughlin (Ofoto Lombardi Sports)      1.10
3 Mick Walsh (Saturn Seattle)                   2.40
4 Simon Kelly (Galway Bay)             
5 Cathal Keane (Galway Bay)                     3.43
6 Bobby Behan (Cycleways Lee Strand)   
7 Mark Nestor (Shannonside)                     4.10
8 Padraig Marrey (Western Lakes)       

Veterans

1 Hughie Nestor (unattached)
2 Gerard Hack (unattached)

Women

1 Ashling Daly (unattached)
2 Roseanne Dunne (unattached)

Touring

1 Jim McCullagh (unattached)
2 John Behan (Club Rothaíochta Chonamara)
3 Larry Kelly (Galway Bay CC)

Junior

1 Sean McDonagh (Club Rothaíochta Chonamara)

Local results 2003

January	February	March
April	May	June
July	August	September
October	November	December