Team Isle of Man – Microgaming’s senior and junior cycling teams have a hectic Easter weekend of racing ahead of them. Starting on Good Friday the seniors will be contesting the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan four day international race, the final consideration race for 2011 Island Games selection. With rider interest in the road team for this year’s Island Games higher than ever, the Microgaming sponsored national team has had to field two teams of four riders. Tour of the North winner Andrew Roche, Tour of the Middle winner Christian Varley, Graeme Hatcher and Marty Warren form the ‘A’ team while Aaron Livsey, Darren Bell, Colum O’Shea and James Smettem make up the ‘B’ team. The ‘queen’ stage of the race is undoubtedly the 130km second stage which finishes on the fearsome Conor Pass. The hill top finish climbs 450 metres in three miles with an average gradient of 18%. It will surely have a bearing on who will be wearing yellow on Easter Monday. The stages of this year’s tour are relatively short with the 142km third stage being the longest. This usually makes for a more aggressive approach from riders and coupled with the narrow, undulating roads around Dingle will be the team’s first big test of the season. Gary Hinds, Team Isle of Man – Microgaming manager for the Kerry tour, said: “This is one of the strongest teams put together outside of the Commonwealth Games and we will be looking to have an effect on the overall outcome of the race. Although we appreciate that riders are still looking to gain selection for the Island Games everyone is committed to getting a result for the team.” Meanwhile, the junior team also heads for Ireland for the Gorey Three Day. The race starts on Easter Saturday and is made up of four stages and is open to third and fourth category senior riders as well as juniors. Team Isle of Man-Microgaming has a good track record in this event with Tim Kennaugh taking the overall win in 2009 and Tom Black finishing second on GC the same year. Both riders also won stages. This year’s Team Isle of Man – Microgaming squad is Warwick Sanderson, Tom Mazzone, Tim Cole and Alex Haddock. Team manager Gary Mazzone said: “The lads have shown improved form over recent weeks in the build up to the Youth tour here on the Isle of Man. We will be looking to build on the progress made and keep up the strong showing of Isle of Man teams over at Gorey.” - ENDS -