Stephen Roche lobbying for Tour of Ireland return

Ireland will host the opening three stages of the 2014 Giro d'Italia and Irish cycling legend Stephen Roche is hoping the country can use the momentum it will gain to bring life back into the defunct Tour of Ireland. Roche conceded that the visit by the Tour de France to Ireland for the Grand Départ in 1998 did little to spark long term growth for Irish Cycling, he remained adamant nonetheless, that with a different set of circumstances the country is now better prepared to profit from a Grand Tour visit.