For more than seven decades, Bohermeen Cycling Club has strived and succeeded in keeping this traditional event to the forefront of the racing calendar, and so a huge turnout is expected to arrive on the start line from all corners of the country.

The Stamullen M Donnelly club will have very high hopes of a victory, with Craig Sweetman ? second in the recent Newbridge Grand Prix ? the most likely contender for the Waller Cup in the Senior A race, although he will face stiff competition from last year?s winner Scott McDonald, among others.

The likes of Peter Hawkins, Greg Swinand and Neil Delahaye could also be in contention going into the closing stages.

Stamullen will have a very strong representation in the Senior B race too and any one of their riders are well capable of a victory in that category, especially with Colin Robinson (who has recorded two wins to date), Matt Kelly and Simon Mulvany who have also been in the prizes recently.

These men will have plenty of local company in this race with Robert Moore, Frank O'Connor, Michael Elliott, Alan Clogher, David Molloy and Chris O'Hare all competing, while Mick Nulty will carry the club colours in the Veterans race.

Drogheda Wheelers supporters will also be out in force to support their ever-improving Conor Campbell, who is now a first year Junior and is settling well into his new category.

The Senior A race, which starts at 1pm, will be contested over seven laps of a local 10-mile circuit and it will be followed by the Senior B even over six laps.

After that, the Juniors and Veterans will leave the start line and cover five laps, followed by the Senior 3 race over four laps and finally the Ladies race ? incorporate the second round of the National League ? also over four laps.

The sign-on and dressing accommodation for the various races will be located in McHugh's pub.

Meanwhile, the eagerly awaited racing season for Youth riders begins at 11am on Sunday in Bohermeen, with a multitude of young cyclists from North East clubs in action.

Drogheda Wheelers will be anxious to see how twins Daragh and Ciaran Campbell perform as these young boys have stepped up to Under-14 level this year, while the very talented Benner Maguire ? competing as a second-year Under-16 rider ? could well pull off an early-season win.

Stamullen M Donnelly will be heading to Bohermeen full of enthusiasm for their star rider Javan Nulty, son of former Rás winner Colm. Since Javan catapulted onto the scene, he has scored a number of victories and he could well open his 2008 season account on Sunday.

Over the Easter weekend, three separate three/four-day events took place across the country, again with plenty of local interest.

The Tour of the North got under way from Stormont on Good Friday and Stamullen M Donnelly?s Chris O'Hare was most unfortunate to break his chain in the opening road stage on Easter Saturday.

All eight of his teammates finished in the main bunch on this tough 70-mile stage into Ballymena, County Antrim.

Elsewhere, in the Bertoni Gorey three-day race, also taking place over the weekend, Conor Campbell (Drogheda Wheelers) finished in the chasing group of 25 riders into Gorey on Saturday's opening stage ? a remarkable performance from this young rider.