Martyn Irvine to return to action at Tour of Portugal

World track cycling champion Martyn Irvine is preparing to return to international competition less than four and a half months after fracturing his femur in a crash.

Irvine suffered the injury while taking part in the Tour of Taiwan in March.

The 27-year-old will fly to Lisbon as part of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling team on Monday, with the Portugal race starting two days later.

Irvine's deal with the team is due to expire at the end of the season.

The squad has not yet indicated if it wishes to extend that contract but Portugal and the subsequent Tour of Alberta will give him the opportunity to show what he can do.

The Newtownards man crashed about 50km into Thursday's stage of the Tour of Taiwan.

Track star Irvine is also competing in road events for the American UnitedHealthcare team this season.

Irvine, 27, became the first Irishman to win a World Track Championship cycling gold medal in 117 years in Belarus last month.earlier this year.

The Northern Ireland man followed his silver medal in the individual pursuit event by taking gold in the 15K scratch race.