Michelle Geoghegan has admitted to feeling apprehensive ahead of her second appearance in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday.

The Kerry-born Orwell rider is back in mainland Europe with the Dutch-based Moving Ladies squad for a second season of full-time continental racing but a recent bout of illness means she is not optimistic of repeating her fine debut performance in the Omloop of 12 months ago.

On her first appearance on the fabled cobbled climbs of the Flanders region she finished best of her team in 39th place, a position that would have been even higher had she not got caught up in a crash towards the end.

However, her greatly enhanced experience of the fast moving European bunches this time round is offset by a recent bout of ‘flu which placed her participation in jeopardy until today.

“I’m riding but I’ve been sick all week so God knows how it’ll go,” says the 2009 Women’s Classic League winner. “I’m not sure ‘cause I’ve spent the week just trying to breathe so we will see.

“It’s been freezing since I got here and I think it’s supposed to lash rain so whoop, whoop, slippy cobbles!”

Despite this week’s health setback Geoghegan remains upbeat following another busy winter training programme under the guidance of Paddy Doran and a recent training camp in Lanzarote.

Geoghegan, who has ridden in an Irish jersey at several international events in the last two seasons, is included in the latest Irish Elite squad recently announced by Cycling Ireland.