USA - Good Guys Racing Team
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| Cormac Daly USA Good Guys RC |
Reaffirming the appeal of An Rás Tailteann to the international cycling community. It is a testament to the stature of the race that again welcomes a team from the USA. This year the USA – Good Guys Racing Team, based out of the heart of New York City travels over the Atlantic Ocean specially to lay down its challenge for honours in the 2022 event.
What started as a self-described modest team, has quickly evolved into one of the powerhouses of Road Racing in the North Eastern Corner of USA. In 2021, Good Guys Racing competed in The US Criterium Series all across the United States, against top professional teams.
This year Good Guys Racing and it’s women's team equivalent, Good Gals Racing have been on the podium weekly, a good omen in their preparations for coming to Ireland. Their team leader is Kerryman Cormac Daly who has resided in the USA over a number of years. Cormac is former Irish A3 National Road race Champion and was recently crowned New York State Road Race Champion amongst a very strong field. He is joined by another Irish sporting hero and Olympian Cathal Moynihan, who guests with the team and brings a wealth of experience to draw on.
Ger Campbell race director was quoted “We are very happy to welcome this team all the way from the USA. Continuing the connection An Rás has had with our North American friends over many, many years. There is no doubt that this team will add to the flavour of the 2022 edition.” He added “it will be interesting to watch when these guys will put their mark on the 2022 event as they make the transition from preparations orbiting Central Park to the hills in Castleisland”
Team Member and coordinator Mike Tan expressed his excitement about travelling to compete in An Rás “Cormac has told us about what an historic race this is, we are delighted and feel privileged to take part, we just can’t wait!” he added “We are used to fast flat courses so we expect those days to suit us perfectly, especially on day 1 into Horse and Jockey in Tipperary, though the rolling hills of Ireland are sure to be a challenge not just for us, but the entire peloton”
The team line-up includes:
Cormac Daly
Michael Tan
Vince Rhino
Cathal Moynihan
Will Hackman
England Embark - Bikestrong
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| Joe Rees England Embark - Bikestrong |
Embark-Bikestrong are a British Cycling Elite Development Team, formed in 2018 with the purpose of supporting up and coming riders with the goal of growing into a team capable of racing at the highest level of competition in the UK. This goal has been achieved very quickly with inclusion in the domestic Tour Series, proving a real baptism of fire but also firing the teams' ambition for more.
Advancing to be a full Tour Series team in 2019, they attracted more attention and riders enabling the transition to an Elite Development Team in 2021, racing across the British Cycling National Series. Moving into 2022 the team has ambitions to build further on its status.
According to Mitch Wilcox “the opportunity to compete in An Rás Tailteann is something that the team is really, really excited about. It is our biggest stage race, certainly our first proper International one to travel to” he added “even though we are aware of the history and reputation of the event, we fully intend to be pushing up the front of the race as much as possible”
The team roster is composed of riders with a good mix of skills and rider type.
Ger Campbell race director noted “this teams roster offers a mix of youth and experience as well as a range of attributes. It will be interesting to observe the team work, ethos and spirit. 3 of the team are current U23 riders with the others not much older so this is an opportunity for them to develop as stage racers, experiencing racing in a different country, at a different level and with teams they are not familiar with”
The team line-up includes:
Joe Rees
Sam Tillett
Jamieson Blain
Jesse Yates
James Alexander
London Irish – Foran CCC
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| Tobias Dahlhaus London Irish - Foran CCC |
Foran Race Team was set up in 2019 with the idea of supporting developing riders and giving them opportunities to compete in the UK and Irish race scenes.
Supported by Foran Construction in South London, the squad have developed year on year, bringing on new talent ready to target races with real depth. Offering a blend of experience and freshness, the team seeks to build on previous successes in Ireland, including at Rás Mumhan, Tour of Ulster and Charleville 2-Day in 2019 and 2021. With Rás Mumhan 2022 in the bank, tackling an Rás Tailteann is high on the team’s list of priorities for this year.
This team, headed up by Paul Lavelle and Tom Quaid, commented “our team is very excited to be coming to Ireland, to race one of the cycling world's most unique and storied international stage races” he added “while it is always intimidating to line up at the start of such a race, the stories and legends of the Rás in particular illustrate just how important this event is and we are eager to hit the start line”
Ger Campbell race director noted “we are excited to welcome the London Irish – Foran CCC team to the 2022 Rás and we look forward to watching their progress during the week”
The team line-up includes:
Thomas Quaid
Tobias Dahlhaus
Thomas Springbett
Joseph Murray
Monte Guerrini
The Route
The 67th edition of the race will again travel clockwise around Ireland with stage finishes in Horse and Jockey, Castleisland, Lisdoonvarna, Kilbeggan, before starting the final stage in Kinnegad to the finishing circuit in seaside town of Blackrock, Co. Louth. Riders will cover 756km with 8 categorised climbs which will act as a platform for attacking riders to battle it out for the coveted Rás yellow jersey.
Media Contact Details
Gerry Campbell - Race Director – 086 8192205
Email - info@rasireland.ie
Web - www.rasireland.ie
