Michael Singer KTM Junkers

One week after the Danish-registered Designa Køkken team was announced as heading to the race, another strong overseas squad has been confirmed as taking part in this year’s FBD Insurance Rás. The Continental (pro)-level Team Arbo KTM Junkers will line out in the prestigious 2.2-ranked Irish tour in May aiming for an impressive showing in the eight-day event.

The team will be led by the 24 year old Czech Jan Barta, a past national under 23 road race champion who took two victories in Austrian events last season. Also on the team are Michael Singer (22), a multiple Austrian road and track championship medallist, Robert Gaszmayr (24), Josef Kugler (24) plus Hannes Gründlinger (31) who previously competed for several seasons with the Elk Haus – Simplon team.

“Barta is our captain, and will play a big role in the general classification,” said the team in a statement. “Singer is a track rider in the national team of Austria, Gaszmayr is a team player with important functions in the race and Kugler has won the bronze medal in the military world championships with the Austrian National team 2006.”

Josef Kugler KTM Junkers

KTM Junkers became a Continental (pro) team in 2007 and has developed well since then. Its first big overseas event was the 2.1 Tour of Hainan last year, where Barta was fifth in the prologue and finished a solid 19th overall. The team also picked up four other top-ten placings there.

The riders are particularly keen to have a good showing in the FBD Insurance Rás as it is the first time for an Austrian team to travel to the race.

“We are looking forward to it, because it’s a really new experience for us,” said the team statement. “We know that we will also have the condition to get in breakaways and also have a chance in the general classification.”

Sport director Oskar Hauser said that his riders will be determined to leave their mark on the race. “We know that the other teams will be really strong, but everybody will give one hundred percent to his role.”

Arbo KTM Junkers has already began its build-up, riding the Porec Trophy and the Istrian Spring Trophy in Croatia last month and honing its form. 

The 2009 FBD Insurance Rás will begin in Kilcullen on May 17th and run for eight days. The world-ranked contest will be 1289 kilometres in length, includes over twenty categorised climbs, and features stage finishes in Wexford, Cobh, Cahirciveen, Killorglin, Scariff, Castlebar, Clara and Skerries.

More news is expected soon on some of the other strong teams which will be taking part.

For further details: Dermot Dignam 087 2459562