PRESS RELEASE

YANTO BARKER IN FOR WALES STENA LINE TEAM.

The Wales Stena team for the FBD Insurance RÁS which gets underway from the GPO next Sunday week has been considerably strengthened with the news that the country’s most promising young rider, Yanto Barber, has obtained a late release from his team DFL and will now take his place alongside former winner Julian Winn as co-leader.

Keith Butler -popular Team Surrey manager.

Barker has figured prominently in all the top British races so far this year so his form suggests that a position in the favourites bracket for overall honours will not be mis-placed. Barker takes the place of Lewys Hobbs.

On the home front the Irish national team suffered a set-back when Paul Griffin was forced to cry off because contractual problems with his trade team, Giant. Griffin had targeted the RÁS and his forced withdrawal is a devastating blow to his hopes for a top three finish. Howver, while Griffin’s experience will be a lost to the Irish team the selectors were very fortunate in Stephen Gallagher obtaining a release from his Belgium Flanders-Ain.com team to contest the big Irish event.

Gallagher will be a huge asset to top pro, Mark Scanlon, as he attempts to add his home tour to his growing list of achievements with his AG2R, Prevoyance team. Gallagher and Scanlon are firm friends and regular training partners in the hurly-burly of continental cycling.

The other three riders on the Irish team are excellent riders and should Scanlon or Gallagher be marked out of the race then Brian Keane, Paudi O’Brien and Conor Murphy are capable of snatching a win for Ireland.

Stena Ferry Line is the official maritime carrier for the race