Sterling Magnell U.S.A.

A week after the announcement that the Australian Drapac Professional team and the New Zealand national squad will be competing in this year’s An Post Rás, the third international team has been confirmed for the world-ranked event.

The Los Angeles-based Wonderful Pistachios pro squad will travel from the US for the Sunday May 22nd start of the race, and is determined to ride well. Team director Josh Horowitz competed in the event ten years ago and said that he is very much looking forward to bringing his riders to the well-known contest.

“In 2001, the Rás was my first international racing experience as a neo pro and to this day it is still my favourite stage race,” he enthused. “I really like this race for the Wonderful Pistachios team because our roster consists of strong, gritty riders who will excel at the kind of in-the-gutter, on-the-rivet riding that the Rás has to offer. I think they will bring a lot of energy and excitement to the race.”

Thomas Faiers U.S.A.

The lineup is yet to be finalised but Horowitz names the two leaders of the team. “Tom Faiers raced the Pro Tour last year with Footon Cervetto and brings a wealth of talent and experience to the squad,” he said.  “Neil Coleman is a two time UK national time trial champion and at 6'4" he can not be missed in the pack.”

Faiers’ entry into international racing is particularly interesting. At 18 years of age, the-then triathlete went to a training camp in Murcia in order to improve his cycling fitness. One day while out training, he met Spanish professionals Alejandro Valverde and Luis Leon Sanchez, and impressed them by staying with them in the hills. They encouraged him to compete in Spain, and so he moved to the country.

He raced with the Footon-Servetto ProTour team last season but didn’t compete much due to heart irregularities. These have now been corrected and he is raring to prove what he can do.

Horowitz will choose the remainder of the five man line-up from a list of eight riders. These include the sprinter Sterling Magnell, a former Rock Racing rider who won the 2008 Downers Avenue Classic Criterium, the all-rounder Alexi Martinez, a past under 23 winner of the Valley of the Sun race, former BMX national champion Eric Bennett and Mount Hamilton Classic winner Taylor Bertrand Barrett.

The line-up will be finalised closer to the eight day event.

Eric Bennett U.S.A.

Race director Dermot Dignam is looking forward to seeing the team racing on Irish roads. “Ten years after Josh took part in the race, it’s great to see him return with his own team. There will be a large number of overseas squads and this one will add to the international flavour of the 2011 event.

Horowitz says that the team is determined to do well. “I am incredibly grateful to the race organizers for extending us this invitation,” he said. “We are a new team and unproven at the international level but I think as the season progresses we are going to attract a lot of fans.”

The 2011 An Post Rás will begin in Dunboyne on Sunday May 22nd and will feature stage finishes in Portumna, Kilrush, Castleisland, Castletownbere, Blarney, Tramore, Kildare and Skerries. The tough route includes 29 categorised climbs, of which three are first category ascents, plus eight days of racing and a total of 1247 kilometres.

It is the first edition to be sponsored by An Post. More strong teams will be announced in the near future.

For further details log-on to;                   www.anpostras.com