PRESS RELEASE.

COUNTDOWN TO A RECORD FBD INSURANCE RÁS

The FBD Insurance RÁS 8 Day International Cycle Race gets underway from Dublin’s GPO next Sunday when a record-breaking field of 200 cyclists from Ireland, Estonia, Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, Canada, Netherlands, USA, Britain, Scotland and Wales face the starter in what will be an intriguing battle of stamina, speed and mountain climbing ability before a victor is crowned in the beautiful surrounds of the Phoenix Park on Sunday 29^th May.

The indomitable Philip Cassidy Meath cycleways.com

From the start of racing at the Malahide Roundabout on the Swords by-pass it will be all systems go for the 200 super-fit cyclists in this the 53^rd edition of this great international and national event.  Due to lead the Irish team is top professional, former World Junior Champion and Tour de France rider, Sligoman Mark Scanlon, ably supported by Stephen Gallagher, Brian Keane, Paudi O’Brien and Conor Murphy. However, there is a troubling concern about Mark Scanlon as he is undergoing tests for a suspected infection that may force him to miss the race. Seventeen county teams will also be in the line-up and it is the riders on these teams that make the race a world-renowned highly competitive event. Showing scant regard for the big names on the international teams the county riders attack and counter attack resulting in a fiercely fought competition over the 8 days of the race.

In an anti-clockwise course around the centre of the country the top class field, which includes seventeen county teams, will cover over eleven hundred kilometres with fiercely contested stage finishes in Emyvale, Tubbercurry, Lisdoonvarna Templemore, Abbeyleix, Rathdrum, Wicklow Town, and, of course, the Phoenix Park. This will be first time in the 53 year history of this great event for Emyvale, Templemore, and Rathdrum to experience all the thrills, excitement and drama of a stage finish. The colourful spectacle of 200 international cyclists sprinting on the main street for a coveted stage finish victory will be eagerly awaited by the sports-loving people in all the stage-end towns.

The irrepressible Tommy Evans, riding with Planet X team

Twentyone major mountain climbs will have a huge bearing on the destination of final honours. Gradually building in severity from the very first day with the Category 3 ascent of Tully Esker the premier climbs come on stage 5 with The Crag outside Urlingford, The Butts on the Carlow/Kilkenny border. Stage 7 features three premiers on the way to Wicklow Town, the tortuous Slieveman up from Glenmalure followed by Sally Gap and Lugalla. However,

The challenge facing the Irish contingent is greatly increased this year with the inclusion of six continental (professional) teams and six top of the range teams from the USA., Representing the paid ranks will be Norway’s Sparebanken Vest, Canada’s Jet fuel Coffee, Estonia’s Kalev Chocolate, Nertherland’s B&E Cycling, Elmarco KK Cube from the Czech Republic and the powerful British Recycling.co.uk.  The British quintet includes two former winners of the RÁS, Paul Manning and Chris Newton. Four other former winners will also be in the line-up, the redoubtable Philip Cassidy who joins up with his son, Mark, on the Meath cycleways.co team, Tommy Evans riding with his British-based Planet X team, which also includes last year’s Points classification winner, the ever-green Malcolm Elliott. Team Wales Stena line features 2000 winner, Julian Winn, and Andrew Roche will attempt a repeat of his 1997 win riding with the Tipperary Worldwide Cycles squad.

The seventeen county teams contain an abundance of talent with a number of riders on the threshold of greatness. Paul Healion, Stephen O’Sullivan, Eugene Moriarty, Bill Moore, John Dempsey, Philip Finegan, Denis Lynch and Brian Truman all possess the capabilities of springing a surprise and joining the coveted RÁS winners category.

Simon McNamara East England Angliasport

The British team Fujibikes will take the place of France’s Team EC Raismes which had to cry off because of injury problems to two of their riders.