Mix of youth and experience for Skoda Ireland team

Peter Hawkins, Ireland

18^th May 2011. The Skoda Ireland team for the 2011 AN Post Rás was announced today. It will be led by experienced Rás campaigner Paul Griffin, while three U23 riders, Sean Downey, Felix English and Belgian based duo, Conor Dunne and Peter Hawkins complete the squad.

Performance Director Phil Leigh outlined the make up of the team. “Griffin will be the team captain, and as a recent stage winner in the tough Rás Munham in Kerry over Easter he is looking forward to passing on his vast knowledge of the Rás to the younger riders.”

“Apart from Griffin it is a young team that is still developing. We have three U23 riders and two of them, English and Dunne, are first year U23’s. English, who also rides the track, is a double stage winner from the Junior Tour of Ireland last year. While Dunne will be making his debut in Ireland” Leigh added.

Dunne, who is based in Belgium, gave a solid account of himself in the recent Nations Cup events (Tour of Flanders and ZLM Tour).

Sean Downey, Ireland

Leigh also hopes that two previous Rás riders will have a big say on this year’s race. “Sean Downey is another rider who acquitted himself well in Europe recently and is racing mainly in France this year. He rode his first Rás in 2009, and is keen to step up and have an impact on the race this year. Peter Hawkins, another previous Rás rider, has a number of top 10 finishes in Belgium to his name this year and was top 15 in the Lincoln GP last weekend.”

He then outlined the team’s objectives for this year’s race “Objectives for the race will include top 10’s and podium places along with opportunities to take leaders jerseys. For some of the younger riders it is their first major stage race and an ideal opportunity to learn to ride within a team environment. It is a strong field again this year but we are looking to leave our mark on the race”.

The team will be managed by ex Pro Neil Martin who is keen to see the riders learn and be competitive at this level.

ENDS

Skoda Ireland team for An Post Rás:

1. Paul Griffin
2. Peter Hawkins
3. Sean Downey
4. Felix English
5. Conor Dunne