|
2023 Additional International Teams Confirmed for 2023 Rás Tailteann England – Cycling Sheffield Cycling Sheffield is arguably one of the most successful cycling teams in the UK. The team’s focus remains on progressing riders careers by providing a professional and nurturing team environment as evidenced by some high profile results in the British Cycling National Series. In the past, the team was home to Connor Swift, who went on to become British Road Champion and race at Pro Continental level with Team Arkéa Samsic. The team race at regional, national and international level, travelling to races across the UK and Europe and are very much looking forward to returning to An Rás Tailteann in 2023. Team Principal Dave Coulson indicated that “the team has a great race program for 2023, with the Rás being one of the highlights. The level of organisation is very high, and there’s always fantastic engagement from the public as the race moves from town to town”. Building towards the Rás, Cycling Sheffield will be competing in the British Cycling National U23 Series, a number of the UCI races in the UK and Europe followed by the Lincoln GP. The team will undoubtedly be competitive again in 2023 following their impressive performances during the 2022 Rás Tailteann. ISLE OF MAN - CC Isle of Man An Rás Tailteann has welcomed riders from the Isle of Man to many editions of the race. The most famous cycling progeny being Mark Cavendish and of course former winner of An Rás Tailteann in 1997, Andrew Roche who won a fiercely contested event that year. The Isle of Man team returns in 2023 after marking their competitive debut on Irish roads in 2022. The team will be managed by Conor Davies, who notes the team as “enjoying some success in 2022 with several top-10 finishes despite the challenging nature of the race. We are hoping to build on that success this year”. With that in mind, CC Isle of Man are bringing back two of their top performers in 2023 – Corrin Leeming & Mark Horsthuis. Three new additions complete the team in Jamie Fletcher, Ralph Holden and Irishman Marcus Christie who last participated in An Rás Tailteann in 2016. Race Director Gerard Campbell commented “we always look forward to welcoming the Isle of Man team back to An Rás and this is no different for 2023. We all look forward to watching how the newest generation of riders animate the race this year”. London Irish – Foran CCC Foran Race Team was set up in 2019 to support developing riders and give them opportunities to compete on the UK and Irish competitive circuits. Supported by Foran Construction in South London, the squad have developed year-on-year, bringing on new talent ready to target races with real depth. Offering a blend of experience and freshness, the team seeks to build on previous successes in Ireland, including at Rás Mumhan in 2023 where Dominic Jackson finished 5th on general classification. This team, headed up by Paul Lavelle and Tom Quaid, commented “our team is very excited to return to the 2023 running of An Rás Tailteann. We are returning with some members of last year’s team, and have added some new additions to ensure we are well positioned to compete for stage wins and add our names to the incredible history of this race”. Ger Campbell race director added “we are excited to welcome the London Irish – Foran CCC team to the 2023 Rás and we look forward to watching their progress during the week”. The Route The 68th edition of the race will take place between May 17th-21st and will travel clockwise around Ireland with stage finishes in Birr, Ennis, Castlebar and Monaghan before starting the final stage to a finishing circuit in the seaside town of Blackrock, Co. Louth. Riders will cover 768km with 14 categorised climbs which will act as a platform for attacking riders to battle it out for the coveted Rás yellow jersey. Cáirde Rás Tailteann Gerard Campbell, Seamus Domegan, Pat O’Shaughnessy, Colm Rigley, Eugene Moriarty, Leonard McManus Media Contact Details Gerard Campbell - Race Director – 086 8192205 Email - info@rasireland.ie Web - www.rasireland.ie |
