With the start of the FBD Insurance Rás now less than two months away, race organiser Dermot Dignam has announced the identity of the first of several UCI-ranked Continental teams expected to take part in the race.

Ondrej Lukes

The Czech Republic - AC Sparta Praha team have been confirmed for the start in Naas on Sunday May 20^th, and will be trying to improve upon the performances posted by compatriots Czech Republic – Elmarco KK Cube in 2005.

Two years ago, Rostislav Krotky finished 6^th on stage five into Abbeyleix and also posted placings of 10^th, 11^th and 11^th en route to a solid 14^th place overall. Martin Snizek was also a fine fourth in the best young rider rankings.

Krotky is now riding for the AC Sparta Praha team, one of the biggest in the country, and is expected to return once again to the race.  The 30 year old will draw upon his broad experience as he tries to land a stage win or a high overall placing in the prestigious Irish tour, which is ranked 2.2 on the UCI international calendar. The full lineup of the team will be confirmed closer to the event.

“This is one of the top pro teams in the Czech Republic and we are expecting great things from them,” said Dignam this week. “They will be coming with their sights set on being the first team from that country to win the FBD Insurance Rás.”

Tomas Hurby

The race director is expected to announce further details of the foreign line-up in the weeks ahead. He is confident that the standard will be very high. “I would expect most of the teams coming to this year’s race will either be UCI Continental teams or national squads. There is great strength in depth in these teams and the Irish riders will be up against it.”

The 2007 FBD Insurance Rás will get underway on Sunday May 20^th with a 157 kilometre stage from Naas to Templemore. The riders will cover almost 1200 kilometres of highly competitive racing as they travel anti-clockwise around the country, taking in additional stage finishes at Loughrea, Sligo, Dungloe, Buncrana, Derry, Newcastle and Skerries.

The race is sponsored by FBD Insurances and also receives important backing from the Irish Sports Council.

AC Sparta Praha Cycling

For further details contact: Dermot Dignam 01-8481517 or Sally Ryan 01- 6496400

or log-on to:  www.fbdinsuranceras.com