SIX PROFESSIONAL TEAMS FOR FBD INSURANCE RÁS

The foreign threat to an Irish win in this year’s FBD Insurance RÁS, due to start in five weeks time, has increased dramatically with the news that six top professional teams will be in the line-up when the big international 8 day race gets underway from the GPO on Sunday 22^nd May. In addition to a record number of six American amateur teams and squads from France and Germany race organiser, Dermot Dignam, has confirmed the inclusion of professional teams from Britain, continental Europe, North America and Scandinavia.

The addition of such a strong force of pro riders certainly ups the ante

David McCann

in an already highly competitive field and presents what may be an insurmountable challenge for the Irish riders trying to repeat David McCann’s great win in the race last year. It is only when the necessary paperwork allowing the pro teams compete in the race is finalised over the next week or so and details of the teams and riders are announced will the Irish, and the other nationalities, know the true extent of the task facing them in the last week of next month.

Meanwhile Cycling Ireland selectors are finalising the composition of the Irish team which is badly hit by so many of our top riders, such as last year’s winner, David McCann and 3^rd best placed, David O’Loughlin, having signed pro contracts and are now unavailable for consideration. Ultimately the selectors may have to depend on less experienced, perhaps even on under 23 year old, riders to wear the green jersey, unless, of course, they are able to pull a few surprises.

The gruelling 8-day race will bring the riders 1100 kilometres in an anti-clockwise course with stage finishes in Emyvale, Tubbercurry, Lisdoonvarna, Templemore, Abbeyleix, Rathdrum and Wicklow and the final 40 kilometres on a short circuit in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 29^th May.