2005

Julian Winn To Head Wales Stena Line Team In FBD Insurance RÁS
Apr 25, 2005, 15:52

PRESS RELEASE

JULIAN WINN LEADS STRONG WALES STENA LINE TEAM.

Julian Winn leads Wales Stena Team

Former winner Julian Winn will lead a strong Wales Stena Line team in this year’s FBD Insurance RÁS, which takes place from 22^nd to 29^th May. Following his decisive victory in 2000 Winn joined the professional ranks with Italian team Fakta winning the Gran Prix Villers-Cotterêts and notching up an impressive performance in the Giro d-Italia, he also won the British national Road Race Championship in 2002.

In trying to repeat his 2000 victory Winn has the backing of a nice blend of youthful enthusiasm in Robert Partridge and Lewys Hobbs while the experienced Jamie Norfolk and Paul Sheppard will not be found wanting when the vital splits occur.

Stena Line has a long association with the RÁS and is the official maritime carrier for the world-ranked 8 day race, being responsible each year for the massive task of bringing teams from Scandinavia, Britain and continental Europe. Mr. Eamonn Hewitt Communications & PR Manager for Stena Line’s Irish Sea Organisation said “Stena Line is delighted to support the FBD Insurance RÁS again this year.  The Company has a relationship that goes back many years not only with this great event but with Cycling Ireland also. We had the privilege of moving the Tour de France into and out of Ireland in 1998 and can appreciate the organisational complexity of an event such as the FBD Insurance RÁS, so we congratulate Dermot Dignam and his hard working team on their sterling efforts over the years. We are particularly delighted to have the Welsh National Team on board as three of our routes operate between Ireland and Wales so the synergy is obvious”.