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2005 It is somewhat ironic that the improving prospects of Ireland’s international riders has complicated things as regards home participation in the FBD Insurance Rás. In the years following the retirement of Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche, there was a lack of Irish pros in the peloton, but plenty of home riders in the Rás. Now, over a decade on, several riders have contracts and things are looking up as regards their careers. One drawback though is that the availability of riders for national team selection can be affected due to commitments with their pro teams. As an example, David McCann and David O’Loughlin are currently racing for Giant Asia and Navigators respectively, and found out earlier this year that a clash with their team race programmes meant they would not be able to travel back for the FBD Insurance Rás. Given that the two riders were first and third overall last year, this presented considerable problems for team selector Martin O’Loughlin. However, his dilemma looked to have been solved when it was announced recently that the top Irish pro Mark Scanlon had been granted a temporary release from his Ag2R Prévoyance team for the race, and would lead the Irish charge this month. Since beginning his pro career three seasons ago, Scanlon has taken a number of excellent results. He is a hugely talented rider, as evidenced by his storming win in the world junior championships in Valkenburg in 1998, and last summer he became the first Irishman in eleven years to ride the Tour de France. The Sligoman played an important part in the stage victories of Jaan Kirsipuu and Jean Patrick Nazon, both crucial results for the French Ag2R team. He also took two good wins in Estonia last season, moving to just outside the top 100 in the world rankings. However, with Rás fans and Scanlon supporters waiting in anticipation, disaster struck. In the final run-up to the race it was announced that medical tests conducted on the Sligoman showed that he had a form-sapping virus. Scanlon was ordered to rest, ruling him out of the event. In his absence, leadership of the team is likely to pass to two Belgium-based riders. Flanders professional Stephen Gallagher is himself in as a late replacement for Paul Griffin, and should perform strongly in the race. Gallagher rode solidly in the Tour de Langkawi earlier this season and, while he has missed out on some racing since then due to illness, he seems to be coming back into form. The second string to the Irish team bow is Paídi O’Brien, who finished a fine third in the tough Fléche Liedekerke classic on Monday.The Kanturk rider has been competing in Belgium this season, having moved there from France last year. O’Brien is based at the Sean Kelly Cycling Academy and has had a number of good performances in Belgian competition; he too could be in the running for a stage win. As for the other three on the team, Conor Murphy, John Dempsey and Brian Keane, they may lack the international experience of the other three but are all promising young riders, who will certainly have a part to play in this FBD Insurance Rás. Outside of the Irish team, Paul Healion (Dublin Usher Insulations) and Roger Aiken (Louth Safe Cycling) have, like O’Brien, been based at the Sean Kelly Cycling Academy and have shown impressive form in recent weeks. Both should go well. So too 1997 Rás winner Andy Roche, who has raced for both Ireland and the Isle of Man in the past and who will guest for Tipperary Worldwide Cycles this year. Things are a little more difficult for the domestic-based riders due to the large number of overseas professional teams in the race, but several will undoubtedly find themselves with the form to mix it up during the eight days of racing. Tim Barry (Tipperary Dan Morrissey) rode strongly in the International Presidency Turkey Tour earlier this month and will come into the FBD Insurance Rás with good motivation, while his team-mate Rory Wyley has taken some good wins this year. Brothers Daniel and Denis Lynch were both aggressive twelve months ago and should rise to the occasion again, while Eugene Moriarty (Meath Cycleways.com) and Colm Bracken (Kildare Murphy Surveyors) should be amongst those fighting for high placings in the sprints. As regards the county team classification, there are several squads who should be a big factor in this competition. Tipperary Dan Morrissey have, as mentioned, been riding well this season. They will come up against rivals such as Meath Cycleways.com, Cork Kanturk, Dublin Usher Insulations, Dublin Murphy and Gunn and Meath MJ Donnelly during the FBD Insurance Rás, further adding to what should be an aggressive, exciting edition of the race. |
