Foreign challenge for RÁS strengthens as six pro teams enter fray

THE foreign challenge for the FBD Insurance RÁS was strengthened yesterday with six professional teams confirmed in a record entry of 200 when the event starts from Dublin’s GPO on May 22.

“The addition of such a strong force of pro riders certainly ups the ante and presents a challenge that may be beyond for the Irish riders,” race organiser, Dermot Dignam said. “When the paperwork is completed we will be able to gauge the strength of the challenge but it will be strong and the pace will be upped dramatically with as a result of the professional presence.”

Missing, however, will be last year’s winner, David McCann, and third placed, David O’Loughlin, who have commitments with their professional teams elsewhere.