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.

There is a big international presence among the amateurs as well with teams from Britain, Europe, Scandinavia and North America.

Jonathan Vaughters, a former team mate of Tour de France legend, Lance Armstrong, will be in charge of one of the six US teams.

Team TIAA-CREF is sure to be in the hunt for major honours and is comprised of a squad of promising under-23 riders, all of whom are destined to turn professional over the coming year. Vaughters rode in the RÁS back in 1993 alongside Colby Pearce who finished third overall that year. Pearce, too, makes a return to Ireland and will manage Team TIAA-CREF.

However, they will have another strong US team to battle. Team Guinness will be anxious to highlight their presence and are already being tipped by Dignam as contenders for overall honours. McGuire Cycles confirmed their participation a couple of weeks ago and yesterday another five US teams were confirmed, Team Guinness, Team TIAA-CREF, Boston Scientific Cycling, USA Ventilux First Rate Mortgage and US Tradewind Sports-ESP.

There will be stage ends in Emyvale, Tubbercurry, Lisdoonvarna, Abbeyleix, Rathdrum and Wicklow Town before the finish in the Phoenix Park.