Martin Donnelly/Sean Kelly professional team to make Rás Mumhan debut
The route should provide no major challenges for three members of the team, Kerry riders Micheál and Eoin Concannon and Cork’s Páidí O’Brien though race director Sean O’Callaghan has introduced an interesting visit to Valentia Island for the 110-strong peloton.
The Sean Kelly team will be completed by two Belgians, Rieno Stofferis and Kurt Bogaerts, and their chances have been boosted by the inclusion of O’Brien who impressed recently with a 26th placed finish in Belgium.
Ireland’s home-based professional cycling team, Murphy & Gunn/Newlyn, could provide the overall winner as they boast last year’s winner, John Dempsey, and runner-up Conor Murphy, with the intelligent backing of the former FBD Insurance Rás winner, Andrew Roche, Simon Kelly and Kerryman John O’Shea.
The team is managed by the former Irish team manager, Declan Byrne, and they return to Ireland after back-to-back stage races in South Africa and Serbia.
The Cycleways/My Home.ie team includes three former winners of the race, Eugene Moriarty from Listowel, Stephen O’ Sullivan and Brian Kenneally along with double FBD Rás winner Phillip Cassidy. Moriarty is current National Criterium champion and finished last year ranked No 1. Aidan Crowley from Midleton is another sure to like the Criterium.
The Stamullen M Donnelly features Bill Moore, winner of the Phoenix Park Stage of the Rás last year while Michael Hennessy, winner of the Silver Pail GP, will lead a Fermoy team that includes the Lynch twins, Denis and Daniel. Dublin Wheelers will have Brian Keane, who lost the race lead and possible outright victory last year when he missed his slot in the Time Trial, Brian Taffe, and Listowel winner Ken Norgrove on duty.
The Dan Morrissey Carrick Wheelers are the form team and bring all their big guns including Rory Wyley, double Tour of Ulster winner Timmy Barry, and Martin O’Loughlin who won the Conor Pass Stage last year. The Earl of Desmond team will lead the Kerry challenge and Sean Lacey just back from injury will line out with Vincent Gleeson.
The overseas challenge will be led by Dutch Team AltiPower that includes Thomas Rabou who landed the World Ranked Tour of Siam.
Germany come to the race for the first time with the Team Fraher U23 squad.
A five-man team representing Surrey in England includes Simon Saunders winner of the opening stage last year, to complete the line up of 110 riders.
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