Wheeling in the years as father, son bid for Rás title

WHEN Philip Cassidy sprang one of cycling’s shocks of the century by coming back after 16 years to win the FBD Milk Rás for a second time in 1999, his son Mark was just a spectator with a passing interest.

“He has no real interest in cycling,” Philip insisted as people admired the physique of the younger Cassidy after the penultimate stage into Drogheda.

But next Sunday a proud father and his 19-year-old son will line up side by side in the colours of the Lee Strand Meath team as Philip, now in his forties and the oldest Rás winner to date, once again rolls back the years.