Toughest Rás yet for in-form Irish riders

DAVID O’LOUGHLIN and David McCann are hitting top form but Irish team manager Frank Campbell yesterday said this year’s FBD Milk Rás will be the toughest yet for Irish riders.

Irish cycling's showpiece gets underway in Dublin on Sunday and will ultimately be decided in the heady heights of some of Ireland's highest mountains before the Grand Prix finish in the Phoenix Park on May 30 after eight days of racing.

Tobias Lergard of Sweden appears an obvious favourite. He lost by a mere five seconds to experienced Englishman Chris Newton, last year.