The FBD Insurance Rás cycling race will start tomorrow minus one team, following the disappearance of what was believed to be an Iranian national selection. Shane Stokesreports.
Following months of negotiations between the race organiser Dermot Dignam and what appeared to be a legitimate vice-president of the Iranian national cycling federation, visas were granted for five riders and four team officials to travel to the race, marking the first entry from the Middle Eastern country.
The first indication that something was amiss was when four of the group arrived a week earlier than scheduled.
Mr Dignam arranged for them to check in early to the official pre-race accommodation venue but they did not show up.
Two more from the group then flew into Dublin airport on Thursday but were refused entry to the country.
Mahdi Fathi, Mohammad Rastad, Amir Shakeri, Mobin Bagherzadegan and Mahmoud Talei had been entered as the riders for the race.
Mr Dignam believed he had been in negotiations with Ali Zangi Abadi, double bronze medallist in the 1982 Asian games and current vice-president of the Cycling Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, but it now seems that the person concerned was posing as the former international rider.
"Following discussions with the Iranian embassy and immigration officials we immediately cancelled arrangements for the team's participation in the FBD Rás," said Mr Dignam yesterday, confirming that the squad was bogus.
Meanwhile, teams from the US, Germany, Estonia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Britain, Australia and the Netherlands have arrived for the eight-day race, which gets under way tomorrow with a 157km stage from Naas to Templemore.
They will line out against some of Ireland's strongest riders, including the well organised Subway Eat Fresh Irish Team of David McCann, Paul Griffin, Dermot Nally, Martyn Irvine and former world junior champion Mark Scanlon.
The riders will cover almost 1,200km of highly competitive racing as they travel anti-clockwise around the country, taking in additional stage finishes at Loughrea, Sligo, Dungloe, Buncrana, Derry and Newcastle.
The final stage of the race will finish in Skerries on Sunday, May 27th.
Last year's race saw the closest finish, with Britain Recycling.co.uk rider Kristian House holding on to win.