Cycling:Irish riders Sam Bennett, Mark Cassidy and Ronan McLaughlin were named in a five-man An Post Seán Kelly squad ahead of the 59th edition of the Rás, which gets under way in Dunboyne this Sunday.
Team manager Kurt Bogaerts today named his line-up with the Irish trio to be accompanied by Mark McNally and Gediminas Bagdonas in the Kelly team colours.
After strong performances last weekend the Belgian based team show good form ahead of the eight day stage race. Lithuanian Bagdonas won the Verrebroek - Beveren on Sunday with Bennett taking fourth. Belgian veteran Niko Eeckhout also won the Houthalen-Helchteren the previous day.
“It was hard to pick the squad for the Rás, but it is a good problem for me to have,” said Bogaerts. “I am lucky that the guys have been racing well recently and they all wanted to be part of the team.”
“It was an especially tough decision to leave Philip Lavery out, but at the moment I feel I have picked the strongest five for this race. Bennett and Cassidy are both previous stage winners of the race, while Ronan (McLaughlin) has been one of our strongest riders recently.
“Mark McNally also has good experience of the race, while Gediminas (Bagdonas) won at the weekend and looks in top shape.”
Bogaerts was delighted with the team’s two wins at the weekend, which he thinks will bring confidence ahead of the side’s return to Ireland.
“To win twice at the weekend will be great for everyone’s confidence,” he added. “We haven’t been racing a lot recently because I wanted the guys to be well rested before they reached Ireland.
“The weekend’s results proved that the rest has been good for the team and I feel we are in peak condition coming up to the Rás. I’m certain we will be fighting for every jersey on the race.”
An Post Seán Kelly team for Rás
Mark Cassidy (IRL)
Sam Bennett (IRL)
Ronan McLaughlin (IRL)
Mark McNally (UK)
Gediminas Bagdonas (LTU)
59th Rás: Stage-by-stage
Stage 1, Sunday, May 22nd: Dunboyne – Portumna, 148 kms
Stage 2, Monday, May 23rd: Portumna – Kilrush, 164kms
Stage 3, Tuesday, May 24th: Kilrush – Castleisland, 175kms
Stage 4, Wednesday, May 25th: Castleisland – Castletownbere, 142kms
Stage 5, Thursday, May 26th: Castletownbere – Blarney, 156kms
Stage 6, Friday, May 27th: Blarney – Tramore, 172kms
Stage 7, Saturday, May 28th: Tramore – Kildare, 157kms
Stage 8, Sunday, May 29th: Kildare – Skerries, 133kms