CYCLING:FOLLOWING THE success of the FBD Insurance Rás, which was won by British rider Simon Richardson last Sunday, attention is now turning towards the next months' national road race championships in Dunboyne and the Tour of Ireland in August.
Ireland’s top professionals Nicolas Roche, Philip Deignan and defending champion Daniel Martin are all expected to return for the former, while some of the top teams in the world are expected for the latter.
Details are still to be announced for the Tour of Ireland, but more information will be available shortly.
“We have been very busy putting together what we believe to be a very exciting and challenging route,” project director Darach McQuaid told The Irish Times this week.
“Lance Armstrong’s participation has prompted us to include some elements not seen in the 2007 and 2008 editions. We will be announcing the route in the coming weeks.”
The statement points to the possibility that a time trial might feature in the race, which will run from August 19th-23rd. If so, this would increase the likelihood of a prominent showing by the American.
McQuaid expects a strong presence, both on and off the bike.
“We are working with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Irish Cancer Society on exciting programs to promote Lance’s cancer message during the race. This will culminate in the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin the day after the Tour of Ireland finishes.
“Lance’s current strong performance in Italy indicates that by the time the Tour de France and Tour of Ireland take place, he will have found the racing form to compete and win which of course is exciting for our event.”
Of course, the race is far more than being about one rider. Some of the world’s top professionals have competed in the race in the past two years, including Mark Cavendish.
The Isle of Man rider took the first three stages in last year’s race, one month after netting four sprint victories in the Tour de France, and his Columbia team-mate Marco Pinotti won overall.
As is the case with the route, McQuaid said that the line-up will also begin to be announced soon. “Major world squads have been sending us their rosters, which we will reveal shortly,” he stated.
“All I can say at this stage is the quality of the field will be world class, with some of the best teams in the world racing on Irish roads again.”
The race will once again be sponsored by companies such as Fáilte Ireland, An Post, Fiat Auto Ireland, Vittel and others.
McQuaid said that there were still “significant partner opportunities” available for the event, which is being carried live on RTÉ, ITV in Britain and Versus in the US, as well as many more networks worldwide.
FIXTURES: Today – Sunday: Rás Dun na nGall, Killybegs. Saturday – Monday: Cycling Pursuits 3 Day points race, Newcastlewest. Sunday – Monday: IVCA Usher two day, Batterstown. Stage one starts 9.15am. Sunday: XC NPS 6, Castlewellan, Co Down. Monday: Frank O’Rourke Memorial, sign on at Camross Hall, Wexford (off N25).
