DERMOT DIGNAM had such a good response to his plea for early entries for next month's FBD Milk Ras that the record of 147 starters could be beaten and he has had to increase his order for race numbers.
He requested 150 of the special body and frame numbers required for each competitor but, as that figure is expected to be exceeded at closing time when the first post arrives on Monday morning, he has ordered some more. Dignam, who is on a hill walking trip to Wales this weekend, said no more entries will be accepted after Monday morning.
All the teams are allowed five members this year and although some regions and counties indicated they would be represented, they delayed final selection until this weekend. A few may have only four men but, despite numbers being down in domestic competition, Dignam hopes for a record line up. There were 147 starters in 1994 and that record was equalled in 1995.
For the 45th Ras Dignam has teams from France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Japan and the US to join Ireland, Britain, Scotland and Wales, as well as the usual Irish county and English regional selections.
The ACBB club in Paris will represent France and places for two non Frenchmen have been agreed. Gregor Giadowski, the Polish under 23 champion, who has already been assured of a contract with one of the big teams next year, has been confirmed as leader of the squad and although the others are to be selected after a three day race over the weekend, Paul Griffin is expected to be included.
The Ras starts in Dublin on Saturday, May 17th with a stage of 77 miles to Roscommon and after overnight stops in Clifden, Lisdoonvarna, Tralee, Killorglin, Bandon, Tramore and Carlow finishes in Swords on Sunday, May 25th.
The Tour of Ulster, which starts at Fintona on May 3rd and then has stages at Enniskillen on May 4th and 5th, will be a good total for most of the locals going in the Ras and organiser Pat Clarke has attracted a good line up.
Last year's winner David McCann will not be involved this time because of commitments with his French team but there will be several English challengers, so another keenly contested race in prospect. Clarke closed the entry at 100, but he has a stand by list and he said about 20 of them are likely to get in.
The Stamullen Grand Prix is Sunday's main attraction and Gabriel Howard's promotion will help to throw some light on the domestic form nobody has emerged so far as a dominant personality. Most attention will be on local hope Bill Moore, especially after his win at Bohermeen.
The main event is over six laps of a 12 mile circuit, timed to start at one o'clock. The second category race is over four laps, juniors do the same and there are also races for the under 12, 14 and 16 age cohorts.
. Paddy Griffin, chairman of the FIC committee with responsibility for leisure cycling and touring, introduced a booklet in Kelly Roche House last evening to promote leisure cycling in Ireland. Some valuable hints are included with an extensive list of organised tours and there will be a new leisure cyclist of the year award, September 21st is National Bike Day.
