Cycling/ Weekend preview: As the countdown continues to next month's FBD Insurance Rás, two more continental-level teams have been confirmed for the world-ranked event.
Last year the Norway-Sparebanken Vest squad had a strong showing, placing second overall in the international team standings. Morten Hegreberg won a stage, led the race, took a number of top placings and finished third overall. He was also third in the king of the mountains competition and second in the points classification, while team-mate Morten Christiansen won the fifth stage.
The duo are aiming to improve on that impressive debut and, together with other strong riders Are Andresen, Tamas Lengyel and Slovakian road race champion Martin Prazdnovsky, they will be one of the biggest threats to an Irish victory.
Another stage winner returning to the race is Andrew Randall, who in 2002 sprinted to victory on the fourth stage to Castletownbere. He will lead the Canada-Team Symmetrics squad, with Brandon Crichton, Cory Lange, Brad Fairall and Will Routley his likely team-mates for the 2.2-ranked race.
The Rás begins in Dublin on May 21st and finishes eight days and over 1,200 kilometres later in Skerries on Sunday, May 28th. There will be stage finishes in Enniscorthy, Cobh, An Daingean, Listowel, An Cheathru Rua, Westport and Clara.
In related news, double Rás winner Philip Cassidy was among the riders at the unveiling of the new MyHome.ie/ Cycleways.com team during the week. Cassidy is captain of the squad, which will be targeting a stage win in the Rás, strong performances in the national championships and stages plus overall honours in events such as the Rás Mumhan, which begins in Kerry this weekend.
Cassidy has shown improving form, but is sticking to the announcement made at last year's FBD Rás that he would not take part again, due to his age. "You've got to draw the line somewhere," the 44-year-old said.
He will, however, aim for a stage win in the Tour of Ulster, and says he is considering competing in the Masters' World Championships.
In his absence, Eugene Moriarty is the likely team leader for the Rás. He is hoping for a strong ride in his home race, the Rás Mumhan. The race begins with a 52-mile stage this afternoon, taking the riders through Tralee, over Sliabh Mish and back to Killorglin, and runs until Monday.
There is a strong line-up, including the Belgian-based Sean Kelly-ACLVB M Donnelly Racing Team and the Murphy & Gunn/Newlyn Group, two Irish continental (semi-professional) squads. The latter will include last year's victor, John Dempsey.
The 110-rider field also includes the Dutch AltiPower team, the German Team Fraher Under-23 squad and a representation from Surrey.
Elsewhere, the P&O Tour of the North begins today with a time trial at Stormont, while the Bertoni Gorey Three-Day starts tomorrow with a stage from Brittas to the Co Wexford town.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday - Monday: Credit Union Rás Mumhan, Killorglin, stage 1 starts at 2.0 pm; P&O Tour of the North, stage 1 starts in Stormont at 7.0 pm.
Saturday - Monday: Bertoni Gorey 3-Day, first stage starts Brittas at noon.
