IT’S HARD TO believe it was this weekend twelve months ago that the cycling world descended on Ireland for the opening stages of the prestigious Giro d’Italia.
It was an event which gripped the public’s imagination as the world’s best riders weaved their way through towns and villages on the east coast en route to Dublin where thousands awaited in Merrion Square for the arrival of the peleton.
The images of the throngs of crowds who had packed the streets, not just in the capital, will certainly be an abiding memory from an historic three days for the sport in this country.
Sixteen years after the Tour de France came to these shores, cycling was back in the sporting conscience and now organisers hope to build on the success of the Grande Partenza when Ireland’s only professional race begins on Sunday.
Starting in Dunboyne, the An Post Rás will see a star-studded field of 175 cyclists from 15 international teams embark on an eight day, 1,200 kilometre journey around the country.
The eleventh-hour addition of home favourite Martyn Irvine has helped boost the profile of an event which sees professional teams ride side-by-side with eighteen amateur ones.
Ryan Mullen (right) leads the Sean Kelly team Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
“There is a lot more people on bicycles now and that’s transferred into interest levels,” Tony Campbell, the race director, tells The42. “It’s been fantastic and we’ve had a lot of towns contacting us to say they want us to include them in the route.”
“It hasn’t necessarily resulted in more revenue streams for us but we’re extremely grateful to our partners for their continued support.
“This year, there are some really good riders and teams set to take part and that’s testament to all the behind the scenes work.”
The Rás may have risen in notability during the cycling boom here, as evidenced by this year’s line-up, but the format remains unchanged from the first edition in 1953 when riders set off from outside the GPO.
It's a truly unique event which sees professionals and amateurs ride side-by-side Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
After being involved in its organisation for over three decades, Campbell assumed the reins of race director two years ago and forms part of a voluntary committee which strains tirelessly to ensure everything is ready for the start line.
“We work together to get the teams together, make sure the equipment and everything else is in place plus meeting and greeting the riders at the airport and getting them to their hotels.
“Doing all that is the hardest part because the format takes care of itself. Its always stayed the same because when you have amateur rides involved you can’t go changing the course.
“Its the riders that dictate the race, you can make the course whatever way you want but if the boys don’t race it then it doesn’t happen.”
As an Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) event with Olympic Games and World Cycling Championships qualifying points on offer, the Rás remains a key fixture in the international calendar with British, French, Australian, Belgian and Austria teams set to be on the start line tomorrow.
It is an event which provides local economies with a welcome injection of income and tourist footfall. This year’s route takes in the Wild Atlantic Way with Carlow, Tipperary, Ballina and Drogheda among the counties and towns hosting stage finishes.
Skerries will once again host the final stage after eight days of intense racing Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE
Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
“This year’s race is a lot flatter than recent years,” Campbell continued. “But it is very undulating and very exposed, and there is very little shelter on a lot of stages, particularly out west.
“Riders will have to be vigilant every minute of the day. It’s been logistically challenging to put together but we all do it because we’re passionate about cycling – nothing more.”
It’s six years since an Irish rider stood on the podium in Skerries and Campbell hopes to see some strong performances from the home team this year.
“I would love to see the Irish boys win a couple of stages and be in contention for the overall win and I just feel some of them are ready to come through. We’ve a lot of exciting young riders.”
From an organisational point of view, Campbell has seen the race develop through the years and after months of planning, all his hard work will come to fruition when the tape is raised on Sunday morning in Dunboyne.
Like the thousands who will come out and watch, he hopes to have the chance to enjoy the world class cycling with Ireland’s picturesque countryside acting as a truly unique backdrop.
The 2015 An Post Rás starts this Sunday, 17 May, in Dunboyne at 12.30pm. Below is an outline of the route the riders will take over the eight days of racing.
'It's world class cycling with Ireland's picturesque countryside acting as a truly unique backdrop'
IT’S HARD TO believe it was this weekend twelve months ago that the cycling world descended on Ireland for the opening stages of the prestigious Giro d’Italia.
It was an event which gripped the public’s imagination as the world’s best riders weaved their way through towns and villages on the east coast en route to Dublin where thousands awaited in Merrion Square for the arrival of the peleton.
The images of the throngs of crowds who had packed the streets, not just in the capital, will certainly be an abiding memory from an historic three days for the sport in this country.
Sixteen years after the Tour de France came to these shores, cycling was back in the sporting conscience and now organisers hope to build on the success of the Grande Partenza when Ireland’s only professional race begins on Sunday.
Starting in Dunboyne, the An Post Rás will see a star-studded field of 175 cyclists from 15 international teams embark on an eight day, 1,200 kilometre journey around the country.
The eleventh-hour addition of home favourite Martyn Irvine has helped boost the profile of an event which sees professional teams ride side-by-side with eighteen amateur ones.
It will be the first time the World Track Cycling champion has been involved in the Rás for three years having won stage seven in 2011 and he joins an already strong Irish contingent including Ryan Mullen who will be wearing the An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly team colours.
“There is a lot more people on bicycles now and that’s transferred into interest levels,” Tony Campbell, the race director, tells The42. “It’s been fantastic and we’ve had a lot of towns contacting us to say they want us to include them in the route.”
“This year, there are some really good riders and teams set to take part and that’s testament to all the behind the scenes work.”
The Rás may have risen in notability during the cycling boom here, as evidenced by this year’s line-up, but the format remains unchanged from the first edition in 1953 when riders set off from outside the GPO.
After being involved in its organisation for over three decades, Campbell assumed the reins of race director two years ago and forms part of a voluntary committee which strains tirelessly to ensure everything is ready for the start line.
“We work together to get the teams together, make sure the equipment and everything else is in place plus meeting and greeting the riders at the airport and getting them to their hotels.
“Its the riders that dictate the race, you can make the course whatever way you want but if the boys don’t race it then it doesn’t happen.”
As an Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) event with Olympic Games and World Cycling Championships qualifying points on offer, the Rás remains a key fixture in the international calendar with British, French, Australian, Belgian and Austria teams set to be on the start line tomorrow.
It is an event which provides local economies with a welcome injection of income and tourist footfall. This year’s route takes in the Wild Atlantic Way with Carlow, Tipperary, Ballina and Drogheda among the counties and towns hosting stage finishes.
“This year’s race is a lot flatter than recent years,” Campbell continued. “But it is very undulating and very exposed, and there is very little shelter on a lot of stages, particularly out west.
It’s six years since an Irish rider stood on the podium in Skerries and Campbell hopes to see some strong performances from the home team this year.
“I would love to see the Irish boys win a couple of stages and be in contention for the overall win and I just feel some of them are ready to come through. We’ve a lot of exciting young riders.”
From an organisational point of view, Campbell has seen the race develop through the years and after months of planning, all his hard work will come to fruition when the tape is raised on Sunday morning in Dunboyne.
Like the thousands who will come out and watch, he hopes to have the chance to enjoy the world class cycling with Ireland’s picturesque countryside acting as a truly unique backdrop.
The 2015 An Post Rás starts this Sunday, 17 May, in Dunboyne at 12.30pm. Below is an outline of the route the riders will take over the eight days of racing.
– First published 08.30
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An Post Rás Cycling Martyn Irvine Ryan Mullen Tony Campbell