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Top class riders aim for strong finish

Friday, 23 May 2008

SOME of the best cyclists in Europe will converge on north county Dublin for the final stage of the FBD Insurance Ras this Sunday (May 25).
If the past two years are anything to go by, massive crowds will line the streets in the seafront town, generating plenty of atmosphere and encouragement.
This year’s FBD Insurance Ras eight-day international cycle race, which is running from May 18-25, sees at least ten countries represented, with the emphasis on national, regional and top level sponsored amateur cycling teams.
One of those teams is the Sean Kelly Acadmey Team, which is being sponsored by An Post for the 2008 season.
The team, which is based in Belgium, is made up of leading Irish and European cyclists and is Ireland’s first UCI registered team.
Local postmaster, Gerry Fagan, is urging locals to come out and support the An Post Sean Kelly Team, who will be hoping to perform well and finish strongly on day eight in Skerries.
“There’s a great sense of anticipation around the town ahead of the Ras and we’re really looking forward to welcoming the An Post team in particular to Skerries,” Gerry said.
“We hope that everyone will come out and support the An Post team as they come into the town for the final stage on Sunday.”
With is being the last day, the complexities of stage eight will provide the opportunity for a change in the yellow jersey.
Running 130 kilometres from Newbridge to Skerries, the early kilometres head through Prosperous, Kilcock (30.4km), Dunshaughlin, Rathoath and on to the category three climb of Pluckhimin (75.1km).
After Naul and Balrothery, the riders will hit the category three Cross of the Cage climb (94.4), racing onto the Skerries finishing circuit almost immediately after the top.
The riders will whip past the massive crowds and begin the first of two 13.8 kilometre laps, fighting it out on the category three Black Hills each
time.
The last ascent of the climb is nine kilometres from the finish and from there to the line the speed will be manic.
Much is at stake, and every second may well count.
For updates on the Ras and the An Post Sean Kelly Team, you can log onto the website www.anpost.ie/cycling.

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