5 Irish riders to keep a close eye on during An Post Rás 2017
Eoin Morton was one of the stand-out riders from the An Post Rás last yearAnd he knows it will be very difficult to emulate his performances from 2016. We cannot wait to see him in action again this week.
Damien Shaw (An Post-ChainReaction)
Having progressed hugely over the winter, Damien Shaw is the man An PostChainReaction be looking to for stage wins and jerseys this time around.
He has never won a stage but has come close on several occasions. Shaw is in a fine run of form and could finally end that long wait this year.
His win on the opening day of the Tour du Loir et Chere was a landmark victory for him.
It gave him the confidence to believe he can win big pro races. He will be a watched man this week, but he should fear nobody on the start-list.
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The hills of Donegal will be a big test for him but he has the backing of a very strong team.
Eoin Morton (Irish national team)
One of the very best domestic riders for the past number of seasons, Morton entered an elite bracket last year when he won a stage into Charleville after a 180-kilometre journey.
He was aggressive all week and infiltrated many breaks. As Irish team captain this week he’ll be looking to emulate his amazing week of 12 months ago.
The question is, can he?
Mark Dowling (Strata 3 VeloRevolution)
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Every time the riders go to the line in Ireland for the hardest races of the year, Mark Dowling is among the fancied men.
He was won some great stage races and one-day events. But he is perhaps missing a really brilliant Rás from his palmares.
On his day he is definitely capable of winning a stage. And with plenty of climbs this time around it may be a case of now or never.
Michael O’Loughlin (Team Wiggins)
In his second year as an U23 rider the 20-year old from Carrick on Suir is in his debut Rás. So he is still very much in a learning phase.
However, he has bags of talent and plenty of international experience.
The course is very good for his characteristics. He's a rider who can go uphill quickly and sniff out successful breaks.
And they are two very important things a rider needs in a race like the Rás.
Darragh O’Mahony (Irish National Team)
The Corkman is out of the O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk stable and is riding his debut Rás.
He is a very aggressive type of rider who climbs really well.
He’s a former Junior Tour of Ireland stage winner and has excelled in the Kerry Group Raá Mumhan and the Tour of Ulster.
He won’t be one bit fazed by the bigger teams and more established men.
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