With Ireland's biggest stage race for men, Rás Tailteann, now just one week away, the Cáirde Rás Tailteann organising group has unveiled the latest international teams to confirm their participation in this year's race.
In sponsor news, Irish cycling apparel company Spin 11 - with links to Rás winners Brian Connaughton and Philip Cassidy - is also back again this year to support the race. The company, which specialises in producing comfortable, robust and aerodynamic kit for cyclists, is sponsoring the U23 category this year.
“We are only too happy to continue our long association with An Rás Tailteann and look forward to seeing the champions of today wearing our jerseys as they continue in their pursuit of becoming the legends of tomorrow," said Maria Connaughton of Spin 11.
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The two latest teams confirmed for the race are England's Embark Spirit BSS and Austria's ARBO Headstart ON-Fahrrad; both teams with designs on making an impact on the race in terms of stage wins and overall results.
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Embark Spirit BSS is now well known on the Irish scene as it has competed here many times, often winning. Most recently one of its riders, Joe Wilson, won the Coombes Conor Memorial, promoted by Drogheda Wheelers last month. And having helped animate the Rás last year, it will be determined to come back and take a stage win, at least.
Meanwhile, Austria's ARBÖ headstart On-Fahrrad was founded in 2014 to support elite cycling at regional team level. Its riders compete domestically and internationally and have produced some top results on the UCI circuit, with Irish rider Leo Doyle among its ranks.
“We are excited to welcome ARBO Headstart ON-Fahrrad in 2023," said race director Ger Campbell Cáirde Rás Tailteann. "Recent editions of this race have been dominated by Austrian riders, and has featured winners such as current World Tour rider Lucas Postelberger who claimed victory in 2015 and Clemens Fankhauser who won in 2014 and 2016. We’re expecting exciting things from this team and look forward to watching how the Rás unfolds for them over the five days”.
Rás Tailteann will be fought out over five stages from May 17th. It will feature stage finishes in Birr, Ennis, Castlebar and Monaghan before starting the final stage to a finishing circuit in the seaside town of Blackrock, Co Louth. The riders will cover 768km with 14 categorised climbs in the battle for stage and overall honours.
