World madison champion Kenny De Ketele (left) will be part of the Belgian national team for the An Post Rás
A further group of foreign teams confirmed for the An Post Rás will bring with them some very experienced riders, including a host of names who have ridden and medalled on the track at the World Championships and also competed on the Olympic velodrome for the countries.
The latest to join the line-up are the Dutch Koga Cycling Team, the Belgian national squad and the Australian Subaru-Albion outfit.
There is a strong track influence in the first two squads, with several high achievers among their ranks.
The Koga Cycling Team’s provisional selection includes Nick Stopler, who took silver and bronze in the points and madison respectively at the European track championships two years ago.
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The squad also includes Bouke Kuiper, who won a stage in the Tour du Faso in 2011 and who was world track championship silver medallist in the points race four years earlier.
The other three riders likely to take part are the 2012 Dutch national omnium champion Roy Eefting, plus the road and mountain bike rider Lars Vierbergen.
“Last year we had some top five and top ten placings in stages,” said Cees Van Der Steen, who is part of the team management.
“We were second in the overall team classification. We are going for that again and perhaps we will get a stage victory.”
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The track theme continues on the Belgian national team, where multiple six day winner and 2012 world madison champion Kenny De Ketele, plus Olympic team pursuit rider Jasper De Buyst, will lead the charge.
Another team pursuit rider from London 2012, Moreno De Pauw will also be part of the line-up. He is a double European track championship bronze medallist, while Aimé De Gendt is a noted time trial rider. The squad is likely to be completed by Jochen Deweer, a past world junior and European championship silver medallist.
“We won’t have specific leaders, but Kenny De Ketele and Jasper De Buyst are the most experienced riders,” said the Belgian Cycling Federation director Jos Smets.
“Leadership will depend of the results of the first stages. Our goals are to win a stage and achieve a top ten in the final ranking.”
The Team Subaru Albion team will be representing Australia in the race. The likely team will be Keagan Atkinson, David Early, Chris McLoran, Cam Harrison and Anthony Murray.
“The list of international teams continues to grow in advance of the race start in less than a month’s time,” said race director Tony Campbell.
“With several accomplished track riders being confirmed today, we are looking forward to the speed and tactics they will bring to the race.”
