The riders were assembled in Donegal late on Thursday for the Donegal Ultra 555 despite the epic conditions battering most of the country.
While temperatures had dipped and the heavens had opened the night before the race, the show will go on, starting Friday morning, and with some very strong riders in the field.
World Everesting record holder Ronan McLaughlin (Dan Morrissey-MIG-Pactimo) headlines the field and is clearly in top form having taken that record recently from Alberto Contador.
Indeed, McLaughlin is from Donegal and broke the Everesting record on Mamore Gap in the county and he faces into the next 24-hour period as a red hot favourite taking on roads he knows so well.
Former pro rider, and Vuelta and Giro finisher, Conor Dunne also takes to the start line. It will be the former national champion's first competitive outing since he swapped his place in the pro peloton for a reporters' job on Global Cycling Network.
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While Dunne looks as fit as ever, it will be interesting to see how he rides considering he has been away from competition for a period.
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The race follows 555km of the Wild Atlantic Way around
Donegal, with the ascents of both Mamore Gap and Glengesh Pass included.
Competitors start at 1 minute intervals and follow a set route.
With race headquarters in Letterkenny, the riders race
for the Inishowen and anti-clockwise towards Malin Head before riding over
Mamore Gap.
The route then takes the riders back to Letterkenny via
Buncrana, followed the Donegal Wild Atlantic Way south.
That section takes the riders through Knockalla, Fanad Head, Atlantic Drive, Hornhead, Carrickfin, Glengesh Pass, Sliabh League, Barnesmore Gap and into the finish in Letterkenny.
Donegal Ultra 555km
Start list 2020: Friday, Aug 28th
- Mike Burke Dublin 07:00am start time
- Aidan Fallon Ardara 07:03
- Patrick Morning Manorcunningham 07:06
- Brendan Cassidy Blarney CC 07:09
- Gerard Callaghan Letterkenny 07:12
- John Mc Fadden Ballybofey 07:15
- Francis Fury Tir Chonall Gap 07:18
- Andrew Agnew Redhills Cavan 07:21
- Chris Doherty Gransha, Buncrana 07:24
- Alisdair Robinson Coffee Hut Portstewart 07:27
- Graham Sterritt Errigal cc Dunfanaghy 07:30
- Vacant 07:33
- Ciaran Breslin Navan 07:36
- Paul Birchall Pi Cycles Cork 07:39
- Christopher Beattie Ballymoney 07:42
- Mark Mc Ginley Four Masters cc 07:45
- Adrian O Sullivan Trans Atlantic Way 07:48
- Colm Richardson Errigal cc 07:51
- Rory Devlin Inishowen 07:54
- Conor Dunne GCN 07:57
- Gavin O Connor Kerry 08:00
- David Dougan Antrim 08:03
- Ronan Mc Laughlin Mig Pactimo 08:06
- John Gilleran Roscommon, Team Croi 08:09
Two-Person Teams
- Daniel Furey & Michael Furey Smokey Spokes 08:15
- Aidan Fitton & Martin Mannering Dublin 08:18
- Stephen Crowley & Jarlaith Sweeney Galway 08:21
- Nicky Gormley & Tony O Doherty Maghera 08:24
- Tosh Barry & Stephen Whyte Team Jack #85 08:27
- Johnny Kane & Adrian Mc Dermott Team LK Bikes 08:30
- Vacant 08:33
- Roger Brown & Robert Curry Team R & R 08:36
Four Person Teams
- Seamus Wilkinson The Friary Wheelers 08:50
- Dean Lockart Bellaghy 08:53
- Anthony Sweeney The Cranford Chancers 08:56
- Brendan Boyle Team Ardara 08:59
- Joseph Mc Cafferty Mountain Goats 09:02
- Vacant 09:05
- Bernard MC Bride Team HEXAGONS 09:08
- Rory Kennedy The Pacers 09:11
- Mervyn Mc Dowell US Pulsetal 09:15
- Daniel Walsh Dads Army 09:18
- Seamus Gallagher Rusty Cranks 09:21
- Jack Massey Team H8 Lawlors 09:24
- Liam Doherty Spin The Wheel 09:27
- Greg Donaghy The Lost Boys 09:30
- Hugh Brogan Mc Cafferty’s Bar 09:36
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