Darragh Campbell, right, makes his Rás debut with Novo Nordisk in just over one week's time (Photo: Amy Norah Farrell)
A young Irish rider with diabetes will be part of a five-man American team who’ll take part in the An Post Rás for the first time the week after next, with a more seasoned Italian rider competing with another squad having once been a WorldTour man.
Darragh Campbell, from Drogheda, has been riding for the world’s first professional team comprised exclusively of diabetics since the middle of last year and he’ll be returning to Ireland for the country’s biggest race.
Campbell (20) will be joined by fellow development riders Quentin Valognes and Mehdi Benhamouda, both from France, Emanuel Mini from Argentina and Italian rider Umberto Poli.
The team have a squad of riders racing under a professional continental licence and Campbell will be hoping he can develop enough to make that step-up.
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“The Team Novo Nordisk development team is excited to race at An Post Rás,” read a team statement.
“Our goals are to land a podium in a sprint stage and to place top 10 in two or more stages.
“We will be looking for results from both Quentin and Mehdi in sprints and also to raise awareness with our local Irish rider, Daragh."
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Another Irishman, Stephen Clancy, has been with the team for the last couple of years and has made great strides.
This year, the team broke new ground when they rode the iconic Milan-San Remo and their goal is to be the first all-diabetic team to ride the Tour de France.
Also included on the start-list are the Team Idea squad from Italy.
They made a big impact last year with two riders finishing in the top 10 while they also took a stage win through Davide Ballerini when he soloed to victory on the final day into Skerries.
Their line-up isn’t 100 per cent confirmed yet but it is likely to comprise of Alessandro Pettiti, former Quick-Step rider Francesco Reda, past Team Sky and Lampre-Merida competitor Davide Vigano plus young riders Marco Tizza and Matteo Malucelli.
Vigano’s name is a very familiar one within cycling’s pro ranks.
He’s a former Vuelta A Espana stage winner, albeit through a team time-trial, while he’s also ridden eight Grand Tours, finished six.
“Our leader for general classification is Francesco Reda,” said team manager Alberto Elli.
“The team goal is to be in front every day and try to make a sprint finish with our sprinter Davide Vigano.”
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