With just two weeks to go to the start of Rás Tailteann 2024, Cycling Leinster has unveiled its line-up for the five-stage race, opting for a youthful team with experience and potential and intent on taking results.
Furthermore, race organisers Cairde Rás Tailteann have also outlined details of more foreign teams competing in the event to take on the Irish challengers two weeks from now.
The latest two squads confirmed are both from Great Britain; Team 05-03 and Moonglu Race Team. Both outfits will be making their debut in the event, with 05-03 the new feeder team to the most successful UCI Continental British squad of last season, Saint Piran.
Cycling Leinster has named a five-man team comprised of three U23 riders - Ronan O'Connor (Global 6 United), Joe-Nathan Matar (Orwell Wheelers), Ruairí Byrne (UCD Cycling Club) - and two just out of that category, JB Murphy (Killcullen CC Murphy Geospacial) and James Delaney (Lucan CRC).
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All five are very strong riders, with Murphy the most experienced, having represented Ireland at junior and U23 level on the road and at elite level on the track, including medaling at the Europeans and Worlds on the track.
O'Connor is a rider with designs on making the U23 national road team this year for some of the biggest races on the international calendar and a big performance in Rás Tailteann would very much help his cause.
And in Byrne, Matar and Delaney, the team has another strong trio capable of getting into the mix - and into breakaways - searching for results in Ireland's premier stage race.
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"We won't be there to make up numbers," said Cycling Leinster in a brief statement announcing the team. "These lads like to race aggressively and we'll try get into the breaks and with JB we have a man that can sprint against the best."
Meanwhile, manager of the UK's Team 05-03, Oli Masters, has said his riders were very much looking forward to their trip to Ireland for Rás Tailteann.
“We are bringing with us a very excited bunch of riders as well as some experienced racers within our Under-23 riders," he said. "This all supports a good mix of learning from one another.
"All riders are currently working hard, and the coaches are supporting this event as one of the main objectives for the year. This will all be supported by a team of volunteers who are just as passionate about the sport."
Likewise, the Moonglu Race Team, a team of six riders based mainly in Yorkshire, said the trip to Ireland would offer its riders a very good test at racing against an international field.
Team manager, John Reeve, said: We are targeting a variety of national events this year, trying to use our willingness to work as a team to our advantage - hopefully gaining results and hitting goals as a group, as well as on an individual level - all while enjoying the process.
"We're excited to get out there, have some fun in the races together and see how we stack up against the big boys.”
