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Do you have what it takes to win a VIP training camp with An Post's Irish stars Sean Downey, Ryan Mullen, Marcus Christie and Jack Wilson?
In an era when social media helps spread race results, photos and even videos from an event to a worldwide audience in an instant, An Post Rás has come up with a novel way of rewarding those riding the race for doing the same.
This year, An Post is running the 'Chapeau' or ‘C–Factor’ competition for county riders taking on the Rás. There are some top prizes on offer for those who exemplify the spirit of the race.
The county rider deemed to have the ‘C-factor’ at this year’s race will be judged on not only his riding performance over the eight stages, but also by his use of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other channels.
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With the competition starting now and ending on the final day of the Rás, riders can keep fans up to date with any aspect of their preparations; from how their diet is going and how team selection is decided to sharing photos of their county jersey for the 2014 Rás.
Essentially, they'll be judged and how they share content they believe will appeal to the race's global audience across the web.
To make sure all of the riders are on the same page when using Twitter, and to help An Post Rás fans keep track of everything that’s going on, the hashtag #Ras2014 must be used in any tweets if the content shared is to count towards the final prize.
And that final prize really is worth the effort for the county men that the Chapeau classification is open to.
At the end of the final stage of the race in Skerries, a newly designed ‘C-Factor’ jersey will be awarded to the rider judged to have put in the best effort over the eight days, both on and off the bike.
The new 'C Factor' jersey is an extra prize open to county riders, but does not replace the existing county rider classification.
The new mainly blue jersey, pictured below, is inscribed with the word ‘Chapeau’ on the front and back in a reference to the French cycling term for ‘hats off to you’, as well as the green livery of race sponsors An Post.
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The all new 'C Factor' jersey which will be awarded to the rider with the best social media activity on this year's An Post Rás.
As well as taking the new jersey away from the race, the successful rider will also earn a VIP spot at an An Post Chainreaction team training camp at the end of the year.
Chosen by seasoned Rás watchers, the winner of the ‘C Factor’ competition will enjoy a four-day trip to Calpe in northern Spain in the off season. Here he will spend a weekend of winter training with Sean Kelly’s men in green.
The winner will be flown to Alicante and after taking a short spin to get the flight out of his legs, the #Ras2014 ‘C Factor’ winner will be given the VIP treatment by the Irish professional team.
After being fully kitted out in the An Post Chainreaction team kit, the ‘C Factor’ winner will enjoy two more days of training spins with the team, getting nutritional and coaching advice along the way, before having those tired legs soothed by the team soigneur and having team meals with the squad.
When all that’s done, the winner can relax by the pool the next day before flying home – ready to take on the An Post Rás 2015.
While the Rás doesn’t start until May 18th in Dunboyne, Co Meath, competition 'C-Factor' begins right now.
Judging will include all Rás related material posted by 'C-Factor' competitors between now and race end. So rev up those computers, smartphones, iPods and tablets and let’s see who has the ‘C Factor’ at this year’s An Post Ras.
Three strong county men; Adam Armstrong leads former stage winner Stephen O'Sullivan and Paddy Clarke on last year's race. Who will be crowned as the 'C Factor' winner for flare on the road and online? (Photo: Brendan Slattery)
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