New Zealand rider Myron Simpson takes victory into Blarney on last year’s An Post Ras
With just two months to go before the 2012 An Post Ras, the first international team confirmed in the line up for this year is the New Zealand U23 squad.
With many of the elite riders who featured for the Kiwis in last year’s event now occupied with their efforts to get to the London Olympics and to perform there, the New Zealanders have decided to put forward the best of their younger generation for this year’s Irish eight-day race.
“We love the An Post Ras, having had terrific experiences and success at this race. We are privileged to get the invite,” said New Zealand Olympic team manager Stephen Connell.
“The team did well last year with Aaron Gate in the white jersey and Shane Archbold in the green and a stage win with Myron Simpson. They are part of the Olympic squad this year and will be part of a road programme based in Belgium and France.”
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“With those focusing on the Games, this time round we will be sending some of the New Zealand young guns to the Rás.”
The selection travelling to Ireland has not yet been confirmed and won’t be named until much closer to the event. However, in the mix are the likes of Taylor Gunman, Dion Smith, Alex Frame, Cameron Karwowski and Scott Creighton.
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Karwowski rode the race in 2011 and will undoubtedly be in a position to impart his knowledge to the other riders regarding the challenges ahead.
Frame is another quality rider and was a double medallist in the world junior track championships in Moscow last year.
Meanwhile, Josh Atkins won the prestigious Tour of Southland while Michael Vink is the current New Zealand U23 champion.
With those pedigrees, the provisional Kiwi starters sound like the kind of riders who’ll be able to mix it up here in May.
An Post Ras director Dermot Dignam said he was delighted to unveil such a strong nation as the first of the many international squads that will be back for this year’s race.
“The New Zealand team rode very well in last year’s An Post Rás, with Shane Archbold winning the post office points classification, Aaron Gate and Archbold placing first and second in the Irish Sports Council under 23 standings and Myron Simpson winning stage five into Blarney,” he said.
“The team will feature some of the country’s best under 23 riders this time round and we believe they’ll play an important part in animating the race.”
If you missed our profile of this year’s An Post Ras route find it here.
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