Irish UCI Continental team EvoPro Racing has named an all-Irish team for Rás Tailteann, which gets underway next Wednesday, June 15th.
Conn Mc Dunphy, Tom Moriarty, Liam Curley, Mitchell McLaughlin and Cian Keogh make up the team for the race’s return edition. While all are capable of getting up the road and aiming for big results, McDunphy is by far the most experience and he and Curley rode very strongly at Ronde de l'Oise last week.
They survived in the peloton, and joined the attacks at times, on the days when the main field was whittled down by half. Keogh also rode very well at the recent Antwerp Port Epic. McLaughlin and Moriarty have been getting their first proper taste of international racing this season and the Rás will allow them to gauge their progress.
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Race director Ger Campbell, who is leading the Cáirde Rás Tailteann group organising this year’s race, said EvoPro Racing’s selection was one that could really add to the racing next week, under the stewardship of directeur Morgan Fox.
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“It is great to see this group of Irish riders evolving and we look forward to some solid performances during the race from them," he said. "No doubt they will be ones to watch considering their experience and results at home and abroad these last few seasons; definitely a team that will be chasing stage and overall honours.”
The Irish national team has also been confirmed, with no changes to the initial line-up announced. Rory Townsend, Dean Harvey, Archie Ryan, Adam Ward and Paul Antoine Hagan will all don the green of Ireland in the five-stage race, making for a very strong unit.
Campbell said the inclusion of an national team in the Rás was part of the race’s identity. “The Irish team always acquits itself well and we don’t expect anything less this year,” he said.
“We think that this team has the prerequisites for both stage and overall honours, we just have to wait and see how they assess their fellow competitors and adapt their game plan according to how the race unfolds.”
From England, Cycling Sheffield is also sending a team comprised of Will Harding, Joe Coukham, George Wood, James McKay and James Hawkins.
