The battle for this year's Kerry Group Rás Mumhan looks set to be a thrilling affair once again with the quality of the teams down to start up there with the best in recent times. In all, there are five countries represented, 26 teams from Ireland and 9 from abroad. (Photo; Pat Doherty)
By Brian Canty
The full list of teams set to compete in this year’s Kerry Group Rás Mumhan was announced today with several making their debut in the Easter weekend Irish cycling showpiece event (April 3-6th).
UK-based Continental team Cheshire JLT Condor will come to the race for the first time but they’ll be bringing an U23 squad that’s sure to include Irishman David McCarthy who is in his maiden season with them.
Advertisement
They’ll be joined by a clutch of fellow countrymen in the returning Felt Colbourne Hargroves team as well as the Champion System/VCUK Racing team who are no strangers to racing here.
A Scottish national selection will also take part while from further afield come the Dutch teams West Frisia and Ruiter Dakkapellan, respectively.
The latter two have always been big players in the race, with Ruiter Dakkapellan winning the yellow jersey as recently as 2012 through Dennis Bakker.
The Kerry Group Rás Mumhan is one of the most unpredictable and gruelling races on the domestic front; the tough terrain, stellar field and difficult conditions make it a real war of attrition. (Photo; Pat Doherty)
Related News
In all, five countries are represented on the full list of 35 teams.
They being Ireland, the UK, Scotland, the Netherlands and there’s a club team from Lithuanian returning as well.
Interesting entries from an Irish point of view are the national U23 and Munster U23 Development teams.
The Irish U23 Development squad have always done well in the race when present and there should be a right battle for places with the likes of Dylan Foley, Sean Hahessy, Sean McKenna, Daniel Stewart, Thomas Fallon, Javan Nulty and Jason Prendergast all likely to be in contention.
As regards the Munster U23 team, that opens the door for the likes of last year’s National Junior team – with the exception of Michael O’Loughlin as he’s still a junior.
But there are plenty more behind him who can step into his place.
Amazingly, and it shows the growing reputation of the race, that there’s a reserve list of 11 teams who will be considered if any of the selected teams drop out ahead.
Teams competing in the 2015 race are: Ireland under 23 Development Team; Munster under 23 Development Team; West Fresia – Holland; Ruiter Dakkapellen Weileteam-Holland; Felt Colbourne Hargroves - England; Scotland; Champion System/VCUK Racing Team-England; Cheshire JLT Condor-England; Top Team –Lithuania; Aquablue CC; Burren Race Team; UCD Cycling Club; Dungarvan Cycling Club; Orwell; Moda – Kingdom Endurance Sport; Mego Racing Team; Liquidworx Fitscience; DID Electrical Dunboyne CC; Spin 11; St Finbarr Centra/McCarthy Cycles; Team Osborne Meats/McCarthy Cycles; Waterford Racing Club; Fermoy Cycling Club; Castlebar CC; Phoenix CC; Lakeside Wheelers; STRATA3/Velo Revolution RT; An Rothar Bike Centre; Tralee Manor West; Team iBike; Killorglin CC; Killarney CC; Team Asea; Kilcullen CC; Westport CC.
Full details on www.rasmumhan.com
Topics
