News that the Germans and Austrians are coming to Rás 2013 strengthens the international field
The strength of the international challenge in the An Post Rás next month is continuing to emerge, with news today that another two strong teams will be on the start line in the shape of the Austrian Pro Gerbrudur Weiss team and the German Bike Aid team.
Austrian rider Andreas Müller (33), who finished a close second to Martyn Irvine in the scratch race at the World Track Championships, has been confirmed as part of the Austrian squad’s line up.
The Austrians are no strangers to the Rás, having ridden the race in 2009 and 2010. Jan Barta was third overall in 2009. The following year Joseph Kugler was third on stage five to Seskin Hill and temporarily moved up to second overall before eventually finishing 13th after fading on the climbs in Wicklow on the penultimate stage.
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Team manager Erwin Hortl said his riders were out for success this year, treating the race as a key goal for the season.
“Our goal is to continue the team’s performance from our last start in 2010. We want to achieve a good race and we will try to get onto the podium,” he said.
The team’s captain for the race will be Benjamin Edmüller, a 25-year-old who last year was second on a stage of the Tour of Slovakia. He will be joined by Müller, 2011 Giro di Festina runner-up Adam Homolka (34), Jakub Kratochvila (24) and Alexander Schrangl (27).
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As preparation for the Irish showdown, the team will compete in some rounds of the Austrian Tschibo-Cup, then go on to ride the 2.2-ranked GP of Adydea in Russia and the 1.2-ranked GP of Sencur in Slovenia.
Meanwhile, the German Bike Aid team made their debut in the race last year and took second place on stage seven in to Cootehill with Kai Exner. This time around, the team will comprise Matthias Schnapka, Timo Schäfer, Richard Stockhausen, Philipp Becker and Karsten Keunecke.
“The team goals are to go for some stage podiums, and hopefully stage wins, plus a top fifteen finish in the general classification,” said Schäfer.
Along with Karsten Keunecke, Schäfer will be the leader for the overall title race. Becker will be the designated sprinter.
The team has been riding UCI races in Europe as part of its preparation, competing in the Tour of Algeria and riding in three Danish races this month. The five-stage Fleche du Sud in Luxembourg will be part of its final build-up.
News that the Austrians and Germans are riding the Rás follows confirmation of the participation of Danish squad Blue Water Cycling, the Czech Republic’s AC Sparta Praha and the Canadian national team.
An Post Rás race director Tony Campbell said he believes the foreign challenge was now shaping up very nicely.
“Having already announced squads from Canada, the Czech Republic and Denmark, the news about the Austria Pro Gerbrudur Weiss and the Germany Bike Aid teams bring the number of foreign teams to five so far. More teams will be confirmed between now and the start of the race.”
“The line-up is going to be excellent this year and we really look forward to seeing what the Austrian and German teams announced today can do.”
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