CYCLING/Ras Preview: From Sunday, Golden Jubilee celebrants will be tearing around the country on glittering racing machines, fire in their eyes and sweat pumping. Fear not, the Queen Elizabeth hasn't decided to cast off the royal robes and get down to some serious sporting action; instead, it is the FBD Milk Rás which will soon be belting up a road near you.
This year marks the 50th edition of the round-Ireland stage race, which has grown beyond recognition from an initial two-day race in 1953. Almost 200 contestants from 10 countries will take part, with three professional teams and 16 other foreign squads attracted by the chance to take home some world-ranking points.
But race organiser Dermot Dignam has angrily criticised the Department of Justice after the Nigerian Lagos team were forced to pull out. The Department refused to issue the required visas for the squad despite the submission of documents in recent days which disproved their claim that the team papers were forgeries.
Dignam had received verification as to the authenticity of the Lagos squad via a number of sources, including an approach to cycling's world governing body, the UCI.
"Despite the submission of these papers the Department failed to reply to our calls and faxes in recent days," said an angry Dignam. "Their treatment of this matter, and of the team, has been shameful. It is bad enough for us here in Ireland being given the run-around over the past few weeks by our own Government officials, but it is unbelievable that five Nigerian cyclists looking forward to riding in a cycle race in Ireland were rejected for no apparent reason."
Of the visiting teams, leading the foreign charge is the Great Britain team of defending champion Paul Manning, who became the first British winner of the Rás last year. He will be backed by four strong team-mates, including one, Chris Newton, who on recent form must be considered a real favourite in his own right.
The home bid is led by a strong Team Ireland-Stena Line selection. The 1998 champion and Navigators professional Ciarán Power is a serious prospect, while Dermot Nally is also in impressive shape and is a suitable replacement for an injured Mark Scanlon. Tommy Evans, Paul Griffin and Tim Barry should all ride well.
Several other Irish riders have the ability to be in the thick of the action, but one worth singling out is the Ofoto Lombardi professional David O'Loughlin. He is riding with the Mayo Wheelers team and, on past evidence, must be considered a real contender.
As for the route, Dignam has lined up a tough week for the riders with 25 categorised climbs and almost 1,200 kilometres of racing.
The eight-day tour begins with two flat stages, a 156-kilometre race from Dublin to Ballinamore on Sunday and then 163 kilometres from Ballinamore to Nenagh. The first climbs will be encountered on the 156-kilometre third leg to Killorglin, while Wednesday's 171-kilometre mountainous stage to Castletownbere is the longest, and one of the toughest.
After a 155-kilometre leg to Arklow, the riders tackle Saturday's hellish, 153-kilometre stage from Arklow to Baltinglass.
The toughest stage of the race sees the riders tackle the first category climbs of the Devil's Glen, Sally Gap, Drumgoff and the Wicklow Gap, before plunging down towards the finish in Baltinglass.
"It is a very tough course, but I think it is only appropriate that we come up with a severe test for the 50th edition of the event," said Dignam. "The route should ensure the final outcome is unknown right up until the end, and will provide a worthy champion. It should be a great race."
