Dunboyne prepares for An Post Ras
With the DID Cycle4Life getting underway in Dunboyne this morning, the town will again be the centre of cycling attention on Sunday 19th May when the opening stage of the 2013 An Post Rás gets underway. With a plethora of international teams already confirmed to compete, it is set to be one of the most eagerly contested editions to date. Meath locals came out in their droves to cheer on the field of riders at the start line last year and new An Post Rás organiser Tony Campbell is expecting a similar send off.
“The locals in Dunboyne have always given a fantastic reception and send off and I´m sure this year will be no different. All the riders will be keen to get off to a good start and I´m sure there will be plenty of jostling for that opening stage victory. Furthermore, local riders will be desperate to claim that first ever county rider jersey, so that will bring another element of excitement to the day´s racing.”
The ceremonial start gets underway at 12.30pm and the riders will make their way 135 kilometres across the country, through Cavan, to the first stage finish that afternoon in Longford Town. Campbell is expecting the riders to set a fast and ferocious pace on the first day of action.
“Riders will be fresh and raring to go, so I can see the first stage finishing in a bunch sprint. Teams are always eager to put their stamp on the race early, so there´s no doubt the first stage will be enthralling to watch”.
Campbell has also called on locals along the route to support the riders as they pass through the county.
“I think every year the An Post Rás gets more competitive. It is not every day you get you to see riders of this calibre from all over the world on your doorstep so I would encourage local communities, especially schools, to come out and cheer on the peloton as they make their way along the route.”
The eight day international cycling road race takes place from May 19th to 26th and as well as the global feel to the event the emphasis will again be on national, regional and top level sponsored amateur cycling teams. This year also sees the addition of a new county rider jersey for the best amateur cyclist on each stage.
An Post have partnered up with RTÉ for the famous race and cycling fans eager to follow the action can log on to www.rte.ie/anpostras for exclusive rider interviews, highlights from each stage, results and classification standings. Regular updates are also available on www.anpostras.ie
Stage 1, Sunday May 19th Dunboyne – Longford, 135kms
Kms | Location | Time |
0.0 | Dunboyne | 12.30 |
25.2 | Trim | 13.07 |
40.0 | Athboy | 13.30 |
61.5 | Slieve an Callaigh KOM | 14.02 |
84.0 | Ballyjamesduff | 14.36 |
107.8 | Granard Town | 15.11 |
120.5 | Ballinalee | 15.30 |
131.1 | Longford | 15.46 |
135.4 | Finish line at start of Annaly Hotel facing Courthouse | 15.53 |