Local team competing in Rás Tailteann

A midlands cycling team will compete in this year's Rás Tailteann, which begins today, on Wednesday.

Rás Tailteann 2023 officially began from the gates of Bective Stud, Meath at midday, where a fan zone was erected to mark the occasion. Spectators had the opportunity to attend and catch a close-up glimpse of the riders, and to experience the nervous energy ahead of the Grand Départ.

Stuart Cox of the Lakside Wheelers Cycling Club, Mullingar, and Colin Clavin (Streamstown CC), will be joined by David Casserly (Longford CC), Shane Quinn (Longford CC) and Graham O'Brien (Shannonside CC) will take part in the prestigious race.

These are of some of the best racing cyclists who compete in the Midland inter club League (MIL), a summer race league open to riders in midland based clubs Tullamore CC, Shannonside CC, Lynx CC, Lakeside Wheelers CC, Streamstown CC, Longford CC, Esker CC and Laois CC.

The main goal for the team is to be competitive in the event and learn from the experience of this year's Rás Tailteann, which is the biggest stage race in the Irish racing calendar. The race finishes on Sunday, May 21 and is attracting international teams as well as the best Irish cycling teams.

The midlands team has competed in the Gorey international bike race over the Easter weekend, with team riders also getting results in the Waller Cup, Mondello race series and the Castlebar GP and are sure to be in top from for the Rás.

A management team has also come on board from the MIL committee consisting of team manager Jim Maguire, team mechanic Tom Farrell, and assistants Donagh McArdle, Jim O'Roarke, Steve Franzoni and Dermot Milner.

The main sponsors for the team are OE Bikes, Tullamore Cycle Centre, Buckley's Cycles, Cycle Right Cycles. Thanks also to Nolan Engineering for sponsoring the casual gear, O’Reilly Nissan Longford and O’Brien’s Renault, Mullingar for supplying support vehicles. Special thanks to all those from the midland league and the cycling clubs on which it is formed for their support in funding and organising the team.

The 68th edition of the race will travel clockwise around Ireland with stage finishes in Birr, Ennis, Castlebar and Monaghan before starting the final stage to a finishing circuit in the seaside town of Blackrock, Co. Louth. Riders will cover 768km with 14 categorised climbs which will act as a platform for attacking riders to battle it out for the coveted Rás yellow jersey.