Midlands cycling team gears up for Rás challenge

A cycling team from the Midlands is set to compete in the prestigious Rás Tailteann later this month.

The team is comprised of some of the best racing cyclists who compete in the Midland Interclub League (MIL).

The MIL is a summer race league open to riders in clubs based in the Midlands, including Athlone’s Shannonside CC.

The other clubs include Tullamore Cycling & Touring Club, Lynx CC, Lakeside Wheelers CC, Streamstown CC, Longford CC, Esker CC and Laois CC.

Graham O’Brien of Shannonside CC and Colin Clavin of Streamstown CC are two of the cyclists who are part of the Midlands team.

The main goal for the team is to compete in the prestigious Rás Tailteann later this month. The Rás Tailteann is the biggest stage race in the Irish racing calendar, taking place between May 17th and 21st, attracting international teams as well as the best Irish cycling teams.

The team competed in the Gorey international bike race over the Easter weekend, with riders from the team also getting results in the Waller Cup, Mondello race series and the Castlebar GP. And they will be aiming to be in top form 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 and Cycle Right Cycles. The team is also thankful to Nolan Engineering for sponsoring casual gear, and to 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 involved for their support in funding and organising the team.