Even with out Irish star Eddie Dunbar, NFTO are ready to challenge for the win at the An Post RAS
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Team News – NFTO Ready for RAS
NFTO start the 63rd edition of the UCI 2.2, An Post Ras Race today with a strong five man team. The race covers 1180kms throughout Ireland and looks certain to provide a challenging test. Included in the 8-day stage race are 21 categorised climbs, including two category two climbs, Altinure and Moyer.
The action gets underway on Sunday May 17 in Dunboyne, Co. Meath with stage finishes in Carlow, Tipperary, Bearna, Newport, Ballina, Ballinamore, Drogheda and finishing in Skerries.
Speaking to the team captain Rob Partridge he gave some thoughts on the race. “It’s a good race, there’s some strong teams going as well including some international conti teams so the level of racing is high. It’s a race for the hard men. Its like eight one day races consecutively as there’s only five rider teams, so there’s not usually that much control, so you have to be switched on.â€
NFTO come into the race with that in mind and selected a strong team. Ian Bibby and Rob Partridge have raced in the RAS last year and come into the race with good form after some hard races between them recently including, Tour of Yorkshire, Wilton and first round of the Tour Series.
Tom Barras had a recent call up for the race due to injuries and illness within the team, but is raring to go. He has been training hard post Tour of Yorkshire, so is fresh after some solid racing. Under the direction of his father, the legendary Sid Barras, it will hopefully be a match made in heaven.
James ‘Tank’ Lewis and Rhys Lloyd add some fresh legs and grit to the team. Both are eager to get to the race and show their strength and help NFTO get some great results over the week.
The team comes into the Ras with one notable member of the team missing from the line-up, Eddie Dunbar who had this race earmarked as a big goal for the year before he suffered a broken collarbone at Tour of Yorkshire. He will be there roadside cheering on the boys, but it’s sad he cant be there hitting it on his home soil.
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