Cycling Ulster has named a very strong team for next month’s Rás Tailteann, with five riders who are capable of winning stages in any scenario and targeting the yellow jersey.
John Buller (AC Bisontine), Darnell Moore (Caldwell Cycles), Gareth O’Neill (Caldwell Cycles), Matthew Teggart (Wiv SunGod) and Lindsay Watson (Powerhouse Sport) comprise the Ulster selection, which will be managed by the very experienced Barry Monaghan, a former international rider.
Teggart has just won his third round, of three, at the Cycling Ireland National Road Series, with his victory on Sunday at the Meath GP following on from his wins in Limerick and Carlow earlier in the season.
Watson has been in great form this year and claimed the biggest win of his career when he took the opening stage at Kerry Group Rás Mumhan and defended the yellow jersey all the way to capture the GC crown.
Moore has been ever-present in the results this year – and in all recent seasons – winning the Tour of Ards in April. A man for the big occasion, he is a former Irish hill climb champion, cyclocross champion, U23 road race champion, silver medal winner in the elite road title race and medalist in the Irish criterium championships.
O’Neill – another of the Caldwell Cycles riders known for taking on races very aggressively – has already won the Carn Classic and Boyne GP this year.
Buller, who is based in France this year, is the reigning Irish U23 road race champion and the last time he rode a national tour in Ireland, the Junior Tour, he won stage with his renowned sprint.
The five riders make a formidable unit, with Teggart the most experienced. He has won a stage on Rás Tailteann and worn the yellow jersey already during his career; while it was a UCI-ranked race in 2017 while an An Post-Chainreaction rider.
“I am delighted that we have the opportunity to have such a strong Cycling Ulster team take part in this year’s Rás Tailteann,” team manager Monaghan said of the selection he will take charge of next month.
“There was a great response from riders earlier in the year when the road commission announced our intention to take part in the event and selecting the team was a difficult task due to the high standard of riders in the province.
“Each of the riders picked has the potential to do well on stages and the overall so I am looking forward to the race and seeing what we can achieve on the road. I want to thank our sponsors, O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors and Donnelly Group as well as all the volunteers in Cycling Ulster for their continued support.”
