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| Kerry's Eugene Moriarty riding for Ireland last year. |
The honour of being the first team to declare its riders for the FBD Insurance RÁS, which starts from Dublin on 22nd May, goes to the California based McGuire Cycling Team.
The team is lead by 25 year old Dan O’Sullivan and includes former Irish international Emmet Hogan. O’Sullivan, a relative newcomer to the sport, surprised many by a great win in the Cascade Cycling Classic last year, he is also an accomplished time trialist with many course records to his credit.
Galwayman, Hogan, represented Ireland before emigrating to the States and now races full time with the McGuire team mainly in California. A good all-round bike rider, Hogan, now 26 years of age, is focussed on making the breakthrough to top class international cycling by an impressive performance in the FBD Insurance RÁS.
The youngest member of the squad is 18 year old Max Spirin. A talented climber Spirin notched up 5 major wins and 11 podium appearances last year as well as an impressive debut in the US National Junior Championships.
The team is completed by 28 year old Aaron Beardsley and Fred Stamm. At 19 Stamm is another rider with a bright future ahead having gained valuable experience in National and International multi-stage races over the past few years.
The race, sponsored by FBD Insurance, starts from the GPO on Sunday 22nd May and after stage finishes in Emyvale, Tubbercurry, Lisdoonvarna, Templemore, Abbeyleix, Rathdrum, and Wiclow finishes in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 29th. The race also receives financial support from the Irish Sports Council.
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| '04 Oranmore win for Germany's Stefan Cohnen |
