| |
|
|
Gabriel Howard, Legendary Figure In Irish Cycling
 |
| Nicholas Roche being interviewed by his good friend Gabriel Howard |
‘Everybody knew Gaybo the length and breadth of the country and beyond’ - Gabriel Howard, a legendary figure in Irish cycling, passed away earlier this month following a farm accident, writes Paul Fitzpatrick
The 1963 Rás Tailteann, the 12th renewal of the race, was groundbreaking. In first place was Zbigniew Glowaty of Poland, the first non-Irish champion, who beat Kerry’s Dan Ahern into second.
Behind him in sixth was Christy Kimmage, father of future Tour De France rider and leading journalist Paul. And way back, clinging on to a friend on a service motorcycle, was a man whose name would become synonymous with the annual event and the sport of cycling itself — Gabriel ‘Gaybo’ Howard, from Stamullen, Co Meath. More>>>
The 2018 Rás Route
 |
| The 2018 Rás Route |
Rás Tailteann route 2018 (UCI 2.2 race)
Stage 1, Sunday May 20: Drogheda to Athlone, 136 kms:
Stage 2, Monday May 21: Athlone to Tipperary, 148.7 kms:
Stage 3, Tuesday May 22: Tipperary to Listowel, 140.4 kms:
Stage 4, Wednesday May 23: Listowel to Glengariff, 153 kms:
Stage 5, Thursday May 24: Glengarriff to Mitchelstown, 150.2 kms:
Stage 6, Friday May 25: Mitchelstown to Carlow, 154.6 kms:
Stage 7, Saturday May 26: Carlow to Naas, 141.2 kms:
Stage 8, Sunday May 27: Naas to Skerries, 144.6 kms:
Total: 1180.5 kms
More>>>
The Late Gabriel Howard
 |
| The Late Gabriel Howard |
More>>>
Ras Tailteann Still Seeking A New Sponsor For 2018
 |
| Eimear Dignam |
Having learned earlier this year that An Post was stepping away after many years of backing the race, the organisers of the Rás Tailteann have said that they are still seeking a new backer for the 2018 edition.
“We are still looking for a sponsor,” Eimear Dignam told the Irish Times on Thursday. “We have had talks with a couple of different prospective sponsors, but so far nothing has come from that.
“We are looking for title sponsors, but if we are not successful with that, we are happy with two or three sponsors to come in as a unit.”
The race has been a part of Irish sport since 1953 and is the biggest cycling event in the country. It is a world-ranked event on the UCI calendar and has played an important part in the development of many successful riders, including world champions such as Stephen Roche and Tony Martin. More>>>
Gerry Keogh Stage Winner In His First Rás Tailteann
 |
| The Late Gerry Keogh |
Ratoath native Gerry Keogh, who died in Dublin recently, was a prominent cyclist at a time when Meath riders were enjoying considerable success nationally, in the 1950’s. A native of Halltown on the Skyrne Road Ratoath, he lived in Clonsilla, and was aged 91 when he passed away at Connolly Memorial Hospital Blanchardstown on the 16th November 2015.
Working in Dublin as a young man, he began his cycling career with The National Cycling Club in his twenties. He worked in Allied Irish Finance alongside Kerry cyclist, Gene Mangan, having earlier worked at construction, including operating what was then Ireland’s biggest crane at the building of the church in Finglas.
He took part in his first Rás Tailteann in 1955, and won the sixth stage, a testing 88 mile spin from Cork to Tralee over mountainous terrain. He was in an eight-man breakaway group for nearly 100 miles before breaking away on his own in the closing stages to win by 10 seconds from Gene Mangan, Kerry who was the outright winner. More>>>
Tony Campbell Resignes As Ras Director
 |
| Tony Campbell |
Race Organiser of An Post Rás/Rás Tailteann for the past five years Tony Campbell has resigned from the position. Citing “personal reasons” Campbell informed Dermot Dignam, Chairperson of the promoting club, Cumann Rás Tailteann, of his decision.
More>>>
Campbell Continues As Rás Chief
 |
| Tony Campbell |
Cumann Rás Tailteann Cycling Club has confirmed Tony Campbell as organiser of the 2018 8 day international cycle race, An Rás Tailteann. This will be Campbell’s sixth year in charge of the race. Campbell said he’s honoured to be continuing in the position and is looking forward to the challenges ahead. He expects next year’s race to take place from 20th to 27th May, a date to be confirmed by Union Cycliste Internationale,
Club Chairman, Dermot Dignam, heads up a sponsorship committee tasked with attracting a new sponsor to replace An Post which had to end its seven year involvement due to current financial difficulties. The committee includes Tony Campbell, Eimear Dignam and Noel Candon. Dignam thanked An Post for its great sponsorship and current support in seeking a new sponsor More>>>
James Gullen Britain JLT Condor Takes The 2017 An Post Rás Title
 |
| James Gullien Britain JLT Condor With The George Plant Trophy After His Victory On The Rás |
More>>>
An Post Rás 2017 Overall Results
[ Download/View File ]
An Post Rás Stage 8 Pictures Ardee To Skerries
 |
| Przemyslaw Kasperkiewich An Post Chain Reaction Wins The Final Stage Of The 2017 An Post Rás In Skerries Wearing The Mountain Leaders Jersey |
More>>>
|
|
| |
