An Post Rás enforce A2 Category entry to 2016 Race

An Post Rás enforce A2 Category entry to 2016 Race

An Post Chain Reaction start race season in France

An Post Rás Race Director, Tony Campbell has taken measures to ensure that all Irish competitors in this year’s race will be of sufficiently high standard, saying that he has reached an agreement with Cycling Ireland over the matter.

“Last year A3 and A4 riders were upgrading to A2 in order to ride the Rás, but hadn’t shown themselves in races,” he states. “They simply were not of the necessary standard.

“We want to stop that this year. I’ve spoke to Cycling Ireland about it and they have agreed that no rider will be able to walk into the office and request an upgrade in order to satisfy the requirements to get into the Rás.”

Campbell previously introduced a rule that all Irish riders lining out in the event must be either categorised as A1 or A2.

However some of those who competed last year circumvented this rule by requesting an upgrade even though they didn’t have the necessary points. This will no longer be possible, ensuring that those on the start line in May will have had to have fully earned the right to be there.

“Guys will not get into the Rás unless they earn the points to be capable of riding around it,” he warns.

“Between here and the end of March, they have to be riding races, competing in them and collecting points.”

An Post Rás is unique in that it is one of the few international UCI races to allow amateurs to take part. Held over eight days, it features an international peloton that includes professional riders, and is the toughest race on the Irish calendar.

Campbell underlines that county riders remain an important part of the race and are valued. He wants there to be an ongoing county rider presence, but says the work needs to be done to ensure they reach the start line with the necessary physical condition.

“With the rolling road closures, the police simply cannot cover bunches 25 minutes down the road”

This year’s race will run between May 22^nd and 29^th. The route will be announced in February, with the identities of the international teams to be revealed after that.

It is the season opener for the An Post Chain Reaction team as they gear up for their maiden race of 2016, in the single-day French race GP d’Ouverture La Marseillaise (1.1) this Sunday, 31^st of January.

The Irish based outfit look to be in a strong position heading into the 152 kilometre race, having no fresh injury concerns coming off the back of a warm-weather training camp in Calpe, Spain.

Irish duo, Jack Wilson and Connor McConvey are named as part of an exciting An Post Chain Reaction team and both look poised to make an impact on the race at the weekend. Wilson, who will be enjoying his fourth season in the green jersey of An Post, was in a confident mood ahead of Sunday’s race, feeling re-energised after long absence through injury.

“Last year, I was quite unlucky with a few crashes and I took a few bad injuries. This year, I’m hungry and motivated to get back to my best. Kurt (Bogaerts) put us through our paces over in Calpe and I feel that will stand to me this weekend. I want to try and put some consistent races in and to hopefully put myself in a position to get some good results throughout the season. I can’t wait to get that buzz back and I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

The An Post Chain Reaction team race next at the five-day road race Etoile de Bessèges (2.1), taking place between the 3^rd and 7^th of February.

An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team in action at GP d’Ouverture La Marseillaise (1.1) in France, Sunday 31st January.

Jack Wilson (IRE)

Connor McConvey (IRE)

Emiel Wastyn (BEL)

Jacob Scott (GB)

Jasper Bovenhuis (NED)

Nicolas Vereecken (BEL)

Oliver Kent-Spark (AUS)

Calvin Watson (AUS)