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BRC Bound For Donegal Hills
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The very popular
Ras Dhun na nGall takes place around Ardara on the last weekend of May. This
year there has been a marked rise in the number of entries as the news gets
around about the excellence of this event.
Those needing accommodation
are advised to book as soon as possible.
The best way to do
this is by contacting the event’s accommodation officer, Nora on 00353 872828793 or drop an email at
braehouse@eircom.net leaving your contact details and your requirements. Available
accommodation is down on last year and numbers requiring accommodation are up
so give Nora a ring a.s.a.p. if you need accommodation.
C Grant, BRC’s "kit man” is co-ordinating the
local club’s entry for this event. He outlined the details "Ballymena
Road Club – Chain Reaction Cycles - have entered a six man team for one of
Ireland’s toughest stage races…the Ras Dhun na nGall or Donegal Ras.
The event promoted by Four Masters Cycling Club will
take place from May 31st to June 2nd and includes
three tough road stages and a time trial. HQ for the team is Ardara
in Donegal, and crucially the race will include the brutally tough climb of
Glengesh Mountain Pass with gradients of up to 20 per cent.
The Ballymena squad are: Karl Taylor, Connor Young,
Simon Taggart, Mike Carroll, Matthew Brennan and C. Grant.
Karl Taylor had this to say about the upcoming race…
"The Ras Donegal has been a target for the boys for some time now. It’s a
massive event for us all and certainly the biggest race I have ever done! The peloton
will have 180 riders from all four corners of Ireland so it’s definitely going
to be fast and furious. It’s my first attempt at a stage race but all of us are
determined to do ourselves and Ballymena Road Club proud.”
Matthew Brennan and Connor Young are the two
youngest members of the squad. Matthew has ridden the race twice before, both
times representing Cycling Ulster. The 20 year old commented "This
is my third time at the Ras Donegal but my first in Ballymena colours. It will
be tough again this year but stage races and the mountainous parcours suit my
style of riding and I’m hoping to place well on GC.”
Seventeen year old Connor has also represented Cycling
Ulster this season and is looking forward to his first major stage race.
Commenting on his race ambitions Connor said "It's great to be
riding the race with such a good bunch of lads. We have a squad of riders
suited to all terrains and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do on the
big climbs."
Simon Taggart is also hopeful of a good result
having proved his stage race credentials by riding strongly in last year’s
‘Tour of the North’ and the Blair International Transport Red Hand Trophy.
Simon said "The climb of Glengesh is definitely going to be tough but I’m
hoping to peak my form at the right time and put in a good performance for the
club”.
Mike Carroll is the ‘veteran’ rider of the squad but
has been in the form of his life recently. Already this season he has won an
open race and placed well in several others, gaining enough points to upgrade
toA2 status. He also won the club’s first ten mile time trial of the season
last Wednesday night. Mike said "My form at the start of the season
has been really good and I will be hoping to carry it through to Donegal. We
all know each other really well and we will work as a team to defend anyone who
is well placed in general classification. It should be a good weekend!”
The squad will travel to and from Donegal in the
Ballymena Team’s events’ vehicle and have arranged to stay in a local Bed &
Breakfast near to race HQ in Ardara. Karl extended this invite to club members
- "There is limited space on the minibus, but if anyone from the club wishes to
come along and act as soigneur for the weekend or simply to watch the race,
please get in touch!” He added "the B & B is €35 per person per night so
it’s reasonably priced and I’m sure it will be a fantastic weekend. This is a
big deal for the squad and it would be great to see some support on the
roadside”