There cannot be a more potent symbol of the 1916 rising that the GPO on O’Connell Street and such an iconic background was never going to be passed up by An Post when they announced their continued sponsorship of the An Post Rás for 2016 yesterday.
Beginning at Dublin Castle on May 22nd and totalling over 1200 kilometres, the route of the 2016 An Post Rás will take in stage finishes in Multyfarnham, Charleville, Dingle, Sneem, Clonakilty, Dungarvan and Baltinglass before the customary finale in Skerries.
Former World Track Champion, Martyn Irvine, was on hand to launch this year’s route alongside top Irish riders Eddie Dunbar and Bryan McCrystal, pictured above.
Irvine, who recently announced his retirement from the sport, believes the county riders will be licking their lips when they see the route.
“The Rás is unlike any other race in the world. On one side you have the international riders coming from abroad and on the other you have amateur riders here who train on this terrain all year round chomping at the bit for a win.”
“We saw it with the likes of Ian Richardson and Bryan McCrystal last year; they were putting it to the best riders from around the globe on every stage and it was great to see. I’m sure this year, after seeing the route, there will be Irish guys in the mix.”
“2016 is a massive year for An Post, with the GPO at the heart of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising,” said An Post CEO Donal Connell.
“We are sponsor of An Post Rás for the sixth year and this race, in its 64th year, is part of the history of Irish sport and Irish life.”
“It really is a case of two trusted and iconic enterprises working together to bring a great event to towns all over Ireland this May. We hope that the local public will come out to support us this year, as they have done every year.”
“By May we will have had a busy year, right through Easter,” added Barney Whelan, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs who we caught up with at the launch.
“In this year of remembering our history and our heritage, the Rás has its own importance and many infamous stories.”
“The race has thrived and survived a lot of change and continues to do so. We acknowledge the founders of the race and their vision, we are also very proud of the international stage race which the event has become – world renowned and producing quality riders year after year.”
“Those riders who are on the start line in May will have fully earned the right to be there. For domestic riders that has meant a hard winter of training. Between now and the end of March they will have to ride races in preparation, competing in them and collecting points. County riders remain a central part of the race and their presence is valued.”
“To recognise the role of the race, as part of the fabric of Irish life – sporting and otherwise, we have designed a new suite of race jerseys. While they have kept the now well-known race branding, each jersey also bears a striking graphic of Ireland and a stripe across the chest.”
“The stripe denotes the four provinces and in addition to looking very well, the new design is a tribute both to riders from all over this country and riders who travel from abroad to race and to win at Ireland’s only UCI, international stage race.”
“We reach a national and international audience with this race, on TV, online, through photography, video and social media. We have had great support from media and we keep working to give the race the profile it deserves.”
“To fly our flag just a bit, An Post won an Irish Sponsorship Award in late 2015 for Best Sport Event Sponsorship. That means we are doing something right and it gives us motivation to keep faith with the race, and continuing to support Irish Cycling.”
Image Credit: Billy Stickland / Inpho.ie
Check out all the winners from the 2015 Irish Sponsorship Awards
