FBD Insurance is returning as a sponsor of the Rás Tailteann, 12 years after it was last involved with one of Irish cycling’s most iconic events.

Race organisers Cáirde Rás Tailteann announced their return yesterday as the sponsor of the daily stage winner’s jersey for the race which gets underway on June 15th and will take in five days of racing.

“We are thrilled that FBD have decided to again support this iconic Irish event”, said Race Director Gerard Campbell.

“FBD Insurance have played a significant role in the history of this race. Their historical contribution and support in the development of the sporting institution that is An Rás Tailteann was instrumental in lifting the event into a fully-fledged, world-ranked UCI grade 2.2 event.”

“We are delighted that this esteemed Irish business has again decided to support An Rás Tailteann as it emerges again after its forced postponement due to the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.”

FBD sponsored the race in partnership with the Irish Daily Council for 20 years between 1984 and 2004 before taking it over in full for six seasons. An Post then sponsored up until 2017 when they exited.

The race ran in 2018 using reserves it had built up but a failure to find a sponsor meant the 2019 event was cancelled and then Covid took it down for the last two years.

FBD Insurance never left the sporting arena, maintaining a partnership with Connacht GAA and then as the main commercial partner of the Olympic Federation of Ireland in the run-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“FBD has a proud tradition of supporting communities through our extensive branch network,” said Chief Commercial Officer John Cahalan.

“As the sport of cycling continues to grow in Ireland, our renewed involvement in such a prestigious event is a further demonstration of our commitment to the communities in which we operate.”

The 67th edition of the race takes place between June 15th and 19th and will again travel clockwise around Ireland with stage finishes in Horse and Jockey, Castleisland, Lisdoonvarna, and Kilbeggan, before starting the final stage in Kinnegad to the finishing circuit in the seaside town of Blackrock, Co. Louth. Riders will cover 756km with 8 categorised climbs which will act as a platform for attacking riders to battle it out for the coveted Rás yellow jersey.

Further sponsorship announcements are expected in the coming weeks as well as more detail about the teams and riders that will be taking part from Ireland and overseas.

 

 

Sport for Business Partners