THE Phoenix cycling club are gearing up for a gruelling An Post Rás challenge.
The Belfast club will represent County Antrim for the fourth consecutive year at the prestigious event which gets under way on May 21 and runs through to May 28, covering almost 1,200 kilometres.
Phoenix members have a long history of success in the Rás with several members winning stages, wearing the coveted yellow, green and king of the mountains jerseys, and Irish Olympian and Commonwealth medallist David McCann winning the race in 2007.
David's brother Cormac McCann, a stage winner with 10 Rás finishes, is the Antrim - Phoenix team manager and has the responsibility of getting the team into tip-top shape in time for the event and he's not taking the task lightly.
“The Rás is a fabulous event. It is Ireland’s most prominent road race and attracts professional cyclists from right across the globe,'' said Cormac, also a former Commonwealth Games medal winner and Irish Olympian.
“Phoenix CC is honoured to represent County Antrim again as the Rás offers the opportunity for our top cyclists to raise their game and test themselves against many of the best upcoming cyclists in the world.
“There are significant costs involved in entering a team in the Ras and we are always open to the offer of new sponsorship for the team. ”
While the Rás represents the elite of the sport club secretary, Brendan McCartan was however quick to point out that Phoenix Cycling Club is about much more.
“The club draws its membership from all over Belfast and beyond and we cater for a wide range of capabilities and experience,'' he said.
“We cater for all cyclists, male and female, from the very young to the not so young and have members from as young as five, in our “Phoenix Sparks” group, to others in their 80’s who still go out on Club Runs from the House of Sport on Saturday/Sunday mornings.
“We have a current membership of close to 400 and can cater for every type of cyclist out there and those that want to start cycling again.
“It’s never too late and the popularity of cycling has gone off the gauge over the past 10 years.
“It is beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing and the craic is mighty, you become addicted in no time.”
Julie Rea from the women’s section of the club added: “We have a significant number of females actively involved in the club and the camaraderie is just fantastic, but we’re not only involved for the fun of it (although that’s very much part of cycling in a club).
“We have had a lot of success in recent years in Provincial/National competitions. Claire McIlwaine won the green jersey for best county rider in the Ras na mBan in 2016 and she also won the National Cycling League. Gill Smith won the Ulster Cyclocross league.
“We have women competing over all disciplines; road racing, time trials and Cyclocross and a very active leisure section.
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Trips to Mallorca for warm-weather training are an annual occurrence and our plans for 2017 include new girls racing.”
For more information on the Phoenix Ras Team’s preparation for the An Post Ras see https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixRas and for information on the club (including how to join) see http://www.phoenixcc.net
Stage 1: Sunday May 21: Dublin to Longford (146.1 kilometres)
Stage 2: Monday May 22: Longford to Newport (142.9 kilometres)
Stage 3: Tuesday May 23: Newport to Bundoran (149 kilometres)
Stage 4: Wednesday May 24: Bundoran to Buncrana (151.8 kilometres)
Stage 5: Thursday May 25: Buncrana to Dungloe (181.2 kilometres)
Stage 6: Friday May 26: Dungloe to Donegal (132.1 kilometres)
Stage 7: Saturday May 27: Donegal to Ardee (167.3 kilometres)
Stage 8: Sunday May 28: Ardee to Skerries (129.4 kilometres)
