Local riders out in support of An Post Rás in Ballina
Brilliant news for Ballina, as the launch of the 2015 An Post Rás took place last night in the Jackie Clarke Ballina. Stages 5 and 6 will take place in the town on Thursday 21st of May and Friday the 22nd of May respectively as the event looks set to get your pulses racing.
The announcement is fantastic news for Ballina and the surrounding Mayo North area as a sprint finish is expected to excite fans at stage 5. The international acclaimed event is a huge attraction for visitors heading into the tourist season as the event will be a tremendous spectacle, broadcast internationally with great coverage for the local area.
The Rás was launched last night by Kevin Connoly, Chairman of the Ballina Chamber of Commerce and long-time cycling enthusiast and stage director Jimmy Durcan who welcomed the reception of the Rás by all the community groups working together in the town as well as the Civil Defence, sponsors An Post, Gardai, Lions club and Moy Valley Recourses IRD.
There was a tremendous buzz at the well-attended launch as local rider Paddy Clarke was on hand to explain the magnitude of the event in the elite cyclist’s calendar. Speaking to Irish TV on the night Clarke commented on the ‘huge opportunity and prestige’ associated with competing on behalf of the Liquid Worx/Fitscience team and the tremendous honour of taking part in such a big event in his hometown of Ballina. His team of 5 riders have been in intense preparation for the event with rigorous training sessions and practices and are all looking forward to the huge challenge ahead.
Chairman of Ballina cycling club James Wright also paid tribute to the race organizers and the immense excitement of being part of such a highly acclaimed sports event in Ballina.
‘We are really excited about the race and the support it is receiving is really tremendous. We hope that everyone in the area and beyond will get out and support the Rás, cheer on our local riders and bring all the family out for the big day, it promises to be a great spectacle for the town of Ballina and surrounding North Mayo areas’
