Cycling Ireland have confirmed that they will enter an U-23 Development Team in the upcoming FBD Insurance Rás.
Ciaran Cassidy, Stephen Halpin, Aaron Buggle, Adam Petri Armstrong and Urban Monks will make up the team for the 2.2-ranked UCI event race which begins on May 17.
'This is a relatively young U-23 Development Team,' said Cycling Ireland’s High Performance Director Phil Leigh.
'I am expecting them to focus on selected stages, whilst gaining vital stage race experience against what is turning out to be a very strong field this year.
'The U-23 Team have been selected on their performances over the early season and Easter stage race period. Ciaran Cassidy won the final stage of Ras Mumhan and finished an excellent sixth overall.
'Stephen Halpin rode strongly throughout the four days in Kerry for a fine eighth overall, while Urban Monks was in the key move on the final day and followed up with a win in the Peter Bidwell Memorial.
'Adam Petri Armstrong has been getting in the results in the north, while Aaron Buggle has demonstrated his ability to be a key team player. He also gave a good account of himself to take 15th overall in Munster over Easter.'
The Rás begins in Kilcullen, Co Kildare on Sunday week and will finish eight days later in Skerries, Co Dublin.
Riders will cover 1,289 kilometres, with teams coming from Australia, China, Norway, Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark and Britain to compete.
