Armstrong is over moon at giant leap into national team

Tommy Campbell

AS Eurocycles launched their team in their new livery colours during the week, it was announced their team leader, Adam Armstrong, had been listed as a member of the national team for the FBD Insurance Rás which starts on Sunday week in Dunboyne.

"It will be strange to be in opposition to my colleagues on the Eurocycles Rás Team," said Adam.

"However, my manager Herbie Monks was adamant that it was recognition for the team and all the boys are behind me."

Elsewhere, entries for the Wicklow 200 are open. It's a non-competitive ride and one where the Eurocycles management and others like them will get an opportunity to flex their own muscles in the saddle.

After the FBD ras there is a moratorium for a couple of weeks, so backroom teams get the opportunity to do a bit of cycling. Entries are scheduled to close in the next couple of days.

Beautiful

The Wicklow 200 is a non- competitive cycle ride that takes place on June 13. It covers 200 kilometres around the roads of beautiful County Wicklow and attracts more than 2,000 cyclists from many different countries.

The shorter Wicklow Challenge takes place on the same day, and shares most of its route with the Wicklow 200.

The route is very challenging. It includes many climbs, big and small, with some up to a height of 500 metres.

The total climb is more than 2,000m so the event should not be taken lightly.

While every year cyclists who have never attempted such a tough challenge complete the Wicklow 200 successfully, it requires attention to training and preparation.

Starting at 7.0am, riders are allowed up to 14 hours to complete the route, although most finish well inside that.

The event is open to cyclists of any age and previous participants have included riders from 12 to almost 80 years of age, and from beginners to internationally known ex-professionals.

The Wicklow 200 is famous for its relaxed, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and for its ability to combine this with organisation of the highest standard.

The event has been organised each year since it started in 1981 by the Irish Veteran Cyclists Association and entry forms are available on the site.

This year's event will start and finish in Shoreline Leisure Centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow.