UCD Cycling Club are looking for vocal support to cheer its riders on as they take on the big guns in the 2010 Rás Tailteann 8 day international stage race from May 23rd to 30th.

The race is made up of 10 professional teams – 3 British PRO teams and one each from the following countries Austria, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Spain and Sweden. The top amateur teams include the Irish National Team, Ireland Development U23 Team as well as opposition from USA, New Zealand, Wales and Isle of Man.

There are also 15 county teams competing in the 2010 Rás: Co. Armagh, Co. Down, Co. Cork, Co. Limerick, Co. Mayo, Co. Tipperary & Co. Wexford, two each from Co. Kildare and Co. Meath, and four Dublin based clubs, including UCD. The Belfield based team is the sole student club entered in this professional ranked event.

The UCD team consists of Fiachra Rowan, Colm Cassidy, Ciarán Ó Conluain, Fergus Ryan and Anthony Walsh wearing numbers 116-120 respectively.

 For those interested in following the stage race,  details are below:

Stage 1, May 23rd, Dunboyne – Dundalk, 149 kilometres

Stage 2, May 24th, Dundalk – Carrick On Shannon, 155 kilometres

Stage 3, May 25th, Carrick On Shannon – Oughterard, 171 kilometres

Stage 4, May 26th, Oughterard – Tipperary, 169 kilometres

Stage 5, May 27th, Tipperary – Carrick On Suir, 175 kilometres

Stage 6, May 28th, Carrick On Suir – Gorey, 127 kilometres

Stage 7, May 29th, Gorey – Kilcullen, 154 kilometres

Stage 8, May 30th, Kilcullen – Skerries, 140 kilometres

STAGE 1, SUNDAY 23Rd MAY, DUNBOYNE – DUNDALK 149 KMS.

Dunboyne, Ratoath, Curragha, Slane Category 3 KOM & Hot Spot Sprint, Collen Hot Spot Sprint, Ardee, Tallanstown, Louth, Dundalk, Carlingford Hot Spot Sprint, Omeath, Long Womans Grave Category 2 KOM, The Bush, Dundalk.

STAGE 2, MONDAY 24Th MAY, DUNDALK – CARRICK-ON-SHANNON 155KMS.

Dundalk, Castleblaney, Ballybay, Swans Cross Roads, Newbliss, Clones, Belturbet, Ballyconnell, Bawnboy, Bellavalley Gap Category 2 KOM, Glangevlin, Dowra, Drumshambo, Leitrim, Carrick-On-Shannon.

STAGE 3, TUESDAY 25Th MAY CARRICK-ON-SHANNON – OUGHTERARD 171KMS

Carrick-On-Shannon, Frenchpark, Castlerea, Ballinlough, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Hollymount, Ballinrobe, Neale, Cong, Clonbur, Finny, Gowlaun Category 3 KOM, Tir na Cille Category 2 KOM, Maum, Maam Cross, Oughterard.

STAGE 4, WEDNESDAY 26Th MAY, OUGHTERARD – TIPPERARY 169KMS.

Oughterard, Moycullen, Galway, Oranmore, Clarenbridge, Kilcolgan, Ardrahan, Gort, Dromindoora, Killanena Category 3 KOM, Knockanena Category 3 KOM, Scariff, Tuamgraney, Killaloe, Ballina, Birdhill, Newport, Murroe, Boher, Pallasgreen, Oola,  Tipperary.

STAGE 5, THURSDAY 27Th MAY, TIPPERARY – SESKIN HILL (CARRICK-ON-SUIR) 157KMS.

Tipperary, Lattin, Emly, Knocklong, Elton, Kilmallock, Ardpatrick, Kildorrey, Glanworth, Fermoy, Ballyduff, Lismore, Cappoquinn, The Pike Category 3 KOM, Lemybrien, Seskin Hill Category 1 KOM.

STAGE 6, FRIDAY 28Th MAY, CARRICK-ON-SUIR – GOREY, 127KMS.

Carrick-On-Suir, Kilmaganny, Newmarket, Knocktopher, Thomastown, Gowran, Goresbridge, Borris, Garryhill Cross, Knockdramagh Category 3 KOM, The Heights Category 2 KOM, Corrabutt Gap Category 1 KOM, Bunclody, Corragh Category 3 KOM, Carnew 3 KOM, Monaseed Category 3 KOM, Hollyfort, Laraheenhill Category 3 KOM, (Inch), Gorey.

STAGE 7, SATURDAY 29Th MAY, GOREY – KILCULLEN, 151KMS,

Gorey, Carnew, Shillelagh, Tullow, Hacketstown, Tinahely, Aughrim, Ballinaclash, Greenan,  Glenmalure, Drumgoff Category 1 KOM, Laragh, Wicklow Gap Category 1 KOM, Slieve Corragh Category 2 KOM, Hollywood, Tober Category 3 KOM, (Dunlavin), Kilcullen.

STAGE 8, SUNDAY 30Th MAY, KILCULLEN – SKERRIES, 140KMS

Kilcullen, Athgarvan, Newbridge, Milltown, Allen, Kilmeague, Prosperous, Kilcock, Dunshaughlin, Rathoath, Curragha, Pluckhimin Category 3 KOM, Garristown, Naul, Balrothery, Cross of the Cage Category 3 KOM,  Skerries, Black Hills Category 3 KOM, Skerries, Black Hills Category 3 KOM, Skerries