DERMOT DIGNAM, organiser of the FBD Milk Ras which will run from May 17th to 25th, has not got all the route details sorted out yet but he has decided on an important change - all the teams will have five members.
The system with four-man international and regional teams against the local county selections of five seemed to produce more balanced competition but although Dignam expects to have at least five international teams and eight or 10 English regional combinations taking on the team representing Ireland and the usual county sides they will all be five man selections this time.
After three wins in a row for members of Ireland team Eamon Byrne, Declan Lonergan and Paul McQuaid - the Derry squad had first and second last year with Tommy Evans and David McCann while Peter Daly was best of the Ireland quartet in sixth place.
Last year there were 136 starters with eight international teams - Ireland, Germany, Britain, Holland, Scotland, Japan, USA and South Africa - eight also from English regions and 18 county selections.
Although Dignam has been on several trips around the country he has not finalised all the stage ends but he did reveal a few aspects. Stage one will be from Dublin to Roscommon and it is almost certain that the finish will be in Swords for the fourth time in a row. A meeting is being organised with the Swords Chamber of Commerce to discuss the final details.
Although there is to be one stage in Kerry Dignam said that "none of the major climbs there will be negotiated, the Healy Pass, Conor Pass or Coomanaspig will not be included." He hinted that the route would then take in the south east region and on up through Wicklow on the second last day.
There is still no decision on an Irish start to the Tour de France next year. Pat McQuaid is having regular discussions with the organisers but the transportation difficulties have not been resolved.
The ferries operating between Rosslare and Cherbourg or Cork and Roscoff are not big enough to take all the Tour vehicles and equipment and two additional ones would have to be hired. Doing so in July adds to the problem. However, despite talks of reductions in the services negotiations are continuing and McQuaid is hopeful that a satisfactory arrangement will be finalised soon.
