WITH a record entry of 188 for the FBD Milk Ras from May 17th to 25th the stage is set for the biggest lineup in the promotion which has been held every year since 1953.
When the organiser, Dermot Dignam, checked the entries he had to put in another additional order for the special race numbers as the record of 147 will be surpassed his original optimistic estimate was 150.
The entry is, of course, boosted considerably by a big visiting challenge for the coveted prize over another testing route of 782 miles in 10 stages.
Paul Griffin has been confirmed as a member of the ACBB team to represent France in the Ras. The Kerryman, winner of the classic league last year, has been racing with the Paris club this season.
Dignam said: "The entry of 188 includes four A N Others but the teams concerned have assured me they will have full compliments of five. It's always been the case that you lose a few before they get to the starting line but I reckon we will have 180 starters."
The Noel Hammond memorial race on Sunday is the second event to count in the classic league - Ian Chivers leads from David Peelo and Michael Smyth after the race at Carlow three weeks ago.
After impressive victories last Sunday at Stamullen and the week before at Bohermeen Bill Moore from Stamullen would confirm his claims for inclusion in the Irish team for the Ras with another win over roads he knows so well.
The Blackwater club's races in the calendar for Aglish on Sunday have been called off but the Markievicz Cup goes ahead at Collooney. The second round of the mountain bike league will be at Ballinastoe Wood, Roundwood, organised by Aidan Ryan of Sorrento.
Brendan Donoghue, chairman of the FIC coaching committee, has plans for a big coaching drive, particularly a structured system in schools and he is arranging for two French coaches to assist in the schools project. He is also organising a Dublin Community Schools track meeting at Eamonn Ceannt stadium next month.
