Fresh from a successful Rás, the An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Team are in action this weekend in the French stage race, Boucle de la Mayenne (2.1). The 2016 edition of the race began this evening with a time trial, before three road stages which conclude on Sunday, 5th June.
Jack Wilson and Connor McConvey are named as part of the six-man team that will line up alongside Belgian pair, Nicolas Vereecken and Emiel Wastyn, Australian rider Oliver Kent-Spark and Dutchman, Jasper Bovenhuis. An Post team manager, Kurt Bogaerts, is particularly delighted to see the Irish duo back competing again.
“It is great to see Jack (Wilson) slowly getting his consistency back and I’m hoping he will kick on after completing the Rás. It is crucial now that he races as often as possible to get miles into his legs and get back to the level he was at before his injury. Connor was sick in the month leading up to the Rás and it was just a bridge too far for him to be able to take part. He is back to full fitness now and I expect he will go out and compete with a point to prove.”
After claiming the points jersey and a stage win at Ireland’s only UCI ranked race, An Post Rás, the team are looking to carry their momentum in to the next few race outings.
“On the whole, I think we performed excellently in the Rás. We had numerous top ten finishes and were well represented in every stage. The challenge now is to improve on those performances starting with Mayenne this weekend. The standard is really high for this race but I am hoping that we can get at least one stage win. That would be a great aim for us to have.”
Bogaerts will have to do without Damien Shaw and Aaron Gate this weekend as both are tied up on international duty. Mullingar man, Shaw, is competing with the Irish National Team at the Philadelphia International Cycling Class (1.1), while New Zealand native, Aaron Gate, has switched his focus to Rio and the upcoming Olympic Games. Also unavailable are Jacob Scott and David Montgomery who are both ruled out to short-term illnesses.
After Boucles de la Mayenne, the team will next compete in the French race, Ronde de l’Oise (2.2), from the 9th to the 12th of June.
An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team Line-Up 2016 Boucles de la Mayenne, 2nd June – 5th June
Jack Wilson (IRE)
Connor McConvey (IRE)
Oliver Kent-Spark (AUS)
Jasper Bovenhuis (NED)
Nicolas Verrecken (BEL)
Emiel Wastyn (BEL)
