Three Irish riders will take to the British roads this weekend for the Ovo Energy Tour of Britian (2.HC UCI). Matthew Teggart, Sean McKenna and Damien Shaw will join teammates Mark Stewart (GB), Jacob Scott (GB) and Regan Gough (NZ) for eight stages of racing which will commence in Edinburgh on Sunday 3rd September and finish in Cardiff on Sunday 10th September. The race will see 20 of the world’s top teams cover 1,310 kilometres with ITV4 screening the race live for the first time.
An Post Chain Reaction will face tough opposition with all of the current World Tour top five ranked teams set to compete. The team travel to Britain looking to animate the race after some solid performances in recent weeks.
A high intensity altitude camp in July resulted in success for Mark Stewart taking the individual pursuit at the European Championships in August.
The Tour of Britain follows a second altitude camp this summer. Mullingar born Damien Shaw describes it as a kick-start to the second half of the season: “My goal is to make the Tour of Britain. It’s a fantastic race and we are lucky to be part of it.”
Commenting on the team’s progress this season, Team Manager Kurt Bogaerts said: “Teggart rode very aggressively in the European Championships and comes to this race in very good shape. Scott has been going really well in his last few races and is very strong. They will be the two key riders in the team. McKenna and Shaw have made good progression over the season and this will be a fantastic opportunity for them to show where they are on an international level.
The race is on Stewart’s turf, as the route passes only a few miles away from his hometown in Scotland. Gough completes the team and comes into this race as ground work for the World Championship time trial.”
Reflecting on the success over the year, Bogaerts believes the team has proved they have the strength to take on the leading World Tour Teams: “This is the highest race the team can do this season. Like previous years, we know we will have to ride aggressively, be there at the breakaways and try to take a King of the Mountains or a Sprint Jersey home. We have proved in the past that we are capable of making an impact in this type of race so I am hopeful the team can achieve a lot at the Tour of Britain.”
An Post Chain Reaction team – Tour of Britain, Sunday 3rd September – Sunday 10th September:
Damien Shaw (IRE)
Matthew Teggart (IRE)
Sean McKenna (IRE)
Mark Stewart (GB)
Jacob Scott (GB)
Regan Gough (NZ)
