Synergy Baku team competing in “An Post Rás 2013” bike race
Baku, May 22 (AZERTAC). Five Cyclists of the Synergy Baku team are representing Azerbaijan at the “An Post Rás 2013”, which is an annual, eight-day, stage race around Ireland. 2013 marks the fortieth anniversary of Mike O`Donaghue of Carlow winning the An Post Rás in 1973.
At the 2nd stage of the race, Azerbaijani cyclist Connor McConvey managed to finish 6th (3h23’57"), while another Baku team`s cyclists including Rico Rogers finished 14th (3h24’43"), John Ebsen 50th (3h24’43"), Kirill Pozdnyakov 58th (3h24’43") and Christoph Schweizer 147th (3h28’24").
Former World Cup omnium winner, Shane Archbold sprinted to a narrow victory at the second stage of the 2013 An Post Rás. The Kiwi rider led the sprint coming into the final stretch and marginally edged out the challenge of Marcin Bialoblocki (Britain UK Youth Pro), Jasper de Buyst (Belgium National Team) and Belfast born Peter Hawkins (Britain IG Sigma Sport), who finished in second, third and fourth respectively.
In general classification, Azerbaijan`s Connor McConvey ranked 4th (6h13’15"), while Rico Rogers took 17th (6h14’01), John Ebsen 49th (6h14’01"), Christoph Schweizer 115th (6h17’42") and Kirill Pozdnyakov 125th (6h31’55") places respectively.
In Post Office Sprints Classification Rico Rogers ranked 5th with 14 points, while Connor McConvey became12th with 10 points.
In One4All Bikes4Work King of the Mountains Connor McConvey ranked 4th with 2 points.
In international team overall Azerbaijan ranks 7th.
The 2013 An Post Rás route was revealed at the GPO on January 29 and looks certain to provide a challenging test. This year`s Rás covers 1180 kilometres over eight stages with 33 categorized climbs, including four category one climbs, Healy Pass, Gorteen, Drumgoff and Wicklow Gap.
The 2013 Rás is the 61st edition of the race, and this year`s route is designed by cyclist, Stephen O'Sullivan. Stephen is a former stage winner and eighteen year veteran of the event.
The action gets underway on Sunday May 19 in Dunboyne, Co. Meath with stage finishes in Longford, Nenagh, Listowel, Glengarriff, Mitchelstown, Carlow, Naas and finishing in Skerries on May 26.
Connor McConvey has a very good record in the Rás, taking 4th overall in 2010 and the U23 classification and 7th overall last year.
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