The Los Angeles-based Wonderful Pistachios team will make its international debut when it lines out in the An Post Rás, which runs from May 22-29. The squad is hoping that competing in the 2.2-ranked contest will be the first step along a route that would bring them to bigger and bigger events.
“My long-term vision has always been to take the team to Europe, so this is a big step for us,” said team owner and director Josh Horowitz said. “Next year, we plan to pursue a spot in the Amgen Tour of California, so this will give us some international experience towards that goal.”
Horowitz competed in the contest a decade ago. “In 2001, the Rás was my first international racing experience as a neo pro and to this day it is still my favourite stage race,” he said.
“It suits our riders beautifully. There is definitely some climbing, but no mountain-top finishes. Mostly it is pedal-to-the-metal from the gun, on the rivet, in the gutter, good hard racing – which favours us. The year I raced it, the average speed of the winner after eight days and 10 categorized climbs was 27.5 miles per hour. So it’s that kind of race."
Despite the lack of high mountains, the contest is an extremely tough one to win. Small five-man teams and a chaotic pattern of racing makes luck an important part of any campaign, and also place an emphasis on tactics.
VeloNation blogger Alexander Wetterhall took a fine win last year, and later went to have a trial with the Cervélo Test Team. Other recent victors include Tony Martin, who won Paris-Nice this season.
The Wonderful Pistachios team will be led by the Briton Tom Faiers. He competed at the ProTour level last year but was temporarily sidelined from the sport due to heart rhythm irregularities. Extensive tests have shown that these are not dangerous and he has been given the green light to return.
“Tom raced the Pro Tour last year with Footon Cervetto and brings a wealth of talent and experience to the squad,” said team manager Josh Horowitz.
The former triathlete showed his ability early on when the-then 18 year old was able to hold the wheel of ProTour riders Alejandro Valverde and Luis Leon Sanchez on a hilly training ride in Murica. Impressed by his strength, they suggested he start competing in Spain and things progressed from there. His goal now is to return to the top level.
Faiers will be joined at the helm of the team by two-time British time trial champion Neil Coleman. The rest of the squad will be finalised closer to the May 22nd start of the event.
The 2011 An Post Rás will begin in Dunboyne on Sunday May 22nd and will feature stage finishes in Portumana, Kilrush, Castleisland, Castletownbere, Blarney, Tramore, Kildare and Skerries. The tough route includes 29 categorised climbs, of which three are first category ascents, plus eight days of racing and a total of 1247 kilometres.
Two other international teams are have already been announced. They are the Australian Drapac Professional team and the New Zealand national squad. More will be confirmed in the run-up to the race.