Rolling on the Emerald Isle

After a 15 year hiatus, the 5 stage Tour of Ireland that we previewed back in May, kicks off today. The start list features 3 American teams, Navigators Insurance, Colvita - Sutter Homes presented by Cooking Light, and Slipstream/Chipotle [the first two each having an Irish lad], and three Pro Tour teams, CSC, Unibet.com, and T-Mobile.

Irish Legend Sean Kelly & Irish model Jenny Lee Masterson
(Photo: Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk)

The team to beat [on paper] looks to be Team CSC, which boast a strong contingent and is headlined by the Brothers Schleck, Frank and Andy. Unibet.com and T-Mobile will most likely be led by their respective sprinters, Baden Cooke and Bernhard Eisel. Another notable on the start list is Belgian Cyclocross superstar, Sven Nys who will be riding for Rabobank Continental.


Stage 1 - August 22: Kilkenny - Cork (St. Patrick's Hill), 160 km
Stage 2 - August 23: Clonakilty - Killarney, 167 km
Stage 3 - August 24: Tralee - Ennis, 190 km
Stage 4 - August 25: Galway - Galway, 212 km
Stage 5 - August 26: Athlone - Dublin, 135 km