On Tuesday 21st May, Bundoran had the utmost pleasure on welcoming the cyclists participating in the An Post Ras to it’s beautiful town.                     Bundoran was the finish line of stage 3 of the 8 stage race, and what a race it was. The 8 stages  covered 1,200 kilometres, with 21 categorised climbs, including two category one climbs, Mamore Gap and Glengesh Pass. The race started at Dublin Castle heading to Longford. From Longford it went to Newport, and then from Newport they made their way to Bundoran.   On day 4 the riders left Bundoran and spent the next three days covering a route that went around the whole outskirts of Donegal. On day 7 the route left Donegal Town, heading from Ardee, where on day 8, cyclists would leave there to finish their gruelling week in Skerries.

 

 

Preparations began early in the morning with a stage being set up on the main street for the presentation of awards. Huge crowds gathered, and An Post gave out free hats and T-Shirts to all the spectators. The presence of the fantastic stage and great crowed created a fantastic atmosphere and huge buzz for the cyclists as they finished the race. The Jayne Orr Foot Clinic not only had a fantastic view of the whole proceedings, but also the great pleasure of lending the clinic office to Ocean FM to conduct interviews with the winners. This gave us the fantastic opportunity to personally meet and chat to the winners who were Ireland’s very own Matthew Teggart, followed closely by Great Britain’s Ian Bibby and France’s Stéphane Poulhine.

The Ras drew big crowds all over Donegal when here, and hopefully they’re presence will influence and inspire other people to take an interest in the sport, whether it be as a hobby, amateur competitor or professional. Cycling is great way to keep fit and healthy, should it be in a club or even as a family hobby at weekends.