Armstrong and Cavendish headline a streamlined Tour of Ireland

Organisers of the Tour of Ireland professional cycle race, held in association with Fáilte Ireland, have announced a new three day format for 2009. The race, from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August, will provide some spectacular racing with seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong bringing his Astana team to Ireland for the first time. Six times Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish (Columbia – HTC) also returns to Ireland where he scored three consecutive stage wins last year.

“We have had great support from the event sponsors, teams and local authorities to keep the race on the road in what is a very tough economic climate,” said Event Organiser Alan Rushton: “As a result our event is leaner and fitter and the race will show a large international television audience that Ireland has a great deal to offer visitors. We have over 550km of racing through spectacular countryside and victory will be a hard fought affair”.

An Post continues sponsorship of the Green jersey for the winner of the race on points and they also hope for some good results from the An Post – Sean Kelly Team which includes multiple Irish champion David O’Loughlin.

The Department of Transport are a new Tour sponsor with their "Smarter Travel" initiative. The Smarter Travel Best Young Rider Jersey will be awarded daily to the highest placed rider under 25 years of age on the general classification.

The race has established a big reputation in the professional peloton and this year’s event, held in association with Fáilte Ireland, will not disappoint the athletes or the thousands of spectators expected to line the roads. 112 cyclists from 16 of the best teams in the world will head out from The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, County Wicklow on Friday 21st August. The prestigious hotel, which is located in a spectacular setting, is the Race Headquarters and the main media hub for the days prior to the event and has also been chosen as the starting line for stage one to Waterford.

“It has taken a lot of work to modify the plans for this year’s race and we are still in the process of finalising the last few details before we announce the entire route,” continued Rushton: “We are able to confirm a 196km first stage starting from The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt on Friday 21st. It is a rolling stage that sees the peloton competing for the king of the mountain points after only five kilometres. The race travels over beautiful countryside and takes in the handsome climb of Mount Leinster en route to Waterford where the race will finish on the Quays.”

“Astana and Columbia-HTC are the first big teams to be confirmed and further team announcements will be made in the coming days. We have had to be realistic with the race budget in view of the recession, however, we continue to focus on gaining additional resources for future editions of the race,” said Alan Rushton.