Cáirde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce the return of FBD Insurance, as the sponsor of the coveted daily stage winner's jersey, each day during the 2022 race.
FBD has a long and storied history with An Rás Tailteann. Having been the flagship sponsor of the event for many years up until 2010 when Alexander Wetterhall from Sweden, racing in the colours of Team Sprocket Pro took the overall honours on the last stage in Skerries. The same year German rider John Degenkolb took the points classification and two stage wins. Degenkolb of went on to become one of the biggest names in world cycling. Subsequently winning stages in le Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and la Vuelta a Espana as well as winning some of cycling's greatest monuments.
Race Director Gerard Campbell on announcing this development indicated “Cáirde Rás Tailteann is thrilled that FBD have decided to again support this iconic Irish event”. He added “FBD Insurance have played a significant role in the history of this race. FBD’s historical contribution and support in the development of the sporting institution that is An Rás Tailteann, was instrumental in lifting the event into a fully-fledged, world ranked UCI grade 2.2 event, befitting its status”.
Cáirde Rás Tailteann are very proud that this esteemed Irish business has again decided to support An Rás Tailteann as it emerges again after its forced postponement due to the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
FBD Insurance has been protecting Irish consumers, farmers and businesses for over 50 years. With a network of 34 local sales offices FBD are proud to be the largest Irish owned insurer and offer a wide range of protection products to suit customer needs including car, home, van, business and farm insurance.
John Cahalan, Chief Commercial Officer for FBD Insurance commented “FBD has a proud tradition of supporting communities through our extensive branch network. As the sport of cycling continues to grow in Ireland, our renewed involvement in such a prestigious event is a further demonstration of our commitment to the communities in which we operate”.
Cáirde Rás Tailteann will be shortly begin announcing details of confirmed teams for the 2022 event which has seen overwhelming interest from teams both from home and abroad.
The Route
The 67th edition of the race take place between June 15th-19th will again travel clockwise around Ireland with stage finishes in Horse and Jockey, Castleisland, Lisdoonvarna, Kilbeggan, before starting the final stage in Kinnegad to the finishing circuit in seaside town of Blackrock, Co. Louth. Riders will cover 756km with 8 categorised climbs which will act as a platform for attacking riders to battle it out for the coveted Rás yellow jersey