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The prospects for the experienced squad are further bolstered by the selection of Seamus Kennedy as manager, the 1978 Ras winner sure to have a hugely positive input into the team's performance.
Elliott made a comeback to racing last season, several years after his professional retirement. He finished second on the final stage of the race after suffering will illness for much of the week. One year on, his form is unquestionably better and he will start the 2.5 ranked race with thoughts of taking yellow. Elliott was second in the recent Shay Elliott Memorial in Bray, a 1.5 ranked one day international also sponsored by Murphy and Gunn, who this year have made a significant input into cycling in Ireland.
Winn won the UK national championship in 2002 and raced for a spell with the Fakta team in Europe, riding the Tour of Italy twelve months ago. This year the Welshman won the Archer GP as well as four stages and the points jersey in the Tour of the Emirates. He was sidelined recently with a badly broken finger but expects to be back in good shape for the FBD Milk Ras. He won it in 2000 and would love to do so again.
John Tanner, Mark Lovatt and Kevin Dawson are regulars to the race at this stage. They have all either worn yellow (Lovatt) or won stages in the past and are known for their ability, aggression and strong team riding. Together with Elliott and Winn they will represent one of the most dangerous squads in the race.
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The official press release is as follows:
MURPHY & GUNN SPONSOR POWERFUL TEAM FOR FBD MILK RaS.
Satisfied if not delighted with their sponsorship of the recent Shay Elliott Memorial race, Murphy and Gunn, the Dublin motor people have decided to support a team in the FBD MILK RaS 8 Day International Cycle Race which starts from the GPO on next Sunday.
The composition of the five man team came about after Stephen Murphy, the Murphy and Gunn Sales Director was approached by officials from two clubs in Britain Pinarello RT and Planet X to back a combined squad for the highly rated multi-stage FBD MILK RAS, consisting of Malcolm Elliott, Julian Winn, John Tanner, Mark Lovett and Kevin Dawson.
"With former Ras winner Seamus Kennedy as Team Manger, we expect the Murphy and Gunn riders to be top contenders. The prestigious FBD MILK RaS deserves quality international bikemen because it is an excellent well run and tough event," said Stephen Murphy who manages both Toyota and BMW dealerships in South County Dublin.
All five members of the Team Yorkshire Murphy and Gunn have already ridden the FBD MILK RaS " with Welshman Julian Winn winning outright in 2001. The other four over the past few years have either won stages and or important jerseys on this important and gruelling Irish cycling classic. All four are currently showing top form with Elliott finishing second to Ireland's Dave O'Loughlin on the Murphy and Gunn Shay Elliott race.
"We will have to be disciplined on the Ras if we are to bring home the team award," said team king-pin Seamus Kennedy. "It is a long and arduous event, calling for team-work, particularly in the mountains. Weather can also play an important role."
Of the five riders Malcolm Elliott is the most senior. Having been a top British professional in the nineties he returned to racing last year after a six-year layoff and rode for the London-Irish team in the FBD MILK RaS in which he was handicapped by a heavy cold. "I hope for better weather this year, and my current form is excellent." He has already won two major races in 2004 " the Girvan Three-Day and the Stan Jones Road Race.
Julian Winn knows the FBD MILK RaS well having won outright three years ago. This season he is showing improved form having won the Archer GP as well as being the points jersey winner on the Tour of the Emirates. He also took four stages in that same race. "I look forward to the Ras and I feel my lay-off over the last few weeks will hopefully put in good form".
John Tanner is a tough and consistent performer and has been ranked first or second in Britain over the past ten years. This previous FBD MILK RaS stage winner is known for his sprint, finishing second to Julian Winn at the end of the Archer Grand Prix. "I'll play my part for Team Yorkshire Murphy and Gunn."
Mark Lovett is famous for some futile lone breakaways and his self deprecating comments. A Ras regular and previous podium finisher Mark is the reigning premier calendar champion in the UK and has scored six consecutive victories in Britain's oldest and toughest one-day race the classic Tour of
the Peaks." My recent third on the Murphy and Gunn Shay Elliott one-day shows that I am coming into form right on time."
Kevin Dawson is a time-trial specialist but he can mix it with the best as we know from the 2003 FBD MILK RaS when he took a deserved stage win. He's the ideal rider to lead a breakaway. "I hope to do the best for my team and team manager as he follows in his Murphy and Gunn BMW."
The FBD MILK RaS starts in Dublin on Sunday May 23 with the first stage to Trim. It finishes back in Dublin on Sunday May 30.