Teams from countries affected by Foot and Mouth Disease will not be allowed to participate in this year's FBD MILK RAS which is due to take place from Sunday 20th to Sunday 27th May.
The decision, announced over the weekend by the Race Organiser, Dermot Dignam, affects a total of eleven teams from England, Scotland, Wales and the Netherlands. Wales will be particularly disappointed by the decision as last year's winner, Julian Winn, was returning to the big Irish event to defend his title.
Announcing the decision Dignam said "we are proud of the part the FBD MILK RAS has played in Ireland's sporting and economic life for the past 48 years and while disappointed and sorry for the British and Dutch cyclists we have no hesitation in taking the steps we feel necessary in the war against this devastating disease, the race sponsors, National Dairy Council and FBD Insurance, are 100% behind us in this move".
The decision by Dignam and his committee is in line with the recommendations from the Minister for Agriculture for event organisers not to attract participants from F&M affected countries.
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