Team Isle of Man-Microgaming will start the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland for the first time in three years when the race begins on May 22. In the squad for the eight stage race will be the 1997 winner Andy Roche, Graeme Hatcher who has completed the race on three occasions, and Christian Varley who will be aiming to finish the Ras for a second time. Completing the five man team are Aaron Livsey and former GB Olympic Academy rider Tim Kennaugh. Riders such as Roche are hardened to the life of stage racing, but even he finds the Ras a tough test. “The stages in the west are always run on really heavy roads,” he says. “You're never just cruising along, it seems like you're always riding with the brake blocks on. But it's this sort of terrain that makes it a race for the real hard men of the sport.’ Graeme Hatcher has done the race three times between 2002 and 2008. “I have always finished midfield, but it's an achievement just to get round,” he said. “I remember 2002 when it rained for the whole eight days.” Hatcher and Roche both agree that as always this year's event will be an attacking race. With five man teams it's difficult for any one team to control the race and there are likely to be attacks right from the gun on every stage. Roche and Varley both had good performances in the Ras Mumhan at Easter and the following week’s Tour of Ulster with both riders placing second in the overall classification respectively and collecting numerous top five stage placings. The An Post Ras is not only a physical challenge for the riders but also a logistical headache for the team’s support staff consisting of local physiotherapist Sharif Gomaa from Just Go Physio and Manx cycling veteran champion Eddie Murphy. The team will be managed by the experienced Peter Kay from British Cycling’s North West division. Microgaming are thrilled that the team is taking part in the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland and wish to thank event sponsors the Isle of Man Motoring Club for their valued assistance. Additional thanks go to Appleby and Thornton Associates for their support which has allowed the team to compete in an international event that is an additional race on the team’s calendar. This will be the first time that the Isle of Man national team has competed in the Ras since 2008 - the year in which guest rider Ken Hanson won the opening stage and wore the leader’s yellow jersey for a day. The riders would like to thank all of the team sponsors and all those that contributed to last Friday’s successful fundraising evening including the Manx Electricity Authority, Abode, Extreme Arts and gadgets, The Creg Ny Baa and local sporting stars Mark Cavendish, Peter Kennaugh and Cal Crutchlow. The An Post Ras Insurance Ras runs from Sunday May 22 to Sunday May 29, this year race totals 1,247kms (774miles) with the longest day being stage three which is a 175km ride from Kilrush to Castleisland. The Team Isle of Man-Microgaming squad will be posting regular updates from the race on Twitter. - ENDS -