The An Post Sean Kelly cycling team headed back to their team base in Brussels this week, but not before they sent a message of thanks to the people of Westmeath for the great support they received when the FBD Ras passed through on Sunday May 24, during Stage 8 of the eight-stage race.
“We were blown away to be honest by the way the crowd got behind us, there was a big cheer for us when we came into Westmeath before heading onto Skerries for the final phase of the stage, and it really does make a huge difference,” said An Post team member and Irish Olympian David O’Loughlin.
“There is no doubt that the warm welcome we receive from the people here at home makes a huge difference to us, compared to racing abroad in Spain or France,” said O’Loughlin. “The encouragement from the people of Westmeath was fantastic, I needed the extra boost that day as well to recover after a crash I'd had.”
The An Post team went on to have a great finish to the Ras, winning both the King Of the Mountains (O’Loughlin ) and the Points competition (Niko Eeckhout ).