World track bronze medallist and recent Olympian, David O’Loughlin, who made his debut in the Rás in 1997, will be competing in the Rás for the first time as part of the An Post team. The three Irish riders will be joined by Belgian duo Nicko Eeckhout and Benny De Schrooder.

“My aim is to take a stage but I’m very confident of a good team performance as we have a strong team in place now that can do well over the week," Cassidy said.

"Stephen (Gallagher) is not here to defend his title but I hope one of us can put in a performance like he did last year and secure successive Rás wins for the team.”

O’Loughlin, who joined the An Post team this season, says he found the adjustment from the track to the road a major challenge.

“In terms of my own performance, I’m happy with how I’m doing but it was a big challenge to adjust from the Track, with the emphasis on power and speed, to the road, where endurance is vital," O'Loughlin said.

“We did very well at last year’s Rás, so the confidence coming into the race is high,” team manager Kurt Bogaerts said. “The team of five we have is strong and the Belgian riders Niko and Benny are riding well, but a race back in Ireland is a big opportunity for the Irish guys, so hopefully they can do well. Last year there was great support for the team, which really helped also. We are confident but know it will not be easy.”

Running from May 17 to 24, this year's Rás is the 57th outing for Ireland's the race.

Starting in Kilcullen and travelling clockwise through fifteen counties, the gruelling 1,289 kilometre route will see the riders slug it out over 20 categorised climbs.

Stages will finish in Wexford, Cobh, Cahirciveen, Killorglin, Scariff, Castlebar and Clara, while Skerries is once again the setting for the final stage.