The Donegal Rás team are continuing to perform well on day three of the An Post Rás around Ireland. 
The team are currently embarking on the gruelling 154 km trek from Lisdoonvarna to Charleville.
The team were dealt a blow on day-one of the eight-day event when rider Mark McClure had to pull out of the tour due to illness.
Despite that setback the team have performed admirably in his absence, and Ronan McLaughlin took the prize of first county rider over the line on the first day.
Earlier this week, all tracks led to the Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Sunday as the Donegal Rás team cycled into Buncrana. 
They were in town to announce the Inishowen Gateway Hotel as the team’s official sponsor for 2014.
With the Giro D’italia now finished up, attentions have focused on the An Post Rás, the annual, eight-day, stage race around Ireland on which the Donegal team are on day-three of.
The race is Ireland’s number one cycling event,and the epic race began in 1953 and has been held every year since.
It is one of Ireland’s top sporting events bringing world class sporting action and a significant economic boost to towns and villages nationwide.
The Rás has a worldwide reputation of being a gruelling challenge in the elite, international calendar.
The open racing style allows amateur county and club riders to pit themselves against domestic and international professionals. 
Hoping to win big at this year’s Rás will be the all new Team Inishowen Gateway Hotel, made up of 5 talented Donegal cyclists – former Irish Hill climb Champion Ronan Mc Laughlin, former Donegal Time Trial Champion Conor Mc Ilwaine, reigning Donegal Time Trial Champion Rory Devlin, Donegal Veterans Champion Damian Lagan.
First time national competitor Mark McClure pulled out on day-one due to illness.
The team are managed by Chris McElhinney.
Rena Doherty from the Inishowen Gateway told Donegal Daily, “We are delighted to be sponsoring Team Inishowen Gateway Hotel and we would like to wish the team the best of luck and hopefully victory will be brought back to Donegal. 
The team will be joined by the Gateway Girls, Aine Gleeson and Shareen Doherty,who will Tweet and Facebook live from the road to provide realtime information from the race to keep Donegal supporters up to date with the efforts of Team Inishowen Gateway Hotel, the official Donegal team.
To stay connected with the team, the Inishowen Gateway Hotel invite you to like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter.
These pages will feature competitions and provide followers the chance of win exclusive race merchandise.
This year’s Rás covers 1260 kilometres over eight stages with 36 categorised climbs, beginning in Dunboyne, Co. Meath with stage finishes in Roscommon, Lisdoonvarna, Charleville, Cahirciveen, Clonakilty, Carrick on Suir, Baltinglass and finally Skerries.
Can Team Inishowen Gateway Hotel win big at this year’s An Post Rás? It’s looking positive if the team motto is anything to go by – “AYE WE CAN”!!
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