History as Rás Tailteann moves into Mitchelstown

NEXT Thursday, May 24, sees An Rás Tailteann (formerly known as An Post Rás) finish a stage in Mitchelstown.

The race has been part of Irish sport since 1953 and is the biggest cycling event in the country. It is a world-ranked 2.2 event of the UCI calendar and has played an important part in the development of many successful riders including world champions such as Stephen Roche and Tony Martin.

This also applies to the Irish Cyclists that are racing with various cycling teams at the moment such as Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) Nicholas Roche (BMC) Philip Deignan (Team Sky) Ryan Mullen (Trek Segafredo) Conor Dunne and Cork native Eddie Dunbar, who races with Ireland’s Pro Continental Team Aqua Blue Sport.

The last time An Post Rás finish a stage in Mitchelstown was back in 2013 and was won by Moreno De Pauw of the Belgian National Team. Since its launch back in February there has been a big interest from continental teams; groups from America, Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, France and Holland have made their way to Ireland to compete with the many Irish teams entered for next week’s race.

Depending on weather and wind conditions, Stage Five of An Rás Tailteann should finish in Mitchelstown anytime between 2pm and 3pm. The eight-day race from Sunday May 20 to 27 starts in Drogheda, as they make their way to Athlone. Day two is Athlone to Tipperary. Stage three on the Tuesday is Tipperary to Listowel. Wednesday sees them race the 153km-route from Listowel to Glengarriff. The following day it’s 150.2kms from Glengarriff to Mitchelstown (as they make their way in via Macroom, Millstreet, Banteer, Mallow, New Twopothouse, Doneraile and Kildorrery). Friday sees them leave Mitchelstown as they navigate the roads to Carlow in the longest stage of the week. Stage seven on the Saturday is Carlow to Naas, before the week-long event finishes in Skerries on Sunday in the 144.6kms.

The eight days’ racing has a good mixture for everyone, with 1168 kilometres in total to be raced.

The race will feature four gruelling Category 1 climbs and 30 other categorized climbs.