Quality field and racing expected at Ras Mumhan

THE Kerry Group Ras Mumhan 4-Day International cycle race gets underway on the roads of Kerry and Limerick this Friday and will finish on Easter Monday, April 2 after 500km over 26 categorised climbs, including one Category One ascent over Coom an Easpaig on Sunday.

One hundred and 90 elite riders representing 38 teams from Ireland, England and Holland, while riders from Spain, Italy and Germany will add a further international dimension to the peloton. A prize fund of over €7,000 sees one of the biggest fields ever to compete in the long history of this great race.

The line-up of riders and teams include a very strong Ireland Development Team with 2015 winner Sean McKenna alongside experienced internationals Conor McDunphy and Dermot Trulock. The Leinster team includes Mark Dowling who won this race in 2014.

Tralee man Sean Lacey leads the new Viner/Caremark/Pactimo team and he is another former winner from 2011, who underlined his current form with a win in Carrick-on-Suir last weekend and will have stage winner Mattew Cigala in the same colours.

Another Kerry man Cathal Moynihan leads the Tralee Manor West team this year, Cathal was first and second on stages in the recent past.

Other top Irish riders competingare Patrick Clarke, who came close to the overall title a few years ago, Killarney’s Richard Maes, who had a great Ras last year, Limerick man Paul Kennedy, who won stage 2 last year on home roads, and multiple stage winner Paidi O’Brien from Kanturk.

The evergreen department is led by 2001 overall winner Eugene Moriarty, who is competing in this race for the 21st time, surely a record for the Ras. This year Moriarty rides for the Sliabh Luachra team, and among the other veterans are Aidan Crowley, Chris Coyle Anthony Doyle and Vincent Gleeson

The foreign challenge is top class this year with five teams from England. Surrey League are regular visitors to the race, and are joined this year by Rhino Velo Race Team, who were here last year. New UK teams include the Active Edge Racing team, Ribble Pro Cycling, and Zero BC. After last year’s Ras win by UK rider Dillon Byrne they will be out to take the title to England again.

West Fisia from Holland are back this year, and Harry Sweering and Tim Groot have impressed here before.

The emphasis by the organiser on the Under-23 element of the event has attracted 32 riders in this category. There are three A+, 124 A1, 60 A2, and 13 A3 riders in the field.

As usual there are a number of perpetual cups to be presented over the four days with the overall race winner to receive the Donal McKenna Cup. Saturday’s stage winner will get the Gene Moriarty Cupm, while Sunday’s winner will receive the Eamonn Scully Cup. The final stage winner gets the Paddy O’Callaghan Cup. The U-23 winner overall will be presented with the John Doyle Cup and the best Kerry rider will get the Paul O’Shea Cup.

Stage 1 on Friday takes the riders from Killorglin through Sliabh Luachra and back to Killorglin around 5pm after some 100km and three climbs.

Stage 2 heads to north Kerry and west Limerick, leaving Listowel at 11am for eight categorised climbs before a 2pm finish in Athea

Easter Sunday includes the Coom an Easpaigh climb and Valentia Island before the finish in Waterville around 3pm after 155km.

Stage 4 on Monday leaves Beaufort at 10am for the usual after Killorglin-Beaufort-Killorglin circuit before the riders face the Donal McKenna circuit for the famous hill in Killorglin beforw the expected about 12.30pm.