The Rás Tailteann makes a welcome return to the roads of Ireland this week with the race commencing in Dublin today, June 15th and heading for Kerry tomorrow with a stage end in Castleisland.
The second stage of the race will be over 31 kilometres of Kerry roads but these could prove to be the most decisive of the week. After a relatively flat opening stage some very big moves will be made on the tough roads from the Horse and Jockey outside Thurles in Co. Tipperary to Castleisland.
The Castleisland part of the race will include the tough Glounsharoon climb as the riders near the finish of the 154.8 km stage.
An Enforced Break
The Rás has had an enforced break in recent years and is being welcomed back on the road by all involved in cycling in this country. This historic and prestigious international showpiece event for Irish cycling has deep roots in the Kingdom both in terms of having visited Kerry so many times but also with Kerry cyclists who have done so well in the event over the years.
This goes right back to Gene Mangan winning the race in 1955. Others to win the event were the late Paudie Fitzgerald, Mick Murphy and Seamus Kennedy as well as Andy Roche who rode for Kerry in 1997.
John Mangan’s Rás Win in ’72
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Killorglin’s John Mangan winning the race and the stage into Castleisland is honouring John’s great achievement in 1972.
Kerry riders are approaching this year’s event with a good deal of confidence as the preparation has gone well for them.
Killarney Cycling Club riders John Brosnan, Lorcan Daly and Conor Kissane will lead the Kerry team’s challenge and will be accompanied by Simon Ryan and Leo Doyle. These riders have been getting very good results on the domestic scene and with a nice blend of RAS experience as well as youth could see them have a very good event.
New York Champion
Castlegregory’s Tom Moriarty has made the EVO Pro team selection for what is one of the goals for the year on this professional team. Twenty year old Tom is now coming to form after some setbacks earlier in the year and a good showing from him should be on the cards.
Cormac Daly is returning to Ireland with his American team for the event. This is Cormac’s second Rás having completed with his club Tralee Manor West on the last occasion before taking up employment in New York.
Cormac is having a fine season in the US and arrives in Ireland for two weeks of premier racing as the New York champion.
A Man of the Rás
Former Olympian, Rás Mumhan and Rás Tailteann veteran Cathal Moynihan will guest on this aptly named ‘Good Guys Racing Team’ from the USA. Some other Kerry riders may yet make the start line as the teams is still being finalised at the present time.
Currow Cycling Club will be the hosts of the stage finish with the stage end organiser Éamonn Breen himself a man of the Rás having competed in the sixties and seventies.
Currow CC would like to thank people in advance for their cooperation.
From Scart Road to Main Street
The race will enter the town from the Scartaglin Road, right onto Main Street, left onto College road up the famous Glounsharoon climb and returning to finish on Limerick Road. The reason for finishing on Limerick Road this year is two fold and couldn’t be avoided.
The first reason was that the furniture on the street makes the main street too tight for the finish and that all riders will have to complete the route in full within the time limit in order to finish the stage and start from Newcastle West on the following day.
Key Roles for Eugene and John
On the administrative side of the race Eugene Moriarty from Listowel and John Breen, Castleisland will have key roles to play to ensure a safe and successful event.
The race is expected in Castleisland between 2pm and 3pm tomorrow Thursday June 16th.
Further local details by calling – 087 7849879 or see the event website: www.rasireland.ie
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