| |
|
|
Route Details of Rás Tailteann 2025
By Ras Admin
Oct 31, 2024, 11:15
 |
| - Matteo Cigala (Team Dan Morrissey - Primor by Pissei) takes on the category one Ballaghasheen climb during Rás Tailteann 2024. |
The 70th edition of the Rás Tailteann will take place from May 21st to May 25th, 2025.
The event will start in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, Co Louth on Wednesday, May 21st heading westwards to finish in Boyle, Co Roscommon.
A transfer to Charlestown for the start of stage two where the riders will take on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the 2025 Rás Tailteann stages.
Another transfer to Co Mayo for the start of stage three, where Cong will welcome the Rás Tailteann.
After setting off from Cong, the riders will take in breathtaking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way before they face the fast finish towards Miltown Malbay in County Clare.
The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on 2 x category three climb’s before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15KM remaining – will there be enough time to regroup before the finish in Mountrath, Co Laois? The final stage of Rás Tailteann 2025 will kick off in Kildare Town heading across the plains of ‘The Lilywhite County’ before entering Co Meath where again, the winner of Rás Tailteann will be crowned in Bective. The 2025 edition of the race is again five stages and will take on over 760KM along the roads of The Emerald Isle, including 13 categorised climbs.
Ahead of the route launch, Race Director Ger Campbell said:
“We are really excited to release the route for the 70th edition of Rás Tailteann.
I am super proud of the event we managed to get back on the road in 2022 and have grown from strength to strength each year since. Being able to start the 70th edition of the race in my hometown is very special to me. It is also great to return to some traditional cycling strongholds along the way.
Each stage has its own twist which some suiting climbers, sprinters or punchers. I think stage four into Mountrath is going to be very telling with a very difficult category one climb just 15KM out from the finish – that very well could decide the race.
Again, I just want to thank all our sponsors, supporters and volunteers who help to make this possible. Planning is at a very advanced stage, and we will be releasing entry details in the very near future.
This is a very special event, and we hope that 2025, recognising the 70th edition, is a chance for everyone who has any connection with the event to come out and see the 2025 ‘Men of the Rás’.
We can’t wait to see you all on the start line in Drogheda on May 21st – just over three months to go!”
Stage 1: Drogheda, Co Louth to Boyle, Co Roscommon (Distance: 155.5KM)Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Drogheda – Slane – Kilberry – Kells – Drumbaragh – Ballinlough – Oldcastle – Mountnugent – Kilnaleck – Ballinagh – Crossdoney – Arvagh – Carrigalen – Mohill – Carrick-on-Shannon – Boyle
Following a ceremonial start in Drogheda Town Centre, the race will be neutralised onto the N51 towards Slane where the riders will pass the 0.0KM signs for the official start of Rás Tailteann 2025. The stage will pass through the rolling roads of North Meath and Leitrim before a fast finish into Boyle, Co Roscommon which is the home county of our 2022 champion, Daire Feeley.
With just one category 3 climb on route at ‘Sliabh na Cailligh’ just before Oldcastle, a large group of riders could very well still be together to battle it out in Boyle for the first stage win of 2025.
As per previous editions, there will be three hot spot sprints along the way during stage one which provide pivotal bonus seconds. They will be in Gibbstown Gaeltacht just after 20KM, Crossdoney just after 80KM and Mohill just after 120KM.
Stage 2: Charlestown, Co Mayo to Clifden, Co Galway (Distance: 170.9KM) Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
Charlestown – Bohola – Castlebar – Ballyhean – Partry – Tuar Mhic Éadaigh – An Mám - Clifden
After stage one’s finish in county Roscommon, the race will transfer to Charlestown in County Mayo to start what is shaping up to be an epic stage towards Clifden, County Galway. This will be the first stage end in Clifden since 2003.
An extremely tough day awaits the riders with 5 categorised climbs along the route to Clifden. The early part of the stage will pass through Bohola and Foxford before taking on the ‘Windy Gap’ category one climb just after 50KM.
After a fast descent the race will pass through Castlebar and Partry before hitting three climbs within 12KM, including a category three in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh and 2 x category two climbs at Maumtrasna and Cill Dubh.
A final category 3 climb awaits between An Mám and Maam Cross before the final 40KM through beautiful Connemara on wide open roads.
This is sure to be a testing and telling day in the race for overall honours.
Stage 3: Cong, Co Mayo to Miltown Malbay, Co Clare (Distance: 163.8KM) Friday, May 23rd, 2025
Cong – Headford – Corofin – Kinvara – Bell Harbour – Ballyvaughan – Lisdoonvarna – Liscannor – Lahinch – Miltown Malbay
Stage 3 will set off from the famous Celtic Cross in the centre of the beautiful village of Cong, County Mayo on route to Milltown Malbay on the coast of Clare.
The first 115KM of the stage will be on mostly flat and rolling roads passing through Headford, Athenry, Craughwell and Kinvara before tackling the first categorised climb of the day which is the famous Corkscrew after 120KM of racing.
The final 40 kilometres are along the Wild Atlantic Way with further climbs at Doonagare Cross and the Cliffs of Moher.
The final 23KM run into Miltown Malbay along the West Clare coastline promises to be exciting as the hustling for the yellow jersey continues.
Another tough day in the saddle is guaranteed.
Stage 4: Ennis, County Clare to Mountrath, County Laois (Distance: 128.1KM) Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Ennis – Clooney – Bodyke – Tuamgraney – Scarriff – Mountshannon – Whitegate – Portumna – Riverstown – Kinnity - Mountrath
Stage four will depart Ennis on route to a first ever Stage finish in Mountrath, County Laois.
The riders will make their way along the west side of The Shannon River and Lough Derg facing 2 x category three climbs. Once the race crosses The Shannon River in Portumna, it is heading for Birr which has produced several Rás Tailteann highlights in recent years.
The final section of the stage is sure to create some fireworks when the category one Wolftrap Climb in the Sliabh Blooms Mountains is crested by the riders with just 14KM remaining to the finish in Mountrath. This climb could create a real last-ditch opportunity for the general classifications riders to jostle in the race for the coveted yellow jersey.
Stage 5: Kildare Town, County Kildare to Bective, County Meath (Distance: 142.8KM) including four laps of finishing circuit Sunday, May 25th, 2025
Kildare Town – Milltown – Kilmeague – Allenwood – Derrinturn – Kilshanroe – Johnstown Bridge – Longwood – Dunsany – Bective
A mostly flat final stage awaits the riders on route to the ultimate finish in Bective.
There is just one category three climb on the final day which is the Quarry Hill as the race leaves Dunsany. The riders will then enter the finishing circuit where it could well be a day for the sprinters. With a slightly changed circuit for 2025, four laps of the 12KM loop will bring the curtain down on Rás Tailteann 2025 while will see the new champion of the George Plant Trophy being crowned.
The last hour of racing around the confines of Bective Stud promises to be a special spectacle for spectators and riders alike.
|
|
| |
