Paidi O'Brien leads the group as the road goes upwards in Kerry last Easter at Rás Mumhan; an event introducing a few changes for next year (Photo: Pat Doherty)
The Kerry Group has extended its sponsorship of Rás Mumhan for a sixth year, though there are some changes to the race format for 2014, with the organisers no longer accepting individual entries.
Instead it is hoped county teams will be put together for the race, similar to the An Post Rás.
Team sizes have also been modified, with each to number a minimum of four riders and a maximum of six. Up until now, teams numbered between three and five riders.
However, the organisers have resisted following the An Post Rás in excluding A3 riders, with those licence holders still welcome in The Kingdom on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
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Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Tadhg Moriarty said the decision to exclude the individual riders was aimed at trying to foster the county team concept on the race.
“If there are individual riders who are from the same areas or even just the same county, they will need to come up with a county team proposal and come to us with that,” he said.
The logistics of facilitating individual riders was putting added strain on the race, which now numbers 200 riders after having boasted a field of just 80 as recently as 2007.
“It’s a very big race now and people really need to ride it as part of a team, it makes it easier for everything; accommodation, team cars, things like that.”
“The Easter weekend is a busy one for tourism in Kerry and at least if we keep it to teams only, then the maximum number of cars you will have in the cavalcade is just over 30. It will make it a bit more manageable.”
Moriarty said he was hopeful the exclusion of individual entries would encourage more county and provincial teams to enter. He also believed a strong U23 Irish national team would be entered.
“And we’ll have very strong teams from the UK, Isle of Man, France, Holland, Italy and the best Irish squads,” he added.
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The race unfolds over four days from April 18th to 21st, with the route set to be confirmed in coming weeks.
There will be at least one stage change from last year’s format, though a summit finish on Connor Pass like that won by Mark Dowling, then of DID Dunboyne, two years ago seems to have been ruled out.
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The continued backing of Kerry Group has been welcomed by the race’s technical director Michael Concannon.
“Kerry Group is one of the top sporting sponsorship brands in the country and the fact that they are continuing their support of the event is a big statement that the race is continuing to go from strength to strength,” he said.
“Already, newly formed Irish teams have expressed their intention to be on the line for the start on Good Friday to take on more established outfits from both home and abroad.”
Kerry Group director of corporate affairs, Frank Hayes said the company was delighted to continue its involvement.
“This is our sixth year as title sponsors and the success of this competition each year is testament to the hard work and dedication of the local cycling club in Killorglan along with all the clubs in Kerry and further afield,” he said.
“Kerry Group Rás Mumhan is now recognised internationally as one of the top competitive stage races in Ireland and Britain.”
Clubs and teams interested in taking part in the race should contact the race secretary Mary Concannon on 00 353 64 6644396, 00 353 87 2802071 or [email protected]
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