The start of the Rás each day looks so civilised; above. But when the riders go to war on the open road it's a different story, as our photo below reveals.
Anyone who's ever ridden the Rás will smile, and probably wince a little too, when they look at the photo below.
This isn't a line out; it's a Rás line out.
The shot was taken by well known Irish commissaire Gary McIlroy who is officiating on the race this week on behalf of the UCI at its 2.2 ranked eight-day race.
The shot was taken on today's stage 7 from Ballinamore to Drogheda.
The field is lined out in one long line as the strong riders attack and force the pace at the front.
Up there is likely - we say "likely" because the front of the bunch is so far away we can't see it - a group of riders fanned out across the road sharing the workload as the breeze comes from the right.
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But the road is only wide enough for perhaps 10 to 15 men rotating in that way at the head of affairs.
And every other rider down the bunch is lined out in single file, having the legs ripped of them because they can't get shelter from the crosswind from the rider in front.
This photo is the essence of the Rás; take a bow Mr McIlroy.
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