The Kerry Group Rás Mumhan starts this Friday and it promises to be one of the most open races in years. With seven of the top ten from last year NOT racing, it's to be a cracking spectacle. Here are the men we reckon will challenge for the overall...
Robbert Jan Mol (Combi Lift – WF)
The 27-year old Dutchman is a former stage winner and is no stranger to the Easter showpiece in Kerry - but has never won overall here.
In fact, not since Denis Bakker in 2012 has a man from the Netherlands even won a stage.
Having spent time with the team on a training camp in Spain recently – taking second in one of the biggest one-day races on the Catalan calendar, Jan Mol is primed to deliver some big results this weekend.
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If not him, his teammate Joury Ottenbros is a banker to challenge the U23 jersey as well as the overall.
He was 20th overall last year and has previously raced with the continental-ranked squad Parkhotel Valkenburg.
Adam Armstrong and Mark Dowling (both ASEA-Wheelworx)
Either of these two can win stages and the overall and with a strong team, they’ll be among the favourites for the yellow jersey.
Dowling knows the race very well and from winning stages, to winning – and losing the yellow jersey, before winning it outright, he knows exactly what it takes.
His only concern is how heavily-marked he’s likely to be.
This should open the door for any one of their number, with last year’s third place finisher Ali Macaulay, Chris Reilly and Stephen Shanahan – as well as Armstrong making up a formidable team.
Ian Richardson (Irish Development Team)
Though hardly a development rider, Richardson (UCD CC-Fitzcycles) spearheads the national team for what will be a very proud weekend for him.
The top 10 finisher from last year’s An Post Ras has the miles in his legs, the know-how and the experience to pick his moments here.
Expect him to be highly-motivated to deliver a result.
Sean Lacey (Aqua Blue)
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The 2011 winner of the race is in mean condition at the moment and has never hidden his love for his home race.
He’s always sniffing for opportunities and usually takes them when the opportunity arises.
The manner in which he won five years ago – infiltrating an early break that stayed away, was truly stunning.
He’ll be one of the most-watched men this weekend.
Alex Foster (Team Bikehaus – UK)
A talented little rider, the 19-year old is a former Junior Tour of Ireland stage winner and could challenge again here.
He’s in a decent five-man line-up, one of three teams travelling from the UK.
Cathal Moynihan (Manor West Hotel, Tralee/iBike)
The ex-Olympian won the opening stage in 2014 and wore the yellow jersey for the following day.
He’d lose it on stage two but take second on the tough third stage to Paidi O’Brien.
It’s reasonable to assume that anyone who contends on stage three this weekend can push for the overall and having won the Donal Crowley Memorial in Blarney last weekend, Moynihan looks in decent shape to challenge again.
Anthony Murray (Cunga CC - GMIT)
The Mayo man has spent recent years in Australia but is back now and will spearhead the Cong club’s assault on the yellow jersey.
He was eighth overall in 2014 so has the pedigree and with a strong team featuring Jason Prendergast and Davy O’Loughlin he will be one to keep a close eye on.
Notable mentions; Chris McNamara (Surrey League – Casco Europe), Paddy Clarke (Killarney CC B), Ruben Dorren (Combilift – West Frisia)
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