Ryan Sherlock missed out on the overall win in Kerry this year on the final stage (Photo: Pat Doherty)
One of the biggest names in the Irish corporate sector, Kerry Group has extended its sponsorship of Rás Mumhan over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, one of the leading stage races on the domestic circuit.
Kerry Group director of corporate affairs, Frank Hayes said the race was now a top class international event that the company was delighted to be associated with.
“This is our fifth year as title sponsors of the race which continues to grow in stature each year and increasingly plays a significant role in promoting racing in Ireland,” he said.
The race’s continued place on the home scene as the key event that the top riders want to win had resulted from the hard work of Killorglin CC and the other clubs and race personnel who put so much effort in every year.
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“Kerry Group Rás Mumhan is now recognised both home and abroad as one of the top competitive stage races in Ireland and Britain,” Hayes added.
On behalf of the race organisation, race secretary Mary Concannon said: “Kerry Group is the top sporting sponsorship brand in this country and the fact that they are continuing their sponsorship and association with the event is a big statement that the race is continuing to go from strength to strength.”
While the welcome sponsorship extension brings continuity to the race’s financial future, the organisers are planning some route changes for the 2013 event.
The second stage, on Easter Saturday, will now start and finish in Kenmare. At 145km in length, it will take in the Healy Pass - the biggest climb of the race - and will mainly stick to roads on the Beara Peninsula in Co Cork, including Castletownbere, Eyries, Lauragh, Adrigole and Glengarriffe.
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While the Conor Pass finish of the last couple of years may be gone, the stage looks like a tough one, with the tunnel road to be negotiated twice – on the way out and back – and a category two climb to be negotiated there each time.
The other three stages will take the riders on the routes traditionally used by the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan and on which the race’s heritage has been built.
The curtain raiser on Good Friday will start and finish in Killorglin and will take in Killarney, Kilcummin, Scartaglin, Castleisland and Milltown; a total of 100km.
Easter Sunday’s 140km stage three will again take place in South Kerry, starting and finishing in Waterville and will also include a trip to Valentia Island.
The final day which takes place on Easter Monday comprises the traditional three laps of the Beaufort circuit, followed by nine laps of the Killorglin town circuit, totalling 115km.
In total there is 500km of road waiting for those who take to the start line.
Clubs, teams or individual riders interested in taking part in the race should contact Mary Concannon on: 00 353 64 44396 OR 00 353 87 2802071 and by email on [email protected].
For further details check out the official race website at www.rasmumhan.com
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