Adam Armstrong leads an early breakaway on stage 3 of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan 2012
By Brian Canty
Kerry Group Rás Mumhan race director Tadhg Moriarty has warned riders with designs on making an impact on this year’s event to be “prepared for one of the hardest stages in the history of the race.”
Moriarty, whose son Eugene is a former winner of the event, believes the Easter Saturday stage around west Cork, where riders will race over 150 kilometres, could “blow the race to bits”.
And with that Easter Saturday being the last day before the clocks go forward bringing brighter evenings, Moriarty joked that those who are not in good shape should consider bringing a torch.
“That Saturday stage out around Castletownbere and Allihies is up there with the hardest stages in the history of the race and riders will need to be prepared for that. We won’t be getting started that day until 12 noon and guys are going to be on the road for several hours. There will be massive splits that day and some guys might even want to consider bring the torches because it’ll be the last day of the old time and will close in very quickly.”
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Indeed, the Caha Pass is one of the most difficult climbs, not alone in Kerry but in Ireland. And riders will race over that twice, the second of which will come after over three hours in the saddle.
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Details of the stage elevation can be got here.
The race has grown in stature over the years and enjoys an ever-improving reputation on the Continent and it’s no surprise to see a surge in interest again this year.
To that end, Moriarty has urged home-based riders to get their entries in as soon as possible to ensure they are included on the start-list.
“It’s still only January but we’ve already huge interest from abroad again,” he said.
“Last year we had two Dutch teams – this year we are going to have one more than that. We’ve also interest shown from a team in Luxembourg and Italy while the English teams and the Isle of Man team will be coming again. Last year we had 165 riders starting, I’m expecting more this year – but I can tell you they won’t all finish.”
Click here for entry form in PDF format.
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