Rás Tailteann will not go ahead this year; final decision just made

Rás Tailteann races over the Wicklow Gap in 2018. The organisers have said the event will not take place in 2020, after the Covid19 pandemic had conspired against them (Photo: Bryan Keane - Inpho)

Rás Tailteann will not go ahead this year due to the continued uncertainty over the Covid19 pandemic.

While infection rates remain low in Ireland and the economy and Irish sporting life is reopening, the race organisers, Cáirde Rás Tailteann, have decided against holding the event this year.

However, the promoters have said the race will take place again next season, after what will be a two-year break.

Rás Tailteann lost its sponsorship after the 2017 edition
and while the race was run on cash reserves in 2018, there was no race last
year and now this year’s edition has unfortunately been called off.

Cáirde Rás Tailteann said it had put in a very significant effort to make the race happen this year.

However, after monitoring the changing conditions and health guidance, as well as consulting volunteers and stakeholders, it had decided not to go ahead this year.

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Race director Eugene Moriarty, centre, said while all involved had worked hard to try and get the 2020 Rás Tailteann over the line they had to make a decision to call it off and look to next year (Photo: Bryan Keane - Inpho)
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“Notwithstanding quicker relaxation of restrictions than
anticipated, the opportunity to safely put the race back on the roads around
Ireland before the end of the 2020 road cycling season has contracted rapidly
on us,” said race director Eugene Moriarty.

“Cognizant of the related planning and especially the lingering public health concerns, it was unanimously agreed that the safest, healthiest and most prudent course of action at this time would be to postpone,” he added of looking to next year.

“The group shares the disappointment that circumstances
beyond anyone’s control conspired to prevent the Rás happening this year.

“But the health, well-being and safety of all our volunteers and athletes as well as the general public continue to remain our primary concern,” Moriarty added.

However, the race will take place next year and after the
organising group takes a break for a number of weeks its members will begin
planning again for the 2021 edition.

Cáirde Rás Tailteann said it was very grateful to all of those who had continued to work towards holding the event this year until time and circumstance forced the 2020 event to be called off.

This included Cycling Ireland, Sport Ireland, Rás
volunteers and supporters, Cumann Rás Tailteann as well as Rás stage end
organisers, local authorities and the Garda.

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