Liam Flanagan has won his second Rás stage, and his APS team mate Conn McDunphy, above, has been crowned overall winner, making for the perfect day for the team in Dunboyne at the conclusion of Rás Tailteann 2026 (Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan)
Conn McDunphy (APS Pro Cycling) has been crowned Rás Tailteann champion for 2026 at the conclusion of the final stage in Dunboyne, Co Meath.
His victory, one of the most deserved on this race for many years, was built on a really consistent ride through the week, followed by proving the strongest on the Wicklow Gap on Saturday’s queen stage.
The climb of Glenmalure had to be removed from Saturday’s route, due to the impact of road resurfacing, which initially angered McDunphy. However, in the end it made no difference as the former Lucan CRC rider was able to ‘make the difference’, and some, on the Wicklow Gap.
And so he ends this race as the champion, capping a career that has seen him, to date, race all over the world with UCI Continental teams and pick up some very tidy wins in UCI-ranked races along the way.
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Though there was plenty of aggression on the 141km final stage, right from the start in Carlow on Sunday, none of the groups managed to pull out a winning advantage.
And so a bunch hurtled into the final intact, after multiple breakaways had been closed down, with stage 3 winner Liam Flanagan (APS Pro Cycling) taking the stage 5 victory from yesterday’s winner Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) and Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey).
How in unfolded
An 11-man group was clear for a prolonged period on the 141km stage from Carlow to the big finish in Dunboyne, Co Meath.
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In that group were: Daire Feeley (Burren CC), Liam Crowley (Team Ireland), Luke Smith (Cycling Leinster), Odhran Doogan (Caldwell Powerhouse), Danylo Riwnyj (Foran CT), Adam Lewis (APS Pro Cycling), Ivan Linser (Cyclesport.com), Michael Gill (DAS Richardsons), Tom Armstrong (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli), Matthew Webber (Taap Kalas) and Alex Pickering (Ride Revolution Coaching).
However, by the time the race entered the finishing circuits - for three laps, with 45km to go - the gap was right down, with the team of yellow jersey McDunphy leading the chase.
Crowley then attacked the group and was leading solo, just a few seconds up on a chase group.
Stage 5 finish in Dunboyne #Rás2026 pic.twitter.com/lLndU7k5Ir
— Rás Tailteann (@rastailteann) May 24, 2026
That group included: Riwnyj, Ewan MacKie (Connacht Cycling), Pim Freeman (West Frisia), Matthew Bostock (Isle of Man), Olivier Manghan (Isel of Man CC) and Jackson Duncan (Cyclesport.com).
The situation changed again on the final lap, with a new group going clear.
It included: junior Hugh Óg Mulhearne and Liam Crowley (both Team Ireland), Liam Flanagan (APS Pro Cycling), Zach Walker (Isle of Man), Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli), Ronan McLaughlin (Foyle CC) and Matthew Bostock (Isle of Man).
However, though they continued to have a small advantage well beyond the 10km to go marker, with about 6km to go, the race was back together and looked to be heading for a bunch sprint in Dunboyne.
