The route for this year's Rás Tailteann has been revealed today, with the race set to start in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on May 22nd, and finish five days later on a circuit in Bective, Co Meath.
There are 18 categorised climbs this year, on a 785km course, and while the race can split anywhere - it is the Rás after all - stage 2 jumps out as an important one.
It takes the riders 187km from Kanturk in Co Cork to Sneem in Co Kerry and is the longest stage, with six climbs. Those ascents include a trio of cat 3 climbs early in the day - at Scartaglen, Milltown and Glencar.
Then comes the testing cat 1 of Ballaghasheen Pass, followed by the cat 2 Coomakista, with a final cat 3 ascent on the 16km finishing circuit.
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However, that's just one stage in detail. There is, of course, five days of racing and you can get all the details just below.
Rás Tailteann | The Big One
Wed, May 22nd, Stage 1 | Tullamore, County Offaly to Kilmallock, County Limerick 148km
Tullamore – Birr – Borrisokane – Nenagh - Birdhill - Newport – Caherconlish – Bruff - Kilmallock
The 2024 edition of the race will depart from Tullamore in the heart of the Irish Midlands on Wednesday, 22nd May 2024. Taking in two x category three climbs en route to a first-ever stage finish in Kilmallock, Co Limerick. On paper, this stage does not appear particularly tough, but the ‘BikePark’ category three climb between Birr and Borrisokane will surely cause some early damage. Later in the stage, there is another category three climb at Birdhill. There are a lot of twisty and undulating roads in the latter part of the stage, which could make the day very interesting. As per tradition, there will be three hot spot sprints along the stage to intensify the fight for the race's first coveted yellow jersey.
Thurs, May 23rd, Stage 2 | Kanturk, County Cork to Sneem, County Kerry 187km
Kanturk – Newmarket – Ballydesmond – Castleisland - Killorglin – Waterville – Caherdaniel - Sneem
The race transfers to Kanturk, County Cork, for the start of stage two, which is the hometown of multiple ‘Men of the Rás’ through the years, including our current champion, Dillon Corkery.
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What can only be described as an epic and arduous 187KM stage awaits the riders with six categorised climbs including early category three’s at both Scartaglen and Milltown. A further category three strikes at Glencar before the infamous challenge of the category 1 over Ballaghasheen Pass. Later in the stage, the Coomikista category two climb awaits on the ring road towards Sneem.
Once the race enters the finish town, it will pass through the finish line and complete a further 16KM loop, which includes one final category three climb. Stage two will surely be a telling day in the battle for overall honours.
Fri, May 24th, Stage 3 | Kenmare, County Kerry to Cahir, County Tipperary 155km
Kenmare – Kilgarvan – Glenfesk – Rathmore – Mallow – Doneraile – Mitchelstown - Cahir
The race will transfer to Kenmare for the start of stage three. This stage will bring mostly flat and fast roads with three x category three climbs along the way. On paper, it certainly seems like a day for the sprinters as the Rás Tailteann heads for Cahir, which will host a stage finish for the first time since 1967.
Sat, May 25th, Stage 4 | Horse and Jockey, County Tipperary to Kildare Town, County Kildare 139km
Horse and Jockey – Urlingford – Ballyragget – Castlecomer – Killeshin – Carlow – Stradbally – Kildangan – Monasterevin - Kildare Town
After a transfer to Horse and Jockey, the early parts of stage four are on mostly flat and fast roads, yet things are sure to heat up after Ballyragget with two category three climbs in quick concession before and after Castlecomer. The category one Gorteen climb is followed by a further two category two climbs on the roads between Castlecomer and Carlow which are sure to split things up at the head of the race. Once the climbing finishes for the day, there's a relatively flat 60KM run into the finish in Kildare Town. We will have to wait and see if there's enough time for riders to regroup after the climbs or if someone can spoil the party ahead of the final stage.
Sun, May 26th, Stage 5 | Maynooth, County Kildare to Bective, County Meath 156km
Maynooth - Dunboyne – Ratoath – Ashbourne – Stamullen – Julianstown - Laytown – Drogheda - Donore - Garlow Cross - Bective
Starting from the university town of Maynooth, County Kildare, the final stage mostly passes through the rich pastures of County Meath. The race will make its way from Maynooth across to the East Coast before swinging back inland towards Bective on the banks of the Boyne, where the riders will complete 3 laps of the 14.1KM finishing circuit. There are two category three climbs along the way before a super-fast circuit awaits in Bective for this year's edition's final hour of racing, where the 2024 Rás Tailteann winner will get their hands on the famous George Plant trophy.
