The favourites; main riders to watch at Kerry Group Rás Mumhan
Christopher McGlinchey took a gun-to-tape victory at the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan last year but he will not be back this time around to defend his title as he has opted for some training in Tenerife instead. His absence opens the door for plenty others to challenge.
By Brian Canty
Kerry Group Rás Mumhan gets underway tomorrow and there’s another big field of some 185 riders heading down to The Kingdom to do battle.
In there is a quality mix of A1, A2 and A3 riders with a healthy number of 33 men qualifying for the espoir ranks.
Of course out of that bumper bunch only one can win the yellow jersey next Monday. We've picked eight riders we expect to be up there challenging.
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Matteo Cigala Aqua Blue Academy
The Italian import is absolutely flying at the moment and has not been outside the top 10 in any race this year so far.
He is in arguably the strongest team in the race in Aqua Blue Academy. They also have a clutch of riders racing under the Team Cork banner.
Cigala can sprint and climb and is a great man to sniff out a move. He has what it takes to walk away on Monday with the yellow jersey.
He has already won the Bobby Power Memorial and been second in four other races. So he will be one of the hottest of favourites this weekend.
Mark Dowling Strata3-VeloRevolution
He is one of four former winners in the race this weekend; the others being Eugene Moriarty, Sean Lacey and John Dempsey.
Dowling was sick last week and even if that takes the edge off him a little he’s still one of the most feared guys in the peloton.
He won last year’s final stage and has tasted victory on top of Conor Pass in 2012. With a very strong team that includes Bryan McCrystal, Stephen Murray, Simon Ryan and James Davenport he has a great chance.
Eoin Morton UCD-Fitzcycles.ie
Morton has never won a stage of the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan and will look to change that this weekend.
He will definitely be in the shake-up on Saturday and Sunday as they are long, hard stages that suit him.
Saturday in particular is where we can expect to see Morton attacking the race from the outset. And the climbs of Glin inside 30km and Ballyguiltenane shortly afterwards should prove crucial.
He has a strong team with him again this weekend which will be vital for anyone with ambitions of yellow.
Ian Richardson UCD-Fitzcycles.ie
If not Morton, then UCD-Fitzcycles.ie will have their general classification ambitions led by Richardson.
Cut from the same cloth as Morton he is coming into some good form again as the An Post Ras nears. And this weekend will be about racing as hard as he can and taking whatever chances come his way.
We didn’t see the absolute best of him last year as he was riding for teammate and eventual winner McGlinchey.
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But if he’s free to do his own thing this weekend he could land a stage win, or more.
Conn McDunphy Team Ireland Under 23
McDunphy has really come of age this season and has two wins to his name already, the Boyne GP and the Tour of Ards.
He is part of the Irish team that includes Mark O’Callaghan, Jamie Blanchfield, Adam Stenson and Ryan Reilly. They have class in abundance between them.
Irish national team riders have traditionally done well in Kerry. Sean McKenna and McGlinchey winning in recent years.
And in McDunphy they have a man who can certainly join the winners’ list with a bit of luck.
Matthew Garthwaite Rhino Velo Race Team
They’re a new and very ambitious team from the UK who recently competed in the Tour of Malta – and did very well.
Chris Pook was active in breakaways and missed out on the podium by a few seconds.
But Matthew Garthwaite looks like their star turn, as a number of very strong rides in road races in the UK would suggest.
He’s also a superb tester and we expect him to go well next Saturday and Sunday.
Dillon Byrne VCUK Velochampion
Another man who has worn the leader’s jersey in a stage race in Ireland, Byrne returns once more to do battle.
He led the Suir Valley Three-Day back in 2014 going into the final stage. But he was pipped by a flying Mark Dowling who nabbed yellow from him.
Byrne is a classy rider who can sprint very well. So expect him to be in the shake-up on Friday and Monday at the very least.
Dave McGowan VCUK Velochampion
McGowan is a regular visitor to Ireland and he came to our attention at the Suir Valley Three-Day.
Riding for Champion Systems he beat Ed Laverick (JLT Condor Cycles) to take the stage and overall lead in 2015.
He is coming to Kerry with a strong team around him. He will look to impose himself early in the race for yellow.
He has been racing in the National Series in the UK so has plenty of quality miles in his legs.
The others worth consideration
Aside from the above, the race is stacked with men who are proven winners in Kerry in the past.
Among them are Páidí O’Brien (Killorglin CC), Bryan McCrystal (Strata3-VeloRevolution), 2015 stage winner Cathal Moynihan (Tralee Manor West iBike), Paddy Clarke (Westport CC).
O’Brien missed much of last season but always lifts his game for Ras Mumhan. And he is a prolific winner on the opening and closing stages.
He’s also won in Waterville twice - 2014 and 2015. He is unlikely to have the same condition to challenge again but a stage win is always possible.
McCrystal is putting more of an emphasis on triathlon for the time being. But he can still beat anyone on his day, as can Moyhihan and Clarke.
Rowing Olympian turned cyclist Moynihan won the opening stage in 2014. He also wore the yellow jersey and would love another repeat of that.
Mark O’Callaghan is in great form and will wear the Irish jersey with distinction. Richard Maes (Killarney CC) could push for a stage as well, particularly if it comes to a sprint.
Racing gets underway tomorrow in Killorglin at 2.50pm with a ceremonial rollout. It should be back in the town around 5.30 pm for the finish.
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