Here’s our whistle-stop preview of the 70th Rás Tailteann (21-25 May 2025): five stages, 706 km and a whole lot of unpredictability. Expect a sprinter’s scramble out of Drogheda, GC fireworks on Windy Gap and Wolftrap, and a fast-and-fraught Bective finale where the George Plant trophy will finally find its owner. Defending champ Dom Jackson headlines an eight-team British line-up backed by track-powered GB talent, while the lone UCI squad, Team Skyline, and 16 fired-up Irish teams aim to keep the prize on home soil.
Wednesday marks the opening stage of the 70th Rás Tailteann, a race that needs little introduction. Steeped in history and widely known as just ‘the Ràs’, it remains Ireland’s premier stage race and has played a key role in the careers of some of the world’s best riders – Stephen Roche, who took the win almost a decade before his triple crown triumph in 1979, and four-time World Time Trial champion Tony Martin, the victor of the 2007 edition, both counted among the ‘men of the Rás’.
With it’s close proximity to the UK mainland, the race has always been important to British riders and teams, taking on even more of a significant role recently, owing to the lack of stage races on the domestic calendar. This year, eight British squads and one from the Isle of Man travel across the Irish Sea, led by Foran CT, who defend the title with Dom Jackson after a stunning team display 12 months ago.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
What is it?
A 2.2 UCI ranked race until 2018, the Rás was forced to take a break until 2022 due to lack of sponsorship, returning with non-UCI status since.
Held over five stages, the race starts on Wednesday in Drogheda, home town of organiser Ger Campbell, and finishes on Sunday in Bective. Unpredictable, fast, and fierce, the racing is similar to that seen in Britain, with everything to play for until they cross the finish line – 2023 winner Dillon Corkery famously overhauling a deficit of over two minutes on the final stage to wrestle the leader’s jersey off Connor McGoldrick in Bective.
As well as the General Classification, where the winner will receive the coveted George Plant trophy, one of the most majestic in any sport, there is a Points Classification, won last year by Wheelbase CabTech Castelli all-rounder Tim Shoreman, with points available at stage finishes and intermediate sprints. On top of those is a King of the Hills competition, with the number of points available at the summit of the 12 categorised climbs along the route, varying by their difficulty.
Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
The route
At 706km, the route for the 2025 edition is shorter than usual, although still packs a punch over the five days, with every stage having the potential to decide the outcome of the race. There are 12 categorised climbs en route, including two first category ascents, the toughest in the race.
A rare stage race at this level, especially one held over five stages, fatigue could be an issue towards the end of the week, especially with the uncontrollable style of racing the rolling landscape of the Emerald Isle lends itself to.
Stage One: Drogheda – Boyle 155.5Kms
Passing through the rolling roads of North Meath and Leitrim, the race makes its way into County Roscommon, home of 2022 Rás winner Daire Feeley, heading towards what the organisation describes as a fast finish into Boyle, the first time there race has finished there since 1994.
On paper the stage is one for the sprinters, with only the third category climb of Oldcastle Legends Sliabh na Cailligh in the opening third of the stage to break the race open. However, with three intermediate sprints coming in quick succession in the second half of proceedings, the peloton is likely to be active.
Last year’s opening stage saw eventual winner Dom Jackson gain what would become a race winning advantage on a similar parcours, evidence that anything can happen on the Irish roads and ensuring a fascinating battle all the way into the finish.
Stage Two: Charlestown – Clifden 170.9km
A test sure to shake up the General Classification, Stage Two is one which could be considered the queen stage of the race, with no fewer than five classified climbs littered along the route.
Tackled in the first half of the stage, the category one Windy Gap climb is on paper the toughest climb of the race. Playing out over 5.4km, the gradient is uneven, reaching over 20% at its gruelling maximum, and averaging out at a tricky 6.4%. It is the ideal launchpad for attacks, the second half of the stage as difficult as the first. Four categorised climbs, two third and two second, come within a 30km stretch, and although the final summit is reached with over 30km to the finish line, the roads to Clifden are open, exposing the riders to the elements as they head to the finish.
The racing is set to be flat out from the gun and with no let up over the 170km, the winner will be not only a worthy one, but a major player in the General Classification race.
Stage Three: Cong – Miltown Malbay 163.8kms
The race heads to the west coast on Friday for another tricky stage, three climbs and a coastal run to the first finish in over half a century in Miltown Malbay the obstacles for the riders to navigate.
Beginning with the famous Corkscrew Hill, a second category climb (1.9km at 6%) after 120km of the stage, riders face two more climbs within 25km as they race along the Wild Atlantic Way, riders having little time to take in the stunning scenery in such an action packed finale, ‘wild’ an apt word to describe the final 50km of another key stage.
Stage Four: Ennis – Mountrath 128.1kms
The shortest stage of the race packs a heavy punch late on, with the summit of the Wolftrap climb coming only 14km from the stage finish.
After a relatively flat start, the riders head to the beautiful Sliabh Blooms Mountains where the 5km, 5.4%, category one climb is sure to split the race up and once again shake up the General Classification heading into the final stage. If they can thwart a breakaway, the climbers will be relishing the chance to impress with the final 14km largely downhill into Mountrath.
Whoever is in the yellow jersey after today will start as the favourite for Sunday’s final stage, a position they will have certainly earned.
Stage Five: Kildare Town – Bective 142.8kms
The race finishes in Bective once again, where cycling takes centre stage over the town’s most famous export, horse racing, for the conclusion of the Ràs on Sunday.
The largely flat stage is not to be underestimated, history demonstrating that anything can happen at the end of five tough days of racing. Following the summit of the category three climb of Quarry Hill, the race enters a slightly changed 12km finishing circuit, four hectic laps around Bective deciding the destination of the George Plant Trophy.
Riders to Watch
The British contingent
With eight British squads and a team from the Isle of Man making the trip across the Irish Sea, there is no shortage of talent wanting to take the Gerry Plant trophy back with them; the Rás remaining among the most important targets for some of the domestic scene’s biggest stars.
Ryan Christensen (Foran CT). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Dom Jackson wears the number one dossard after a brilliant breakthrough victory last year, and the former rower returns with an even stronger Foran CT team with hopes of retaining his title. Jackson has had a quiet start to the season based on the highs he reached last year, although will have prepared well for the race after he, and his team, left no stone unturned last year. Suited to tough, gritty racing, the Londoner is ideally suited to the Rás, who can count on the insight and experience of teammate and former professional Ryan Christensen, who was vital to his win last year. Alex Mayer is a new signing for the team this year and is in excellent form following his podium in the Lincoln Grand Prix earlier this month, the three time Mauritian national champion adding more firepower to Jackson’s armoury alongside reliable domestiques Tom Springbett and Danylo Riwnyj.
Tom Martin. Image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
One rider who hasn’t had a quiet season so far is Tom Martin, who won the Ràs Mumhan, Ireland’s second biggest stage race, in terrific style back in April. A stage winner twelve months ago in Kildare, his attacking no-holds-barred style is perfect for the parcours and unpredictable nature of the race. He forms part of a Wheelbase CabTech Castelli squad brimming with talent, and confidence, following their Lincoln GP performance. Fast finisher Tim Shoreman is another option for the Cumbrian team the powerful Scot won the points jersey last year, but is equally capable of taking the race by the scruff of the neck, while the experienced Tom Armstrong and in-form Aaron King offer the team further options. The squad’s ace in their pack may well be Irish rider Mitchell McLaughlin however, the 26-year-old bringing UCI experience and a series of top-5 results in the Irish National Series so far this season.
Alex Peters. Image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
Alex Peters rode the Ràs when it was a UCI race almost a decade ago and the vastly experienced rider is returning to his best form with the DAS-Richardsons squad, finishing second to James McKay at both the Timmy James Memorial and Lincoln GP this month. His team also includes Will Perrett, who was 5th last year, narrowly missing out on a stage win when finishing second to Tom Martin on Stage Four, while Great Britain track teammate Michael Gill will hope to emulate Alex Pritchard’s opening stage win from last year, the strong time trialist looking at breakaway opportunities as well as being a fine domestique when called upon.
GB National Team. Image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
Perrett and Gill are not the only track riders hoping to demonstrate their road credentials at the race, the Great Britain National Team containing some of the best talent the national squad has to offer. Featuring the former Saint Piran trio of Josh Charlton, the Individual Pursuit world record holder, Rhys Britton, and former Scratch Race World Champion Will Tidball, the five-man team is not short of talent, the trio looking to guide younger teammates Will Salter and Sam Fisher as well as build on their road form from recent outings.
Clay Davies. Image: Mark James
Ride Revolution Coaching have impressed on the National B stage this year, their five riders hoping to make the step up on the international stage. Clay Davies is a prolific winner and the British Cycling number one ranked rider rode a solid race at the Lincoln GP, finishing with National Hill Climb Champion Harry MacFarlane, a specialist over the short climbs littered along the route.
Josh Housley. Image: Darren Athersmith
Josh Housley leads the Primera-TeamJobs effort at the Rás, a race he declared himself excited to return to when chatting to the British Continental at the end of last season. A talented climber, Housley continues to improve after a breakthrough 2024, lighting up the East Cleveland Classic and Lincoln Grand Prix from the front. George Peden leads the TeamPB Performance line in his native Ireland following a 4th place finish last year. A talented time trialist with a bronze medal from the Irish championships twelve months ago, Peden is also an excellent climber, impressing in the break with Housley at the Capernwray Road Race in April and has all the ingredients to go one better and step onto the podium in Bective this time around.
Team PB Performance. Image: Milan Josy/The British Continental
Making its Rás debut, TAAP Kalas arrives with high expectations, having previously performed strongly at Ireland’s Rás Mumhan and in British domestic races. Team manager Henry Latimer has promised an aggressive approach, targeting prominent stage performances in their first attempt at the iconic Irish race. Ollie Hucks performed strongly at the Rás Mumham earlier this year but misses the race through illness. However, guest rider Alex Pritchard was a stage winner last year and will hope to repeat the feat this time around. Cycling Club Isle of Man will make its fourth consecutive appearance, bringing considerable experience to the challenging Irish roads. The Manx team has consistently been competitive, regularly achieving top-ten stage finishes in recent years. This year they will have a not-so-secret weapon in guest rider George Kimber, the 2024 National Road Series victor.
American squad Team Skyline add an international flavour to affairs, and are the only UCI Continental team in the race, led by British climber Adam Lewis. Coming agonisingly close to a maiden UCI win at the Tour of the Gila last month, stage four will be of particular interest to him, although the Walsall rider will have an eye on the overall victory having been well versed in exposed and unpredictable racing through his time in both Belgium and Great Britain over his career. Alongside Lewis, Irishman Conn McDunphy is another rider with the potential for overall victory for the team, having finished 2nd last year and taken victory in the Ras Mhaigh Eo stage race back in March.
Home favourites
16 Irish teams are set to light up their home race, led by the Irish National Team. Former Trinity Racing recruit Dean Harvey is among their number and now 22, has the potential for a breakthrough win. A fine cyclocross rider, Belfast’s Harvey impressed with 10th place at the 2023 Lincoln GP where a 10th place failed to do his ride justice. A former King of the Hills in the Ràs and the newly crowned Irish criterium champion, there is little to suggest he can’t continue his good form and come of age, playing a major role in the General Classification battle this year.
One rider who has won the race before is 2022 victor Daire Feeley, who heads up the Burrenn CC squad, the opening stage finishing in his home county. Feeley heads to the race in prime form, having taken victory in the Crotty/Cotter Cup less than a fortnight ago.
Image: Caroline Kerley
Kevin McCambridge (Cycling Ulster) is another Trinity Racing alumnus who has impressed in his home country this year, while Matthew Teggart (Banbridge CC Specsavers) takes on the race for the first time since coming out of retirement, recording a pair of top ten finishes in the Irish National Series thus far. An experienced rider at UCI Continental level, it will be fascinating too see how his form holds up against many of his former sparring partners.
In a closely fought National Series, many riders have impressed with consistent top five results, among them Gareth O’Neill (Dan Morrissey Pissei), who took victories at the Carn Classic and Coombes-Connor Memorial, as well as finishing runner-up to Israel Premier Tech Academy starlet Sam Coleman at the PJ Logan Cup.
Wednesday marks the opening stage of the 70th Rás Tailteann, a race that needs little introduction. Steeped in history and widely known as just ‘the Ràs’, it remains Ireland’s premier stage race and has played a key role in the careers of some of the world’s best riders – Stephen Roche, who took the win almost a decade before his triple crown triumph in 1979, and four-time World Time Trial champion Tony Martin, the victor of the 2007 edition, both counted among the ‘men of the Rás’.
With it’s close proximity to the UK mainland, the race has always been important to British riders and teams, taking on even more of a significant role recently, owing to the lack of stage races on the domestic calendar. This year, eight British squads and one from the Isle of Man travel across the Irish Sea, led by Foran CT, who defend the title with Dom Jackson after a stunning team display 12 months ago.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
What is it?
A 2.2 UCI ranked race until 2018, the Rás was forced to take a break until 2022 due to lack of sponsorship, returning with non-UCI status since.
Held over five stages, the race starts on Wednesday in Drogheda, home town of organiser Ger Campbell, and finishes on Sunday in Bective. Unpredictable, fast, and fierce, the racing is similar to that seen in Britain, with everything to play for until they cross the finish line – 2023 winner Dillon Corkery famously overhauling a deficit of over two minutes on the final stage to wrestle the leader’s jersey off Connor McGoldrick in Bective.
As well as the General Classification, where the winner will receive the coveted George Plant trophy, one of the most majestic in any sport, there is a Points Classification, won last year by Wheelbase CabTech Castelli all-rounder Tim Shoreman, with points available at stage finishes and intermediate sprints. On top of those is a King of the Hills competition, with the number of points available at the summit of the 12 categorised climbs along the route, varying by their difficulty.
The route
At 706km, the route for the 2025 edition is shorter than usual, although still packs a punch over the five days, with every stage having the potential to decide the outcome of the race. There are 12 categorised climbs en route, including two first category ascents, the toughest in the race.
A rare stage race at this level, especially one held over five stages, fatigue could be an issue towards the end of the week, especially with the uncontrollable style of racing the rolling landscape of the Emerald Isle lends itself to.
Stage One: Drogheda – Boyle 155.5Kms
Passing through the rolling roads of North Meath and Leitrim, the race makes its way into County Roscommon, home of 2022 Rás winner Daire Feeley, heading towards what the organisation describes as a fast finish into Boyle, the first time there race has finished there since 1994.
On paper the stage is one for the sprinters, with only the third category climb of Oldcastle Legends Sliabh na Cailligh in the opening third of the stage to break the race open. However, with three intermediate sprints coming in quick succession in the second half of proceedings, the peloton is likely to be active.
Last year’s opening stage saw eventual winner Dom Jackson gain what would become a race winning advantage on a similar parcours, evidence that anything can happen on the Irish roads and ensuring a fascinating battle all the way into the finish.
Stage Two: Charlestown – Clifden 170.9km
A test sure to shake up the General Classification, Stage Two is one which could be considered the queen stage of the race, with no fewer than five classified climbs littered along the route.
Tackled in the first half of the stage, the category one Windy Gap climb is on paper the toughest climb of the race. Playing out over 5.4km, the gradient is uneven, reaching over 20% at its gruelling maximum, and averaging out at a tricky 6.4%. It is the ideal launchpad for attacks, the second half of the stage as difficult as the first. Four categorised climbs, two third and two second, come within a 30km stretch, and although the final summit is reached with over 30km to the finish line, the roads to Clifden are open, exposing the riders to the elements as they head to the finish.
The racing is set to be flat out from the gun and with no let up over the 170km, the winner will be not only a worthy one, but a major player in the General Classification race.
Stage Three: Cong – Miltown Malbay 163.8kms
The race heads to the west coast on Friday for another tricky stage, three climbs and a coastal run to the first finish in over half a century in Miltown Malbay the obstacles for the riders to navigate.
Beginning with the famous Corkscrew Hill, a second category climb (1.9km at 6%) after 120km of the stage, riders face two more climbs within 25km as they race along the Wild Atlantic Way, riders having little time to take in the stunning scenery in such an action packed finale, ‘wild’ an apt word to describe the final 50km of another key stage.
Stage Four: Ennis – Mountrath 128.1kms
The shortest stage of the race packs a heavy punch late on, with the summit of the Wolftrap climb coming only 14km from the stage finish.
After a relatively flat start, the riders head to the beautiful Sliabh Blooms Mountains where the 5km, 5.4%, category one climb is sure to split the race up and once again shake up the General Classification heading into the final stage. If they can thwart a breakaway, the climbers will be relishing the chance to impress with the final 14km largely downhill into Mountrath.
Whoever is in the yellow jersey after today will start as the favourite for Sunday’s final stage, a position they will have certainly earned.
Stage Five: Kildare Town – Bective 142.8kms
The race finishes in Bective once again, where cycling takes centre stage over the town’s most famous export, horse racing, for the conclusion of the Ràs on Sunday.
The largely flat stage is not to be underestimated, history demonstrating that anything can happen at the end of five tough days of racing. Following the summit of the category three climb of Quarry Hill, the race enters a slightly changed 12km finishing circuit, four hectic laps around Bective deciding the destination of the George Plant Trophy.
Riders to Watch
The British contingent
With eight British squads and a team from the Isle of Man making the trip across the Irish Sea, there is no shortage of talent wanting to take the Gerry Plant trophy back with them; the Rás remaining among the most important targets for some of the domestic scene’s biggest stars.
Dom Jackson wears the number one dossard after a brilliant breakthrough victory last year, and the former rower returns with an even stronger Foran CT team with hopes of retaining his title. Jackson has had a quiet start to the season based on the highs he reached last year, although will have prepared well for the race after he, and his team, left no stone unturned last year. Suited to tough, gritty racing, the Londoner is ideally suited to the Rás, who can count on the insight and experience of teammate and former professional Ryan Christensen, who was vital to his win last year. Alex Mayer is a new signing for the team this year and is in excellent form following his podium in the Lincoln Grand Prix earlier this month, the three time Mauritian national champion adding more firepower to Jackson’s armoury alongside reliable domestiques Tom Springbett and Danylo Riwnyj.
One rider who hasn’t had a quiet season so far is Tom Martin, who won the Ràs Mumhan, Ireland’s second biggest stage race, in terrific style back in April. A stage winner twelve months ago in Kildare, his attacking no-holds-barred style is perfect for the parcours and unpredictable nature of the race. He forms part of a Wheelbase CabTech Castelli squad brimming with talent, and confidence, following their Lincoln GP performance. Fast finisher Tim Shoreman is another option for the Cumbrian team the powerful Scot won the points jersey last year, but is equally capable of taking the race by the scruff of the neck, while the experienced Tom Armstrong and in-form Aaron King offer the team further options. The squad’s ace in their pack may well be Irish rider Mitchell McLaughlin however, the 26-year-old bringing UCI experience and a series of top-5 results in the Irish National Series so far this season.
Alex Peters rode the Ràs when it was a UCI race almost a decade ago and the vastly experienced rider is returning to his best form with the DAS-Richardsons squad, finishing second to James McKay at both the Timmy James Memorial and Lincoln GP this month. His team also includes Will Perrett, who was 5th last year, narrowly missing out on a stage win when finishing second to Tom Martin on Stage Four, while Great Britain track teammate Michael Gill will hope to emulate Alex Pritchard’s opening stage win from last year, the strong time trialist looking at breakaway opportunities as well as being a fine domestique when called upon.
Perrett and Gill are not the only track riders hoping to demonstrate their road credentials at the race, the Great Britain National Team containing some of the best talent the national squad has to offer. Featuring the former Saint Piran trio of Josh Charlton, the Individual Pursuit world record holder, Rhys Britton, and former Scratch Race World Champion Will Tidball, the five-man team is not short of talent, the trio looking to guide younger teammates Will Salter and Sam Fisher as well as build on their road form from recent outings.
Ride Revolution Coaching have impressed on the National B stage this year, their five riders hoping to make the step up on the international stage. Clay Davies is a prolific winner and the British Cycling number one ranked rider rode a solid race at the Lincoln GP, finishing with National Hill Climb Champion Harry MacFarlane, a specialist over the short climbs littered along the route.
Josh Housley leads the Primera-TeamJobs effort at the Rás, a race he declared himself excited to return to when chatting to the British Continental at the end of last season. A talented climber, Housley continues to improve after a breakthrough 2024, lighting up the East Cleveland Classic and Lincoln Grand Prix from the front. George Peden leads the Team PB Performance line in his native Ireland following a 4th place finish last year. A talented time trialist with a bronze medal from the Irish championships twelve months ago, Peden is also an excellent climber, impressing in the break with Housley at the Capernwray Road Race in April and has all the ingredients to go one better and step onto the podium in Bective this time around.
Making its Rás debut, TAAP Kalas arrives with high expectations, having previously performed strongly at Ireland’s Rás Mumhan and in British domestic races. Team manager Henry Latimer has promised an aggressive approach, targeting prominent stage performances in their first attempt at the iconic Irish race. Ollie Hucks performed strongly at the Rás Mumham earlier this year but misses the race through illness. However, guest rider Alex Pritchard was a stage winner last year and will hope to repeat the feat this time around. Cycling Club Isle of Man will make its fourth consecutive appearance, bringing considerable experience to the challenging Irish roads. The Manx team has consistently been competitive, regularly achieving top-ten stage finishes in recent years. This year they will have a not-so-secret weapon in guest rider George Kimber, the 2024 National Road Series victor.
American squad Team Skyline add an international flavour to affairs, and are the only UCI Continental team in the race, led by British climber Adam Lewis. Coming agonisingly close to a maiden UCI win at the Tour of the Gila last month, stage four will be of particular interest to him, although the Walsall rider will have an eye on the overall victory having been well versed in exposed and unpredictable racing through his time in both Belgium and Great Britain over his career. Alongside Lewis, Irishman Conn McDunphy is another rider with the potential for overall victory for the team, having finished 2nd last year and taken victory in the Ras Mhaigh Eo stage race back in March.
Home favourites
16 Irish teams are set to light up their home race, led by the Irish National Team. Former Trinity Racing recruit Dean Harvey is among their number and now 22, has the potential for a breakthrough win. A fine cyclocross rider, Belfast’s Harvey impressed with 10th place at the 2023 Lincoln GP where a 10th place failed to do his ride justice. A former King of the Hills in the Ràs and the newly crowned Irish criterium champion, there is little to suggest he can’t continue his good form and come of age, playing a major role in the General Classification battle this year.
One rider who has won the race before is 2022 victor Daire Feeley, who heads up the Burrenn CC squad, the opening stage finishing in his home county. Feeley heads to the race in prime form, having taken victory in the Crotty/Cotter Cup less than a fortnight ago.
Kevin McCambridge (Cycling Ulster) is another Trinity Racing alumnus who has impressed in his home country this year, while Matthew Teggart (Banbridge CC Specsavers) takes on the race for the first time since coming out of retirement, recording a pair of top ten finishes in the Irish National Series thus far. An experienced rider at UCI Continental level, it will be fascinating too see how his form holds up against many of his former sparring partners.
In a closely fought National Series, many riders have impressed with consistent top five results, among them Gareth O’Neill (Dan Morrissey Pissei), who took victories at the Carn Classic and Coombes-Connor Memorial, as well as finishing runner-up to Israel Premier Tech Academy starlet Sam Coleman at the PJ Logan Cup.
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