Stage 2 of Rás Tailteann 2025 was as attritional as it was spectacular, ending with a magnificent solo victory for Will Perrett (DAS–Richardsons) in Clifden and the emergence of a new race leader: 19-year-old Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster), who swept into yellow with a maturity well beyond his years.
Stage 2 of Rás Tailteann 2025 was as attritional as it was spectacular, ending with a magnificent solo victory for Will Perrett (DAS–Richardsons) in Clifden and the emergence of a new race leader: 19-year-old Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster), who swept into yellow with a maturity well beyond his years.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
From the start in Charlestown, the racing was relentless. “It was full gas from the gun,” Perrett would tell Stickybottle afterwards. “It was really tough – the wind, the climbs, the distance – it all added up. 160km of just hard, hard racing,” he told Stickybottle. The day’s route saw the peloton carve across some of Ireland’s most rugged terrain, taking in five categorised climbs including the Category 1 Windy Gap and the energy-sapping ramps of Maumtrasna, Cill Dubh, and An Mám.
On the steeper slopes, the race began to fragment. Adam Lewis (Team Skyline) was particularly aggressive, racking up mountains points to extend his mountains competition lead by day’s end. Sebastian Brenes (Canel’s–Java), Jamie Meehan (UCD), and Josh Charlton (Great Britain) also made repeated appearances at the front as the favourites jostled for position on the twisting climbs and narrow descents.
Ireland’s Dean Harvey pictured descending from Cill Dubh. Image : Lorraine O’Sullivan
The final 30 kilometres were a war of attrition. With the peloton shattered into small groups, a break of 20 riders coalesced featuring Perrett, Doogan, Charlton, Daire Feeley (Burren CC), Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey–Pissei), Matthew Teggart (Banbridge CC), and others. It was here that Perrett made his move—launching a perfectly judged solo attack with around 4 kilometres remaining.
“I attacked, got a gap, and just held it,” Perrett explained post-race. “You don’t really get to enjoy it when it’s just eyeballs out into a headwind. But to win a stage of the Rás? That’s right up there.”
Behind him, Charlton and Doogan took up the chase but couldn’t close the gap. Perrett powered to the line in 3 hours 44 minutes and 22 seconds, six seconds clear of Charlton and Doogan, with the next wave of contenders right on their heels.
Will Perrett wins. Image : Lorraine O’Sullivan
The Donegal teenager Doogan had started the stage third overall and collected intermediate bonuses with quiet efficiency. When he rolled home third the arithmetic clicked: yellow, points, U23 and county-rider jerseys all transferred to the Cycling Ulster colours.
“It felt unbelievable, incredible that I was in yellow,” Doogan told Stickybottle. “It’s something you always dream about, but I never thought it would actually happen.”
As the Rás heads into its third stage, the GC is finely poised. Eight riders sit within 11 seconds of the lead, and with more hills and heavy weather on the horizon, nothing is settled.
Stage 2 of Rás Tailteann 2025 was as attritional as it was spectacular, ending with a magnificent solo victory for Will Perrett (DAS–Richardsons) in Clifden and the emergence of a new race leader: 19-year-old Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster), who swept into yellow with a maturity well beyond his years.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
From the start in Charlestown, the racing was relentless. “It was full gas from the gun,” Perrett would tell Stickybottle afterwards. “It was really tough – the wind, the climbs, the distance – it all added up. 160km of just hard, hard racing,” he told Stickybottle. The day’s route saw the peloton carve across some of Ireland’s most rugged terrain, taking in five categorised climbs including the Category 1 Windy Gap and the energy-sapping ramps of Maumtrasna, Cill Dubh, and An Mám.
On the steeper slopes, the race began to fragment. Adam Lewis (Team Skyline) was particularly aggressive, racking up mountains points to extend his mountains competition lead by day’s end. Sebastian Brenes (Canel’s–Java), Jamie Meehan (UCD), and Josh Charlton (Great Britain) also made repeated appearances at the front as the favourites jostled for position on the twisting climbs and narrow descents.
The final 30 kilometres were a war of attrition. With the peloton shattered into small groups, a break of 20 riders coalesced featuring Perrett, Doogan, Charlton, Daire Feeley (Burren CC), Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey–Pissei), Matthew Teggart (Banbridge CC), and others. It was here that Perrett made his move—launching a perfectly judged solo attack with around 4 kilometres remaining.
“I attacked, got a gap, and just held it,” Perrett explained post-race. “You don’t really get to enjoy it when it’s just eyeballs out into a headwind. But to win a stage of the Rás? That’s right up there.”
Behind him, Charlton and Doogan took up the chase but couldn’t close the gap. Perrett powered to the line in 3 hours 44 minutes and 22 seconds, six seconds clear of Charlton and Doogan, with the next wave of contenders right on their heels.
The Donegal teenager Doogan had started the stage third overall and collected intermediate bonuses with quiet efficiency. When he rolled home third the arithmetic clicked: yellow, points, U23 and county-rider jerseys all transferred to the Cycling Ulster colours.
“It felt unbelievable, incredible that I was in yellow,” Doogan told Stickybottle. “It’s something you always dream about, but I never thought it would actually happen.”
As the Rás heads into its third stage, the GC is finely poised. Eight riders sit within 11 seconds of the lead, and with more hills and heavy weather on the horizon, nothing is settled.
Results
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