The final stage of the 2025 Rás Tailteann delivered a crescendo worthy of the week’s breathless racing, as Josh Charlton (Great Britain CT) thundered to victory in Bective and George Kimber (Cycling Club Isle of Man) wrapped up the overall title, defending the yellow jersey with the same poise and punch that defined his National Road Series-winning season in 2024.
The final stage of the 2025 Rás Tailteann delivered a crescendo worthy of the week’s breathless racing, as Josh Charlton (Great Britain CT) thundered to victory in Bective and George Kimber (Cycling Club Isle of Man) wrapped up the overall title, defending the yellow jersey with the same poise and punch that defined his National Road Series-winning season in 2024.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
The 142.8-kilometre finale from Kildare Town to Bective began as it had all week – full gas from the gun. Four riders slipped clear early – Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas), Dean Harvey (Team Ireland), Daire Feeley (Burren CC), and Patrick O’Loughlin (Pinergy–Orwell Wheelers) – quickly opening a minute’s gap on slick, rain-glossed roads.
George Kimber. Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
As the race wound through Longwood and Trim, the break evolved. Feeley, still within striking distance on GC, pushed on with Harvey, and by the time they reached the Bective finishing circuit the move had swelled to 14 riders. Among them: Mark Downey, Tom Martin, Ronan O’Connor, Adam Gilsenan — and Charlton.
With Feeley threatening to take yellow on the road, Kimber’s Cycling Club Isle of Man team, supported by Ride Revolution, quietly tightened the leash. At the final KOM on Quarry Hill, Gilsenan took max points, but the real race was back down the road, where the bunch began to close.
Then came the decisive move. Charlton attacked – not as a sprinter sitting in, but with intent to ride away. And ride away he did. His gap grew with every pedal stroke, and by the time he raised his arms in Bective, the damage was clear: 58 seconds to John Buller (Banbridge CC Specsavers).
Behind, Odhrán Doogan (Cycling Ulster) – already a stage winner and wearer of green and county jerseys – tried a late move of his own, but couldn’t shake Kimber, who rode with mature assurance to secure the general classification by five seconds over Jamie Meehan (Team Ireland).
Josh Charlton wins. Image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Charlton’s win capped a remarkable week for British riders in Ireland: five stages, five victories, and now a Rás champion in Kimber, whose triumph underlined his ascent as one of the peloton’s most reliable winners. Adam Lewis too the Irish Independent Mountains Competition, while DAS Richardsons were the best team.
The final stage of the 2025 Rás Tailteann delivered a crescendo worthy of the week’s breathless racing, as Josh Charlton (Great Britain CT) thundered to victory in Bective and George Kimber (Cycling Club Isle of Man) wrapped up the overall title, defending the yellow jersey with the same poise and punch that defined his National Road Series-winning season in 2024.
Featured image: Lorraine O’Sullivan
Report
The 142.8-kilometre finale from Kildare Town to Bective began as it had all week – full gas from the gun. Four riders slipped clear early – Cameron McLaren (TAAP Kalas), Dean Harvey (Team Ireland), Daire Feeley (Burren CC), and Patrick O’Loughlin (Pinergy–Orwell Wheelers) – quickly opening a minute’s gap on slick, rain-glossed roads.
As the race wound through Longwood and Trim, the break evolved. Feeley, still within striking distance on GC, pushed on with Harvey, and by the time they reached the Bective finishing circuit the move had swelled to 14 riders. Among them: Mark Downey, Tom Martin, Ronan O’Connor, Adam Gilsenan — and Charlton.
With Feeley threatening to take yellow on the road, Kimber’s Cycling Club Isle of Man team, supported by Ride Revolution, quietly tightened the leash. At the final KOM on Quarry Hill, Gilsenan took max points, but the real race was back down the road, where the bunch began to close.
Then came the decisive move. Charlton attacked – not as a sprinter sitting in, but with intent to ride away. And ride away he did. His gap grew with every pedal stroke, and by the time he raised his arms in Bective, the damage was clear: 58 seconds to John Buller (Banbridge CC Specsavers).
Behind, Odhrán Doogan (Cycling Ulster) – already a stage winner and wearer of green and county jerseys – tried a late move of his own, but couldn’t shake Kimber, who rode with mature assurance to secure the general classification by five seconds over Jamie Meehan (Team Ireland).
Charlton’s win capped a remarkable week for British riders in Ireland: five stages, five victories, and now a Rás champion in Kimber, whose triumph underlined his ascent as one of the peloton’s most reliable winners. Adam Lewis too the Irish Independent Mountains Competition, while DAS Richardsons were the best team.
Results
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