The KERRY GROUP RAS MUMHAN 4 Day International Cycle Race gets under way on the roads of Kerry and limerick on Good Friday next April 14th and will finish on Easter Monday morning April 17th..
The total race distance for the 4 days is almost 500km and includes 26 categorised climbs, 3 more than last year, however there is only one category one ascent, Coom an Easpaig on Sunday.
185 Elite riders representing teams from Ireland, England, and the Isle of Man will face the starter. A prize fund of over €7,000, this year sees one of the biggest fields ever to compete in the long history of this great Race.
Stage 1. Good Friday, April 14th 2.50pm Killorglin-Sliabh Luachra-Killorglin.
This is the seventh consecutive year to go to the Sliabh Luachra region of East Kerry. The Ras will start in Killorglin taking the riders to Killarney, on to Kilcummin, Scartaglin, Castleisland, Currans, Ballyfinnane , Firies, Milltown and finishing in Killorglin around 5 pm – a total of 100km with three climbs.
Stage 2. Saturday April 15th. 11.00am North Kerry & West Limerick..
This will be a big day for cycling in North Kerry & West Limerick.. The race will leave Listowel at 11.00am.
The 125km route will take the riders to Ballylongford, Tarbert, Glin, Athea, Carrigkerry, Ardagh, Shanagolden, Foynes, Loughill, back to Glin again, on to Athea & Carrigkerry again , before going on to a smaller loop that will take the race to Blaine Bridge and the Finish in Athea. Thesr are 9 climbs on this stage with the hill up thro’ Glin twice and the hill out of Athea on 3 occasions including the finish shortly before 2pm. This stage will afford spectators many occasions to see the race at its best.
Stage 3. Easter Sunday April 16th 11.30am. Waterville and Coom an Easpaigh Stage.
Valentia Island is back on the menu after a 2 year lapse on this stage which has an 11.30 start in the South Kerry town of Waterville and the leading riders are expected at the finish back in Waterville at 3 pm.. The 155km route includes the only Category 1 of the race, the Coom an Easpaigh climb introduced two years ago for the first time in many years. The stage takes in Ballinskelligs , St Finians Bay,The Glen, Valentia Island, Cahirsiveen, Dromid , Portmagee on to the Category 1 Climb at Coom an Easpaigh , St Finians Bay again, before going back to Ballinskelligs and on to the finish in Waterville. There are 4 other Climbs along the way including two Category 2 ascents in what is regarded as one of the classic road stages of any race in these islands.
Stage 4. Easter Monday April 17th 10.00am. Beaufort and Killorglin Stage.
The final Stage will start at 10.00am , a fter 3 laps of the Killorglin–Beaufort-Killorglin circuit, the riders will go on to the Donal McKenna circuit for 9 laps which will take them up the famous hill in the town centre each time, a total distance of 114km. There is a Category 4 climb at the line each time, except the last lap, which will keep the King of the Mountain title up for grabs right to the finish line. This is where the race was won and lost last year which adds to the excitement on the last day. Expected finish time of 12.30.pm
Formidable Line Up. The lineup of riders includes Mark Dowling , who won this race in 2014 , he leads his the Strata 3 Velo Revolution team , and he is many peoples favourite to take the title again. Sean Lacey leads the Aqua Blue Team and he is another former winner taking the title in 2011. Another Kerryman Cathal Moynihan is on the Tralee Manor West Ibike team this year, Cathal was 1st and 2nd on stages a few years ago Other top Irish outfits include the Ireland Under 23 Development team and UCD Fitzcycles. There are 2 other previous winners in the line up, Eugene Moriarty is on the Killorglin team with multiple stage winner Paidi O Brien, and John Dempsey rides with Carrick.
The foreign challenge is good again this year.There are 3 teams from the England. Surrey League are regular visitors to the race, and they are joined this year by Rhino Velo Race Team and VCUK Velochampion team, while the Isle of Man are back after a number of years.
The emphasis by the Race Organization on the Under 23 element of the event has attracted 33 riders in this category . There are 110 Category 1, 60 Category 2, and 15 Category 3 Riders in the field.
Gene Moriarty Cup. There will be a new cup for the winner of the second stage on Saturday. The cup is being given to the race by the Moriarty Family & Listowel Cycling Club.. The cup was competed for in Listowel from 1983 until 2007, Some famous names are previous winners, Phillip Cassidy, Julian Dalby, Stephen Spratt, Donie Conroy, Brian Kennelly, Aidan Crowley, Mehal Fitzgerald, Stephen O Sullivan and of course Eugene Moriarty whose Grandfather the Cup is called after. It was last competed for in 2007, when Colm Bracken won.
This International Race will be on the roads of Kerry & Limerick for 4 days. The public are encouraged to come out and see this great spectacle as it passes by. However safety is paramount so you are asked to cooperate with the Gardai and Stewards at the event. Please keep dogs under control and expect traffic delays while the race is in your area.
KERRY GROUP are the main sponsors of the event.
Other Sponsors are:
Stage 1 Sliabh Luachra O Sullivan Cycles Killarney.
Stage 2 . North Kerry & West Limerick Gene Moriarty & Sons Electrical Contractors & Listowel Cycling Club.
Stage 3 Waterville & Coom an Easpaigh IRD Waterville ( Childrens Festival & Charlie Chaplin Comedy Festival).
Stage 4 Beaufort & Killorglin FEXCO.
Jerseys DMC Sport. King of the Hills Owen McCarthy Claims Specialists Killorglin, Points Classification Chaseresoursing Ltd. Killorglin, Under 23Classification Cycling Munster, Senior 2 & 3 Classification Mosca McGillicuddy & Associates,. Most Combatitive rider Award IBIKE
Pauline Sugrue Auctioneers Waterville, . Merrion Group Dublin. , Killorglin Sports & Leisure Centre, Killorglin Cycling Club, Annadale Technologies, Kevin Moynihan Scaffolding Services. Quinlans Fish Shop
Adams Garage Glin, Raymond Enright Kitchens Athea, Paul Collins Bar Athea,
TJ Reidy Cleaning Services Athea, Colm Hassett Gym & Fitness Centre Athea,
Etape Ras Mumhan : Saturday April 15th. Venue Waterville. This is a change from the last few years and it now takes place on the roads of the South Kerry stage on the day before the race visits the area.This non-competitive event is for the Leisure and Sportive riders, giving participants the opportunity to ride a classic stage of a major race. The Etape Ras Mumhan starts at 11am in Waterville and will cover the full route of Stage 3 of the race, which takes place the following day. Full details at www.etaperasmumhan.com