Cycling/FBD Rás: Shortly after midday this Sunday a field of over 140 riders will line out at the GPO in Dublin, with eight days and over 1,000 kilometres of speed, grind and suffering in store.
It has all the makings of a classic FBD Milk Rás. A host of strong foreign teams, a number of in-form Irish contenders, 29 categorised climbs and the first mountain-top finish in 21 years will ensure a ferocious battle, from the moment the flag drops until the last pedal is turned on Sunday week.
A total of 15 foreign squads will take part in this year's contest, lured by the world-ranking points on offer and the race's reputation as a well organised, highly competitive event.
Amongst the chief dangers are the Scandinavia Team Bianchi Nordic squad, managed by former top professional Tommy Prim. Tobias Lergård finished second overall last year while Jonas Holmkvist took two stages. Both are keen to go further this time round.
Other professional outfits making the journey are Slovenia Team Perutnina Ptuj and the Germany Team Comnet Senges squads, while the national selection from Kazakhstan will also be in the thick of the action. So too the Yorkshire Murphy and Gunn team, which includes former European pro Malcolm Elliott and the 2000 Rás winner Julian Winn, plus the Wales Stena Line and the Great Britain squads.
The home attack will be led by the strong Thorntons Recycling Team Ireland squad. David O'Loughlin and David McCann have been in excellent form of late, while Tommy Evans, Denis Lynch and Eugene Moriarty should also be very prominent. Kerry's Paul Griffin is another expected to shine, and will relish the many climbs of the race.
Others to draw attention will be the father and son combination of Philip and Mark Cassidy, the first in the event's history.
The race begins with three days of flat, high-speed racing to Trim, Oranmore and Charleville. The marathon 181 kilometre leg to Cahirciveen on day four should see the first significant gaps opening, while days five and six - to Millstreet and the top of Seskin Hill in Carrick-on-Suir, respectively - will see tough climbs.
Stage seven to Tullow next Saturday covers nine mountains, including the category one ascents of The Heights, Corrabutt Gap and Mount Leinster. The race will conclude with a high-speed circuit race in Phoenix Park on Sunday week.
FBD MILK RÁS ROUTE - Sunday: Dublin - Trim (132kms); Monday: Trim - Oranmore (167kms); Tuesday: Oranmore - Charleville, (152kms); Wednesday: Charleville - Cahirciveen (181kms); Thursday: Cahirciveen - Millstreet (152kms); Friday: Millstreet - Seskin Hill Carrick-on Suir (151kms); Saturday: Carrick-on-Suir - Tullow (149kms); Sunday: Phoenix Park Circuit (40kms).
