CYCLING 2009 RÁS ROUTE:PLACING A major emphasis on endurance, the route of the 2009 FBD Insurance Rás has been announced by the race organisers. The world-ranked event will this year begin in Kilcullen on May 17th and conclude eight stages later in Skerries, covering 1,289 kilometres and 20 categorised climbs in between.
The 57th edition of the race will pass through 15 counties, and three of the stages will be longer than 175 kilometres. This will place a big demand on the riders and, says race organiser Dermot Dignam, will determine the outcome. “Stamina will win the 2009 FBD Insurance Rás” he stated this week.
“The route includes something for everyone – the sprinters are catered for, the mountains are there for the climbers. But when the final accolade is presented in Skerries, it’ll be to the rider with the greatest stamina.”
Day one takes the riders 125 kilometres to Wexford, and features a category three king of the mountains at Knocknacree plus bonus sprints at Tullow and Bunclody. The following stage is both hillier and longer, extending 178 kilometres from Wexford to Cobh, via New Ross and Waterford. Three climbs are featured before the uphill sprint to the line, including the category two ascent of The Sweep.
Day three is the longest of the race, clocking up a whopping 189 kilometres en route to Cahirciveen and including the first category climbs of The Coom and Coomakista. The subsequent stage to Killorglin is only marginally shorter, 178 kilometres, and includes five category three climbs plus the first category Conor Pass.
The race then leaves the mountains and flattens somewhat, with only two category three climbs featuring on each of the next two days. Those legs are also shorter, with the races to Scariff and Castlebar being 155 and 159 kilometres respectively.
The penultimate day is a fast, flat run to Clara, and then things conclude on Sunday, May 24th with a 155-kilometre race between there and Skerries.
Four category three climbs will act as a springboard for possible attacks on the yellow jersey. As has been the case in recent years, the stage will include two laps of a testing finishing.
2009 RÁS:Stage One: May 17th, Kilcullen-Wexford, 125km; Stage Two: May 18th, Wexford-Cobh, 178km; Stage Three: May 19th, Cobh-Cahirciveen, 189km; Stage Four: May 20th, Cahirciveen-Killorglin, 178 km; Stage Five: May 21st, Killorglin-Scariff, 155km; Stage Six: May 22nd, Scariff-Castlebar, 159 km; Stage Seven: May 23rd, Castlebar-Clara, 150km; Stage Eight: May 24th, Clara-Skerries, 155km.
WEEKEND FIXTURES:Saturday: Women's training camp, starts Craigavon Watersports Centre at 10 am. Sunday: Training race, Connacht, starts 10.30am, Bohola Community Centre; Downhill Winter League, Ballinascorney Forest, first run at 11 am; Bangor Winter League, Castle Park, starts 11.30am; CI strategy meeting, Red Cow Moran Hotel, starts 10.30, open forum with members at 1.30 pm.
