Each year the announcement of the FBD Milk Ras route is accompanied by the claim that the edition is the toughest yet. However, on the evidence of the details of the 2001 race which are released today, it seems this year the superlative is warranted.
The 1,119 kilometres of racing, five stages of over 150 kilometres and 31 classified climbs illustrate the challenge facing the anticipated field of 200 cyclists who will start in Navan on May 20th. The race's inclusion in the international calendar and the corresponding increase in interest from foreign squads bodes for a most difficult event.
The action gets under way with a 155 km stage from Navan to Ballaghaderreen, with three hot-spot sprints and two climbs. Day two takes the riders through Tuam and Athenry on a 131 km race to Portumna, before Tuesday's longest stage of 184 kms.
Killorglin is the location for the next day's finish, after the second shortest stage of the race (119 km) brings the riders over the category one Connor Pass and the category three Lispole. Next comes over 150 tough kilometres, with 10 climbs on the road to Skibberreen.
Stage six to Dungarvan maintains the climbing theme, but seven category three slopes in 164 kms pale in comparison with Saturday's sadistic race to Bunclody. Here, seven climbs - three category ones - look set to shatter the field. The race ends with the traditional criterium on the streets of Dublin.
