Preparations are continuing in Boyle for the finish of the first stage on the 2025 Ras Tailteann International cycle race on Wednesday afternoon May 21st.
Over 170 riders will make their way from Drogheda to the Crescent in Boyle on what will be a relatively flat 155k stage which could result in a bunch sprint.
Parking restrictions will be in place in Boyle from 10am on the day with the riders entering the town from the Sligo Road and travelling via Military Road and Bridge Street to the finish on the Crescent.
The stage end coordination committee have been meeting regularly to ensure the riders receive a safe and warm welcome in Boyle.
Stage End Co-Ordinator is Noel Feeley, CEO of Roscommon Sports Partnership whose son Daragh won the Ras in 2022 and is once again competing this year. Noel is ably assisted by Curlieu Wheelers club member Carmel Regan who is the local organiser along with members of Curlieu Wheelers cycling club, An Garda Siochana and Roscommon County Council.
The last time the RAS had a stage finish in Boyle was 1994 and prior to that in 1977.
With approximately 45 team cars and 160 /170 riders, An Ras is a spectacular event not to be missed. The Co ordination Committee is encouraging as many people as possible to visit the town on May 21st to witness what will be a thrilling finish to the first day’s racing and give all the riders and Ras Tailteann team members a big Boyle welcome.
The town will be a hive of activity from early morning on Wednesday May 21st as the stage end crew arrive to make their final preparations. The finish will also be aired on the evening RTE news.
The event will start in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, Co Louth heading westwards to finish in Boyle. Riders will transfer to Charlestown for the start of stage two where they will take on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the 2025 Rás Tailteann stages.
Another transfer to Co Mayo for the start of stage three, where Cong will welcome the Rás Tailteann. After setting off from Cong, the riders will take in breathtaking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way before they face the fast finish towards Miltown Malbay in County Clare.
The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on 2 x category three climb’s before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15KM remaining – will there be enough time to regroup before the finish in Mountrath, Co Laois?
The final stage of Rás Tailteann 2025 will kick off in Kildare Town heading across the plains of ‘The Lilywhite County’ before entering Co Meath where again, the winner of Rás Tailteann will be crowned in Bective. The 2025 edition of the race is again five stages and will take on over 760KM along the roads of The Emerald Isle, including 13 categorized climbs.
Further details including finish times etc will be available here on Boyletoday.com closer to the day.
(Boyletoday.com photograph shows the last time Boyle hosted a Ras Tailteann stage finish back in 1994)
