Final stage of An Post Rás to begin in Kildare Town this May

The final stage of this year's An Post Rás will pass through three different towns in Kildare as the cyclists race towards the finishing line in what is Ireland's premier cycling event.

This year’s edition of the race will travel anti-clockwise around Ireland with stage finishes in Multyfarnham, Charleville, Dingle, Sneem, Clonakilty, Dungarvan and Baltinglass before the customary finale in Skerries.

The final day of the famous eight stage race will be familiar to those who have competed in recent editions of the An Post Rás, travelling on many of the same roads which lead to the crowd-thronged customary finale in Skerries.

The stage begins outside the Post office in Kildare town and passes through Prosperous, Kilcock, Dunsany, Dunshaughlin, Ratoath and Curraha prior to the first of five category three climbs, that of Pluckhimin. Coming after the village of Naul, the next climb, Cross of the Cage, brings the riders onto the 13.8 kilometre finishing circuit and begins the final countdown to the crowning of the 2016 An Post Rás champion.

Announcing the route for the May 22nd to 29th race in Dublin’s GPO, An Post Rás Race Director, Tony Campbell believes it will be one of the most exciting editions to date.

“A lot of riders thought it was going to be an easy An Post Rás last year due to the flatter roads, but they got a big surprise with how things worked out. 

“This year has some big climbs but is also similar in profile to the 2015 edition, and should lead to some really exciting racing. There are an awful lot of rolling roads, and these will wear people down over the course of the week. It will be unpredictable which will make it a thrilling spectacle.”

Former World Track Champion, Martyn Irvine, was on hand to launch this year’s route alongside top Irish riders Eddie Dunbar and Bryan McCrystal. Irvine, who recently announced his retirement from the sport, believes the county riders will be licking their lips when they see the route. 

“The Rás is unlike any other race in the world. On one side you have the international riders coming from abroad and on the other you have amateur riders here who train on this terrain all year round chomping at the bit for a win. We saw it with the likes of Ian Richardson and Bryan McCrystal last year; they were putting it to the best riders from around the globe on every stage and it was great to see. I’m sure this year, after seeing the route, there will be Irish guys in the mix.”

After leaving Dublin Castle on Sunday May 22nd, the 64th edition of the An Post Rás will officially begin with the drop of the flag in Clonee. The opening stage to Multyfarnham is 144.6 kilometres in length and features An Post Hotspot Sprints in Bohermeen, Kells and on the first passage of the finish line in Multyfarnham.

Details of the international teams set to join this year’s An Post Rás will be released ver the coming months. The An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly team has already committed to participating.

2016 An Post Rás Route (UCI 2.2, May 22nd – May 29th):

Stage 1, Sunday May 22:               Dublin Castle to Multyfarnham (144.6 kilometres)

Stage 2, Monday May 23:             Mullingar to Charleville (183.7 kilometres)

Stage 3, Tuesday May 24:             Charleville to Dingle (133.2 kilometres)

Stage 4, Wednesday May 25:       Dingle to Sneem (162.8 kilometres)

Stage 5, Thursday May 26:           Sneem to Clonakilty (148.3 kilometres) 

Stage 6, Friday May 27:                Clonakilty to Dungarvan (159.1 kilometres)

Stage 7, Saturday May 28:           Dungarvan to Baltinglass (155 kilometres)

Stage 8, Sunday May 29:              Kildare to Skerries (148.4 kilometres)