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Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda's warmest of welcomes to iconic Rás Tailteann cycle race
The event's base on the morning of the race was St Nicholas GAA Club on Rathmullen Road and members of the public met some of the riders and teams and soaked up the pre-race buzz. The peloton then left the GAA grounds and travelled to the official ceremonial start on West Street, and from there, the riders headed out the Donore Road, turned right at Frank's Country Cottage and then left along the canal and over the Obelisk Bridge, before racing proper got under way on the main Slane road. It was an explosive start to this historic 70th edition of the event, with attacking racing from the flag. An early eight-man breakaway animated much of the day and featured Peter Cocker (DAS Richardsons), Aaron King (Wheelbase / Cabtech / Castelli), Odhran Doogan (Team Ulster), Owen Wright (Canel's Java), Robin Fischer (Team Storck-Metropol Cycling), Danylo Riwnyi (Foran CT) and the Team Skyline due of Conn McDunphy and Ronan O'Connor. However, with 20km to go the breakaway's advantage began to crumble as teams such as Great Britain CT, Connacht, and Wheelbase / Cabtech / Castelli ramped up the pace and in the closing metres it was Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli) who showed his power and positioning to perfection, storming to victory ahead of Irish sensation Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling) and Will Tidball (Great Britain CT) in a dramatic bunch sprint. As part of the 70th edition celebrations, Stage 1 was proudly dedicated to the thousands of volunteers - from marshals to mechanics and community hosts to convoy drivers - who have supported the Rás Tailteann over the decades and without whom the Rás simply wouldn't exist. This year's race was also particularly special for Drogheda, with four of the six members of the Rás promotions group hailing from the town, making it a true homecoming for one of Ireland's most iconic races. Drogheda's sole competitor, Kevin Leech, a proud member of Drogheda Wheelers but representing the Connacht Cycling team in the race, managed to finish the race in a respectable 127th place. Leech also finished the Rás in 2022 but had to withdraw in 2023 after he was injured in a crash. In all, 145 riders from 29 teams took part in the race over five days, and there was a thrilling climax on Sunday as the final stage took the competitors 142.8km from Kildare Town to the finish in Bective, Co Meath. George Kimber of Cycling Club Isle of Man emerged victorious in the general classification, claiming the Bective Stud Yellow Jersey and the title of Rás Tailteann champion by a margin of just five seconds, with Ireland's Jamie Meehan and Odhrán Doogan in second and third places overall.
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Shoreman leads after Day 1 of 70th Rás Tailteann
British rider Tim Shoreman took the opening stage of the 70th Rás Tailteann on Wednesday in a sprint finish. The Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli rider stormed clear ahead of Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling), with another British cyclist, Will Tidball, taking third. Odhran Doogan of Cycling Ulster finished seventh in the group sprint, but ends up third overall after winning two bonus sprints. The 145 riders covered 155.5km on the opening day, from Drogheda to Boyle. A delighted McLoughlin told RTE Sport: "The streets were really, really tight, really technical. A lot of left and right-handers, so you had to be right at the front right to the finish. "It was a really cool finish, it suited me, especially just the twisting and turning." In the first King of the Mountains battle at Oldcastle Legends, Adam Lewis (Team Skyline) was first followed by Callum Salisbury (Isle of Man), Gareth O'Neill (Dan Morrissey – Pissei), and Tom Martin (Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli). Thursday's stage two is the longest stage, covering 170.9km from Charlestown to Clifden, with five categorised climbs, including the category one Windy Gap.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Tim Shoreman takes victory on first day of Rás Tailteann
Irish riders got off to an encouraging start on day one of the Rás Tailteann on Wednesday, but it was the Briton Tim Shoreman who triumphed into Boyle and took the first leader's yellow jersey. The UK Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli rider displayed the same sprinting power that earned him the final stage last year plus the points jersey, blasting home first on the uphill gallop to the line. He beat Irishman Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling) and Will Tidball (Great Britain CT), with the first 12 opening a gap of several seconds over the rest of the bunch. Another Irish rider Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster) was seventh and, thanks to two bonus sprints he won while involved in the day's most significant breakaway, he ended the day third overall. He and second-placed McLoughlin are both five seconds behind Shoreman, who has that buffer thanks to the time bonus for the stage win. "The finish was really technical. We kind of knew what we needed to do," Shoreman told RTÉ Sport. "We had looked at in advance. I just fully trusted my teammates and they put me in the right place. Then I finished it off. "We do a lot of criteriums in the UK, so this kind of finish is perfect for me." The 155.5km stage started in Drogheda and featured numerous breakaways, with the key move going at the halfway point in Ballinagh. Doogan was present along with fellow Irishmen Conn McDunphy and Ronan O'Connor (both USA Team Skyline), as well as Britons Peter Cocker (DAS Richardsons), Danylo Riwnyi (Foran CT) and Aaron King (Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli). Also present were the American Owen Wright (Canel's Java), plus the German Robin Fischer (Team Storck-Metropol Cycling). Doogan picked up three seconds in time bonuses at both Crossdoney and Mohill, while McDunphy also boosted his campaign with second and third respectively. However the latter was hit by bad luck after the break was caught inside 25km. McDunphy came down in a crash inside the final two kilometres and while he was given the same time as the main bunch, as per international rules, a split in that group on the uphill rise to the line saw him lose a handful of seconds. McLoughlin is the best placed Irishman in second overall, and was psyched by his runner-up slot. "The streets were really, really tight, really technical," he said. "A lot of left and right handers, so you had to be right at the front right to the finish. "It was a really cool finish, it suited me, especially just the twisting and turning." He is hoping to shine in any of the upcoming stages which finish in a sprint. Doogan expressed the same sentiment, saying he was encouraged to still be feeling strong at the end despite being clear for such a long time in the day's breakaway. "I still had good legs for the finish, but just positioning wise I got caught out in the last corner. That cost me a bit. I'm definitely happy with the form. I can't complain." While he and McLaughlin are focussing their attention on chasing a stage win, Belfast rider Dean Harvey is pinpointing a strong general classification campaign. He was ninth on the stage and is ninth overall, 11 seconds behind Shoreman. "This year I want to go for GC," the double king of the mountains winner said. "There is point in hiding it, that's why I am here." He identified Thursday's stage two as likely one of the most important days for the general classification. It is the longest stage, covering 170.9km from Charlestown to Clifden. The riders will face five categorised climbs, including the category one Windy Gap in the first half of the stage.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Mayo prepares to host renowned Rás Tailteann
The second stage of the 70th Rás Tailteann will commence in the east Mayo town of Charlestown, where the peloton will depart at 11.15 am on Thursday, May 22, embarking on the race's longest and most challenging stage to Clifden. Taking in Bohola, Castlebar, Ballyheane, Partry, Tourmakeady and Maum along the way, this 170.9-kilometre route features five categorized climbs, including the formidable Windy Gap and Maumtrasna ascents. Stage Three will see the race transfer to the picturesque border village of Cong. This stage will commence outside the famous Pat Cohan's bar, which featured prominently in 'The Quiet Man', the popular John Wayne film that has been synonymous with Cong for decades. At 11am on Friday, May 23, the riders will travel 163.8 kilometres south to Miltown Malby in County Clare, taking in Headford, Corofin, Kinvara, Bell Harbour, Ballyvaughan, Lisdoonvarna, Liscannor and Lahinch along the way. Brendan Quigley, Stage Start Organiser for Charlestown and Cong, said Charlestown is 'honoured' to host the start of Stage Two. 'The community is buzzing with excitement, and we're ready to showcase our town's hospitality and passion for cycling,' he said. Race Director Ger Campbell said: 'In this milestone year, it's fitting to start stages in towns rich in culture and history. Charlestown and Cong exemplify the spirit of the Rás, and we're delighted to bring the race to these vibrant communities.' The Rás Tailteann has travelled through Mayo on a number of occasions, most recently in 2023. The county is represented by west Mayo-based Team Portwest, featuring father and son Noel and Keith Mulroy, Ben Walsh, James Hanrahan and Cameron Orr. Two Mayo men, Niall McLoughlin and Charlie Kelly, feature on the Connacht Cycling team. The 2025 Rás Tailteann, running from May 21-25, spans over 760 kilometers across five stages, featuring 13 categorized climbs.
