22-05-2025
Odhran Doogan seizes overall lead at Rás Tailteann
Irish riders ended stage two of the Rás Tailteann in a prominent position in the overall standings, with Odhran Doogan seizing the race lead and four other home competitors sitting in the top eight.
The general classification was completely reshuffled on the 170.9km stage from Charlestown to Clifden, with 20 riders gaining over three minutes on the rest of the field, due in part to tough climbs and strong winds.
British rider Will Perrett (UK Das Richardsons) was the first to the finish, attacking inside the final four kilometers and hitting the line six seconds ahead of compatriot Josh Charlton (Great Britain).
Doogan was third and leaped into the yellow jersey as a result. He had started the day third overall thanks to the six seconds in time bonuses he collected on Wednesday's opening stage, and then found himself with an opportunity he didn't expect.
The two riders ahead of him in the overall standings - day one winner Tim Shoreman (UK Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli) and Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling) - were both left behind when the crucial break formed and lost considerable time.
"I didn't expect it at all," Doogan told RTÉ Sport. "Yesterday was probably the best chance for a stage win, and today I was just going to try my hardest.
"I think I went a bit too hard at the start. I got a bit carried away and rode a bit too hard, so in the middle I kind of pulled myself back a bit, recovered a bit, and then realized a group had actually nipped off up the road.
"So then I started riding again, and found myself back at the front of the race. And just so happened that I got into yellow.
"It's an unbelievable, incredible," feeling. "I didn't actually believe it when I heard it called out saying I was in yellow."
Perrett, too, was elated at the finish. He's been coming to the race for years and long dreamed of a stage victory.
"It is an amazing, amazing feeling," he said.
"With 4k to go, I went really hard up this drag that I didn't really know about. I looked behind, and managed to get a gap. And then that was it. I was all in. Once you've done that, there's no point waiting for the sprint because you've already spent your final bullet.
"This is my fourth Rás now. I've come second [on stages] twice. I've come fourth about three times, I think, and I was fifth overall last year. So I've always been close, but not quite got it over the line.
"So to actually get a stage win is an incredible feeling."
Doogan will begin Friday's third stage three seconds ahead of the Irish-based Italian Matteo Cigala (Carlow Dan Morrissey Pissei) and six ahead of the Costa Rican Sebastian Brenes (Mexico Canel's Java).
The other Irish to the fore are last year's runner up Conn McDunphy (USA: Team Skyline), who moved to fifth overall. The 2022 winner Daire Feeley (Clare: Burren CC), Matthew Teggart (Down: Banbridge CC Specsavers) and Cian Keogh (USA: Team Skyline) are sixth through eighth.
Racing continues Friday with a tough 163.8km stage from Cong to Miltown Malbay. It takes in three climbs inside the final 45km, including the second category hills of Corkscrew Hill and the Cliffs of Moher.
