Chris Newton wins into Lisdoonvarna 2005

Aiming for a perfect balance between suspense and spectacle, a tough route for the 2008 FBD Insurance RÁS has been unveiled by the race organisers and should result in another epic clash.

Eight days, twenty King of the Mountain climbs and a total of 1224 difficult kilometres await the estimated 160 riders from at least eight countries who will line out in the world-ranked event. A tough finale is guaranteed, with the longest stage of 180 kilometres being followed by a gruelling climbing leg in the Wicklow mountains and then the concluding stage to Skerries, which always results in flat-out racing to the line.

This year will mark the 25^th anniversary of FBD Insurance sponsorship of the race, making it one of the longest running sports sponsorship in the country.

The 2.2-ranked event begins in Navan on Sunday May 18^th with a 142 kilometre stage to Ballinamore. Two category three climbs await at Kells and Slieve an gCallaigh and with these also doubling as hot spot sprints, valuable time bonuses will be up for grabs and could well determine who wears the first yellow jersey.

Day two covers 167.5 kilometres between Ballinamore and Claremorris and follows flat, fast roads. There is one category three ascent at Slieve Gamph, and the stage will see plenty of attacking and tactical racing as the rides slug it out for the honours.

Stage three should see the climbers come to the fore due to the inclusion of a gruelling first category climb less than eight kilometres from the finish. The race runs 131 kilometres between Claremorris and Lisdoonvarna and crosses both the third category ascent of Ballinalacken and then the crucial final ramp, the afore-mentioned Doonagore climb, which is a particularly steep ascent close to the Cliffs of Moher. The day is likely to have a very important effect on the race.

Day four takes the riders 155.6 kilometres from Corofin to Tralee. After a mainly flat first half, the peloton will face three category three ascents at Barnagh Gap, Glanshearoon and Barr na Gaoithe, then a fast run in to the finish.

Tralee to Skibbereen is the next stage, a 141 kilometre mountain leg which could have a big effect on the bunch. There are five big climbs to cover, including the category two ascents of Farranfore, Ladies View, Molls Gap and Turners Rock, plus the category three Derrycreha.

Brian Kenneally wins the final stage of the 2007 FBD Insurance Rás into Skerries

The following day from Skibbereen to Clonmel, the longest stage of the race, is a torturous 180 kilometres of undulating roads to Mitchelstown and then fast, flat roads to the finish on O’Connell Street in busy Clonmel. It is followed by another very long stage of 177 kilometres from Clonmel to Roundwood. As this stage features some very serious climbing in the final hour it is likely to be one of the most decisive days in the 2008 FBD Insurance RÁS.

The climbing begins with the third category ascent of Glenbower and is later followed by the category one pairings of Slieve Maan and Drumgoff. These come in quick succession and with a first-ever stage finish in Roundwood coming just 22 kilometres after the final climb, the bunch will be very fragmented that evening.

The final stage takes the riders 130 kilometres from Newbridge to Skerries and features four category three climbs. These are Pluckhimin, Cross of the Cage plus the Black Hills climb, which will be covered on each of the two finishing circuits. The peloton will battle it out right until the final kilometres, guaranteeing an exciting finale to this year’s FBD Insurance RÁS on Sunday 25^th May

FBD INSURANCE RÁS 2008 STAGE DETAILS

STAGE 1, SUNDAY 18^TH MAY  NAVAN - BALLINAMORE 142 KMS.

NAVAN, Kells, Kells Category 3 KOM, Ballinlough, Slieve an Callaigh Category 3 KOM & Hot Spot Sprint, Oldcastle, (Virginia), Ballyjamesduff, Granard Hot Spot Prime,  Ballinalee, Longford, Newtownforbes Hot Spot Prime, Rooskey, Dromod, Mohill, Fenagh, BALLINAMORE.

STAGE 2, MONDAY 19^TH MAY, BALLINAMORE - CLAREMORRIS 167 KMS.

BALLINAMORE, Drumcong, Carrick-on Shannon, Tobercurry, Slieve Gamph Category 3 KOM, Bunnyconnellan, Ballina, Pontoon, Castlebar, Balla, CLAREMORRIS.

STAGE 3, TUESDAY 20^TH MAY, CLAREMORRIS - LISDOONVARNA 133 KMS.

CLAREMORRIS, Milltown, Tuam, Claregalway, Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan,

Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Ballinalacken Category 3 KOM,  Roadford/Doolin, Doonagore Category 1 KOM,  LISDOONVARNA.

STAGE 4, WEDNESDAY 21^ST MAY, COROFIN – TRALEE 156 KMS.

COROFIN, Ennis, Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Limerick, Patrickswell, Adare, Newcastlewest, Barnagh Gap Category 3 KOM, Templeglantine, Abbeyfeale, Glanshearon Category 3 KOM, Barr na Gaoithe Category 3 KOM,  Reanagown Crossroads, TRALEE.

STAGE 5, THURSDAY 22^ND MAY, TRALEE - SKIBBEREEN 141 KMS.

TRALEE, Farranfore Category 3 KOM, Killarney, Ladies View Category 2 KOM, Molls Gap Category 2 KOM, Kenmare, Turners Rock Category 2 KOM, Glengarrif, Derrynacreha Category 3 KOM, Ballylickey, Bantry, (Ballydehob),  SKIBBEREEN.    

STAGE 6, FRIDAY 23^RD MAY, SKIBBEREEN – CLONMEL 180 KMS.

SKIBBEREEN, Drimoleague, Dunmanway, Carraighdroichid, Coachford, Donoughmore, Bweeng, Dromahane, Mallow, New Twopothouse, Doneraile, Kildorrey, Mitchelstown, Ballyporeen, Clogheen, Ardfinnan, CLONMEL.

STAGE 7, SATURDAY 24^TH MAY, CLONMEL – ROUNDWOOD 177 KMS.

CLONMEL, Glenbower Category 3 KOM, Grangemockler, Kilkenny, Paulstown, Loughlinbridge, Nurney, Tullow, Hackestown, Tinahely, Aughrim, Slieve Mann Category 1 KOM, Drumgoff Category 1 KOM Laragh, Annamoe, ROUNDWOOD.

STAGE 8, SUNDAY 25^TH MAY, NEWBRIDGE – SKERRIES 130 KMS.

NEWBRIDGE, Milltown, Allen, Kilmeague, Prosperous, Kilcock, Warrenstowm, Drumree, Dunshaughlin, Rathoath, Curragha, Pluckhimin Category 3 KOM, Garristown, Naul, Balrothery, Cross of the Cage Category 3 KOM,  Skerries, Black Hills Category 3 KOM, Skerries, Black Hills Category 3 KOM, SKERRIES.

Further details contact: Dermot Dignam 01-8481517 or Sally Ryan 01- 6496416

or log-on to:  www.fbdinsuranceras.com