Some of cycling’s most exciting young riders will clash with experienced stage race competitors in the 57th edition of the FBD Insurance Rás, running from May 17^th until May 24^th this year. A tough, tactically-demanding route has today been unveiled by the organisers for the UCI 2.2-ranked event. It will be a serious test to endurance with three of those stages being longer than 175 kilometres.

Starting in Kilcullen and travelling clockwise through fifteen counties, the gruelling 1289 kilometre route will see the riders slug it out over twenty categorised climbs. Stages will finish in Wexford, Cobh, Cahirciveen, Killorglin, Scariff, Castlebar and Clara, while Skerries is once again the setting for the big finale of the race. Massive crowds are once again expected there, cheering on the international field after another gripping, suspense-filled eight days of racing.

“Stamina will win the 2009 FBD Insurance RÁS” claims Race Organiser Dermot Dignam “while the route includes something for everyone – the sprinters are catered for, the mountains are there for the climbers. But when the final accolade is presented in Skerries it’ll be to the rider with the greatest stamina. The long gruelling stages are where the valuable seconds will be gained and that’s where strength and ability will count most”.

Race Director Dermot Dignam

Dignam expects a number of top-class amateur and professional teams to be in the line-up and pays tribute to the race sponsor, FBD Insurance, and the Irish Sports Council, which provides funding for the race. “We have a world-class international sports event in this country and it’s due to the backing of FBD since 1984, one of the longest running sports sponsorships in the country, and the valuable support of the Irish Sports Council”.

The 2009 race begins on Sunday May 17^th with a 125 kilometre stage from Kilcullen to Wexford. While it’s mainly flat, a King of the Mountains climb at Knocknacree, bonus sprints at Tullow and Bunclody plus the enthusiasm and aggression of a fresh peloton mean that a ferocious pace will be set.

Stage two is both hillier and longer, extending 178 kilometres from Wexford to Cobh. Passing through New Ross, Waterford and skirting Dungarvan, the riders will scale the category two climb of The Sweep plus the third category ascents of Glenmore and Youghal en route to the distinctive uphill finish in Cobh.

Day three is the longest of the race, clocking up a whopping 189 kilometres between Cobh and Cahirciveen. It’s also arguably the toughest; following the category three Coolavokig, the category one climbs of The Coom and Coomakista are certain to blow the field apart. The latter is just 22 kilometres from the finish and thus may play a very decisive role in determining the final winner of the race.

Killorglin is the finish location for stage four, the uphill sprint to the line coming after the wearying riders complete another marathon – and gruelling - day in the saddle. Over the course of 178 kilometres they will slug it out over five category three climbs, at An Draighneain, Anascaul, Ballintaggart, Garrai na dTor, and An Draighneain once again. That’s tough enough by itself, but there’s also a very difficult category one climb to consider. The Conor Pass tops out just over 60 kilometres from the finish and will have a major effect, exposing any weaknesses and allowing the strongest riders to press their advantage.

Fortunately there will be a slight respite on the fifth stage, the profile being shorter and flatter and allowing the non-climbers to come back into the frame somewhat. The category three climbs at Glansharoon and Barnagh Gap come earlier than halfway through the 155 kilometres to Scariff and it’s quite possible that the peloton will be together as it hurtles through Ballina and Killaloe in the final half hour of racing, gearing up for a massive, uphill sprint finish.

The following day’s 159 kilometres to Castlebar also favours those specialists as the only climbs – the category three Lecarrow and Killanena – come shortly after the start in Scariff. However it’s certain that breakaway riders will try to foil the sprinters and slip away early on, setting the scene for a gripping pursuit match in the final hour.

More breaks are guaranteed on the penultimate day, a flat, fast 150 kilometre route to Clara. With only two stages remaining at that point, the battle for the final yellow jersey will be intense. That clash of contenders will then reach its crescendo on the concluding leg from Clara to Skerries, a 155 kilometre race featuring four category three climbs (Pluckhimin, Cross of the Cage and two ascents of the Black Hills).

The distance includes two laps of a tough finishing circuit in Skerries and, as was the case in the past three editions of the race, huge crowds are expected there. In 2008 Stephen Gallagher of the An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly team was the recipient of the loudest cheers, taking an important overall victory for Irish cycling.

2009 FBD Insurance RÁS:

Stage 1, May 17^th, Kilcullen – Wexford, 125 kilometres

Stage 2, May 18^th, Wexford – Cobh, 178 kilometres

Stage 3, May 19^th, Cobh – Cahirciveen, 189 kilometres

Stage 4, May 20^th, Cahirciveen – Killorglin, 178 kilometres

Stage 5, May 21^st, Killorglin – Scariff, 155 kilometres

Stage 6, May 22^nd, Scariff – Castlebar, 159 kilometres

Stage 7, May 23^rd, Castlebar – Clara, 150 kilometres

Stage 8, May 24^th, Clara – Skerries, 155 kilometres

For further details: Dermot Dignam 087 - 2459562 or Sally Ryan 01- 6496416

or log-on to:  www.fbdinsuranceras.com