The sprinters have a slightly better chance on the following day’s 172 kilometres between Blarney and Tramore, even though there are six categorised climbs. The official start of racing begins at the Donal Crowley memorial, and the peloton will hurtle through Ballyhooly en route to the first of those category three ramps. Killathy (km 49.6) is followed by a Post Office Prime at Tallow (km 77.7), and then five more Cat. 3 ascents: Kilmore (km 80), Grange (km 104.8), Tankardstown (km 148.3), Benvoy (km 151.1) and Ballygarran (km 156.4). While the road is constantly up and down, the lack of a particularly tough climb could ensure a group fights it out for the win.

“There are a cluster of climbs heading to Tramore and then three or four hundred meters of an uphill finish to the top of Main Street,” says Dignam. “It is a tough uphill finish, especially coming after six KOMs. It is going to be a great stage.”