Healy Pass and Coom An Easpaig Climbs in 2015 Route.
The 2015 stage details for the Kerry Group Ras Mumhan International Cycle Race were announced today. The 500km Cycle Race will start on Good Friday, 3rd April and finish 4 days later on Easter Monday morning, 6th April. This year will see the Climb of Coom An Easpaig introduced to Stage 3 on Easter Sunday. This will be the only change from last year’s route. The climb will be taken from the Portmagee side and down into the Glen. This will replace the climb at Chapletown as the circuit of Valentia Island will not be used this year. The stage is 8km shorter but the inclusion of Coom An Easpaig will more than compensate for this.
Stage 1: Good Friday
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/599017894/
Starting and finishing in Killorglin after 105km and includes Killarney, Kilcummin, Scartaglin, Castleisland, Currans, Ballyfinnane, Firies, Castlemaine, Milltown. The category 2 climb at Knocknaboul is the feature of the stage.
Stage 2: Easter Saturday
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/599020702/
This is a day for the climbers. A total distance of 145km – starting and finishing in Kenmare and taking in the category 1 climb to the Healy Pass. Then it’s down into Adrigole, Glengarriffe, Ballylickey followed by Ballingeary, Reenaree, Ballyvourney, The County Bounds, which includes a further two category 2 climbs, turning left off the main road at Poulgorm Bridge, into Kilgarvan and onto the finish.
Stage 3: Easter Sunday
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/587787464/
This is our annual day in South Kerry which includes a series of loops once described by Irish Cycling Legend Philip Cassidy as “the finest road racing stage in Ireland”. This stage includes the category 1 climb at Coom An Easpaig adding to the intrigue of the Race. This occurs at the 90km point of the 135 km route which also includes 5 other climbs. Starting and finishing in Waterville the route also includes Aughatubrid, Ballinskelligs, The Glen, Annagar Bridge, Cahersiveen, Dromid, New Chapel Cross, The Creamery Cross, Portmagee, Coom an Easpaig, The Glen, Aughatubrid, and onto the finish.
Stage 4: Easter Monday
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/599024756/
The final day is a flat 115km stage – starting and finishing in Killorglin with the usual sting in the tail. The 25km loop through Beaufort is covered 3 times and then it’s the final 10 laps of the town circuit including Killorglin’s famous hill each time.
Clubs & teams interested in taking part in Kerry Group Ras Mumhan should contact the Race Secretary/Organiser, Mary Concannon by email at maryconcannon15@gmail.com or by phone at 00 353 64 6644396 / 00 353 87 2802071.