Spring is in the air and it’s Kerry Group Rás Mumhan Time
Spring is well in the air with the anticipation of the upcoming Kerry Group Rás Mumhan that will dust of the final cobwebs and open this year’s cycling calendar, with the first serious stage race on the roads of Ireland. True to form, race wins in early season racing have already been put to the sword by last year’s overall winner Lindsay Watson in the John Haldane Memorial in Newry. 2022 Rás Tailteann winner Daire Feely opened his account at the Newbridge GP and last year’s stage winner Niall McLoughlin stepping out from the junior category staging his first win of the 2023 season with a fine win at the Phoenix GP. The elite of Irish cycling will converge on the roads of the Kingdom and North Cork for the Easter weekend and with a new addition to this year’s programme, Stage 3, with over 1600 meters of climbing in the hills around Millstreet, will surely separate the main contenders in this edition of Kerry Group Rás Mumhan. Race Director John Breen said, “With Stage 3 coming after what will be an epic race in to Sneem on the previous stage taking in the infamous Ballaghisheen as well as Coomakista on the Ring of Kerry Road, there is no doubt that the winning moves will be consolidated on the approach to the finish on Kerrymans Table “.
With planning for this year at the end stage with only a few weeks to go, Sinead Moriarty, Race Secretary would like to thank the local clubs, Sliabh Luachra CC, Killorglin CC, Tralee BC, and Killarney CC for the continued cooperation in making this the success that it is. “The seamless assistance from local clubs is paramount to the success of this year’s Rás Mumhan, the partnership with Kerry Group as well as local contributors helps in delivering the best. We are one of the biggest races on the Irish Calendar and we are delighted to be part of that team”.
The tradition and folklore associated with the hard men of the road is not lost here in the southwest of Ireland with former stars like Sean Lacey and Paudie O’Brien keeping the flame alive. So, get up close and feel the magic of road racing at the stage in Killorglin on the Easter Monday, which provides all with the theatre that’s needed.