An Post Ras 2012

Home:Ballyhoura

Route for this years race is out!

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/IrishCyclingRas/Route/

Ouch!!

killalanerr

shortest stage 134kms longest is 161kms might want to review the base miles needed boys :eek:

Diarmuid

Jesus that's rough. Glengesh after 100km. barf

jiffybag

Stage 5 , Mamore Gap . Marvellous! That is a classic stage for spectating.

killalanerr

jiffybag wrote: »

Stage 5 , Mamore Gap . Marvellous! That is a classic stage for spectating.

ya it looks like a super route this year their should be some super action,who will be the Irish stage winners this year ?

bcmf

linky not worky for me!!! Getting error 404

Home:Ballyhoura

Must have been removed as it is not supposed to be released until tomorrow, stickybottle have an article up on it already though!
http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/an-post-ras-route-unveiled-here-now-after-accidental-leak-donegal-dominates/

el tel

Brilliant route, hope to get to a few stages this year.

RobFowl

Great route
You riding Ballyhoura? Maybe not to finish but to get a feel for future years?

ednwireland

finally a proper race round proper roads, now must book some holidays

The Crunch

Diarmuid wrote: »

Jesus that's rough. Glengesh after 100km. barf

Sure a man of your talent will scamper up it like a startled ibex. Besides, the pros will have scarpered by then. You'll love it!

ednwireland

Diarmuid wrote: »

Jesus that's rough. Glengesh after 100km. barf

i find the run back into killybegs more soul destroying - at least glengesh feels like you've done something the road back from carrick is all up down and depressing the run to meenaneery is great though

ednwireland

official press release

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/IrishCyclingRas/News/News/60th+EDITION+OF+THE+AN+POST+R%C3%81S+SETS+DEMANDING+CHALLENGE+FOR+RIDERS.htm

AN POST RÁS SETS DEMANDING CHALLENGE FOR RIDERS

“Tactically Difficult” route takes a North West direction for 2012


The 2012 An Post Rás route, the sixtieth anniversary of the race, was announced this morning at the GPO. Laying out a battleground that features 28 categorised climbs, including three of the hardest and best-known ascents in the country, the race looks certain to provide riders with a challenging eight days of racing.

A number of ‘Rás legends’ including ‘Iron Man’ Mick Murphy, four times winner Sé O’Hanlon and the first ever winner of the race, Colm Christle, joined rising Irish star Sam Bennett at the GPO today to celebrate the launch of the 60th edition of the Rás.

Rás organiser Dermot Dignam believes the 2012 An Post Rás is going to be one of the toughest in years.

“It is going to be the most challenging course in recent memory,” said Dignam “This is Stephen’s (cyclist Stephen O’Sullivan) second year to design the route and he has really planned a very hard eight days of racing”

“There are a huge number of difficult ascents littered throughout the route, and overall it is probably leaning more towards the climber than the all-rounder. There is something tough in store every single day, so there’s no doubt it will be a very exciting race” Dignam added.

Passing through a total of fourteen counties and totalling 1168 kilometres over the eight days, the race will again get underway in Dunboyne, Co. Meath (home club of O’Sullivan) on Sunday May 20th. It follows a roughly clockwise direction, heading north west this year, instead of south west, with stage finishes in Kilkenny, Gort, Westport, Bundoran, Buncrana, Killybegs, Cootehill and Skerries.

Dignam expects that as usual, the race will attract strong international professional and national teams from Europe and further afield.

An Post first became the sponsor of Ireland’s most gruelling cycling race last year, and after a hugely successful contest An Post Chief Executive Donal Connell is looking forward to creating an even bigger spectacle this year.

“2012 marks an incredible sixty years of racing under the banner of the Rás Tailteann. An Post is once again supporting this special event, in what is a landmark anniversary year for the race.”

“Among Irish people there is a strong tradition and heritage attached to the An Post Rás. This year the support and interest from towns along the route has again been huge, no doubt due both to the success of last year’s event and the very real value of a spectacle of this size coming to town.” .

“The An Post Rás is quite literally putting the towns of villages of Ireland on the map – with a valuable spin off for the local economy. Many of the stage end towns are now running their own cycling festivals in tandem with the race and a number of charities are benefiting from parallel events.”.

“As part of our community sponsorship this event allows us to support volunteerism, sporting excellence and local business all over the country. We are looking forward to a truly memorable 60th edition of the race” he added.

Details of the international teams set to join this year’s An Post Rás will be released over the coming months. The An Post Sean Kelly team, with whom the defending champion Gediminas Bagdonas rides, is already committed to participating.

Fr D Maugire

As a Donegal man, its great to see so many stages in up here this year. Must be making up for the last few years when they havent come near us.

Never understood why the old Nissan Classic or the revived Tour of Ireland never came to Donegal, great challenging roads up here as many on here cant attribute to. Will have to make my way to Mamore Gap and Glengesh to watch the suffering.

dvntie

Ah well was going to do the race the ras thing this yr. gonna be too far away now

ednwireland

dvntie wrote: »

Ah well was going to do the race the ras thing this yr. gonna be too far away now

huh ? starts and finishes round dublin

dvntie

ednwireland wrote: »

dvntie wrote: »

Ah well was going to do the race the ras thing this yr. gonna be too far away now

huh ? starts and finishes round dublin

Not based in Dublin anymore thank god

Bikerbhoy

dvntie wrote: »

ednwireland wrote: »

dvntie wrote: »

Ah well was going to do the race the ras thing this yr. gonna be too far away now

huh ? starts and finishes round dublin

Not based in Dublin anymore thank god

Your statements are a bit random dude,not sure we know what you are trying to say. . .

Home:Ballyhoura

@RobFowl: Yeah why not sure One of my aims for the year!

fat bloke

Just checking out stickybottle.com - great name and a great site I must say.

Anyway, they've a breakdown of the stages of the upcoming rás and it sounds fantastic. I'd love to follow it some year, like you would the tour de france, but without all the ferry hassle and expense!

The 5th stage talks about "Mamore Gap" regarded as the single toughest ascent in Ireland" !! I can't find it on google maps or ridewithgps. Anyone climbed it? - What are the numbers? How long / hard / steep is it??

I've a longing to head to the Alps with my bike whenever I get a chance, but perhaps I should pay more attention to the roads closer to home! Certainly my Meath and Kildare exploits of late have led me to wonder why one would search an farther afield for nice smooth clean scenic tarmac!



From stickybottle:

"This is in complete contrast to day four; with the route from Bundoran to Buncrana much more difficult. It includes no less than seven climbs including Mamore Gap, which is regarded by many as the single toughest ascent in Ireland. This stage will play to the mountain specialists the same way that the previous stage facilitated the sprinters.

The early ascents are appetizers for what is to follow, with Barnesmore Gap (km 41), Maghera Beg (78.8km), Slavary (111.5km) and Old Mountain (117km) all being third category climbs. They are split by the Post Office sprint in Burt, which will further liven things up. However things really start to get going after approximately three hours of racing, when the peloton battles it out on the category two Pinch Mountain (120.7km).

The backbreaker comes soon afterwards when the contenders slug it out on the legendary Mamore Gap.

Topping out twelve kilometres from the finish, it is ferociously steep and has always shattered the field in the past. Current world time trial champion Tony Martin seized yellow in the 2007 race when he rode well over the climb, and defended that lead until the end of the race.

“The stage is only 149 kilometres, but it’s the day the real agony starts,” states Dignam. “Within 40 kilometres there is the Barnesmore Gap…it is a main road climb, but is still enough to pile the pressure on the field. A couple of strong riders on the front could definitely start burning others off. Other climbs then follow, including the first ascent of Old Mountain, which is short and steep.”

“Pinch Mountain is bordering on a Cat 1 – it is a hard climb. After that the riders will head to Clonmany, then up Mamore Gap. It certainly has to be one of the steepest climbs in the county, and will be utterly decisive. Once past the top, there’s one last test; the race will go up the other side of Old Mountain, a short and steep climb. The guys who survive after Mamore but don’t have anything left will really suffer there. This is going to be one of the most important stages. The bunch will be blown apart."

Beasty

Threads merged

Beasty

ryan_sherlock

fat bloke wrote: »

The 5th stage talks about "Mamore Gap" regarded as the single toughest ascent in Ireland" !! I can't find it on google maps or ridewithgps. Anyone climbed it? - What are the numbers? How long / hard / steep is it??

The national hill climb champs were up it in 2008 and 2009. I did both, here is a report to get the flavor: http://ryansherlock.blogspot.com/2008/08/2008-national-hill-climb-championships.html

Weather conditions also play a big part in this climb. It is a toughie no doubt!

Rita1

Welcome to Donegal......a few nice climbs there....I like it

seve65

Presumably this is the other side of the mamore gap ?
http://app.strava.com/segments/876936

ednwireland

seve65 wrote: »

Presumably this is the other side of the mamore gap ?
http://app.strava.com/segments/876936

yep from the sea its
http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Gap-of-Mamore&qryMountainID=7202#profile

Paul Kiernan

Does anyone have a link to the exact route of stage 8, i.e. a mapmyride or ridewithgps map of the route? I'm thinking of cycling down to Naul or Garristown or somewhere, watching the peleton pass, then following the route to catch the closing circuits in Skerries. Would this be feasible?

Thanks, Paul

bcmf

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Does anyone have a link to the exact route of stage 8, i.e. a mapmyride or ridewithgps map of the route? I'm thinking of cycling down to Naul or Garristown or somewhere, watching the peleton pass, then following the route to catch the closing circuits in Skerries. Would this be feasible?

Thanks, Paul

They come into Garristown and straight down to the Naul/Oldtown Road and into Naul. From there its the Naul - Balbriggan road to the M1 flyove where they take a right towards Balrothery.Balrothery up to *Cross of the Cage (the turn for Ardgillan) but they continue straight where they go to the end of the road - take a left and a left again which leads into Skerries. From Skerries out the Coast road and up the climb to Ardgillan*
*Repeat again as the circuit.
Where I normally view is form Cross of the cage and then to Ardgillan gates at the top of the climb.
You would be doing very well to watch them pass at Naul and then view them again somehwere else even in a car the roads will be closed.

Paul Kiernan

Thanks BCMF, we thought maybe we could hop on our bikes as soon as the last of the support cars has gone through (even though the road might still be closed to vehicular traffic;)) and get to top of Ardgillan climb for the 2nd, or maybe even the first, pass.

We want to avoid the busy road to Skerries through Blakes Cross and Lusk and therefore thought we'd cycle out the back of the airport to Garristown or the Naul and then across to Skerries. Our other option is to get across before the race comes through. Do you know if they close the roads beforehand or just do rolling closures as the race comes through?

emtroche

I've drawn maps for all the stages. So much for the studying!

Just want to stress that these arent official but they are accurate. So if there are any errors or the route gets changed don't be going bananas!

Stage 1: Dunboyne - Kilkenny

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1168702

Stage 2: Kilkenny - Gort

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1168793

Stage 3: Gort - Westport

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1168912

Stage 4: Westport - Bundoran

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1168928

Stage 5: Bundoran - Buncrana

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1169014

Stage 6: Buncrana - Killybegs

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1169070

Stage 7: Donegal - Cootehill

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1169171

Stage 8: Cootehill - Skerries

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1169239

bcmf

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Thanks BCMF, we thought maybe we could hop on our bikes as soon as the last of the support cars has gone through (even though the road might still be closed to vehicular traffic;)) and get to top of Ardgillan climb for the 2nd, or maybe even the first, pass.

We want to avoid the busy road to Skerries through Blakes Cross and Lusk and therefore thought we'd cycle out the back of the airport to Garristown or the Naul and then across to Skerries. Our other option is to get across before the race comes through. Do you know if they close the roads beforehand or just do rolling closures as the race comes through?

Can only speak for what I mentioned above but once the race nears Balrothery they will close the roads then the circuit will be closed. The best advice I can give you is to drive to Balrothery, park the car there (can park outside mine if you want) and cycle up to Ardgillan or straight onto Skerries.
It means you arent too far from the car nor the race but can still get the atmosphere at KOM's or finish at Skerries. Skerries will effectivley be closed to traffic for a large part of the Sunday.

Paul Kiernan

If we go we'll definitely cycle down (though we might wimp out and get the train back:o). Thanks for the parking offer though. We'll probably aim to get somewhere near the Cross of the Cage as they arrive, then move down to the Ardgillan climb for the 2 circuits and then into town for the presentations.

greenmat

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

Does anyone have a link to the exact route of stage 8, i.e. a mapmyride or ridewithgps map of the route? I'm thinking of cycling down to Naul or Garristown or somewhere, watching the peleton pass, then following the route to catch the closing circuits in Skerries. Would this be feasible?

Thanks, Paul

Cycled out last year and watched the race pass the cross of the cage junction then rolled down the Ardgillian climb to the steepest section near the botttom and watched them pass again (In the big ring, b**tards). Then moved to the Main street for the finish. Great spots for watching the race.

Captain Havoc

I see TV3 has nightly highlights

emtroche

Captain Havoc wrote: »

I see TV3 has nightly highlights

Wouldn't be getting the hopes up too much.

Apparently the highlights are 2-minutes long! Which isn't much different than it would be on the rte news to be honest.

Anyway i'm not knocking, just saying.

Link here http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=anpostrs

emtroche

Looks like Ras weather alright!

There will be a good deal of dry weather on Sunday with just a few light scattered showers. Some bright spells will develop and tomorrow will see the start of a gradual increase in temperatures. Highest afternoon temperatures will climb to between 12 and 15 degrees in light variable breezes.

The weather is going to get much warmer next week and it will be mostly dry as well with sunny spells so after seven weeks of cold weather next week will definitely feel like summer.

Sunday night: Still cool Sunday night with lowest temperatures 3 to 8 degrees with a touch of ground frost.

Monday: Dry with sunny spells. After a cool start it will turn mild; highest temperatures 14 to 18 degrees in light southerly breezes. Lowest overnight temperatures 4 to 9 degrees with fog patches.

Tuesday: Sunny spells over Leinster and Ulster and temperatures here up to a warm 20 or 21 degrees in moderate southeasterly breezes. Some hazy sunshine over Munster and Connacht but overall quite cloudy with patchy light rain. Very mild with highs here of 15 to 19 degrees in fresh southerly winds. Minima Tuesday night and Wednesday night of 7 to 11 degrees.

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: Generally dry, warm and sunny. Cloud will bubble up at times leading to a few showers but for the most part these will be dry days with good sunny spells and warm as well with moderate east to southeast winds bringing in Continental air. Afternoon highs will range from 17 or 18 degrees along the east and south coast to a general 19 to 23 degrees. Very mild as well Thursday night and Friday night with minima of 10 to 14 degrees.

Possibly staying warm for next weekend as well but with a risk of thundery showers breaking out.

G rock

as a complete novice to following racing, where would be a good spot to see some of the ras?

i live in cootehill which has a stage finish next saturday, but not sure where to grab a perch to watch- there's a bit of a climb just outside the town-there? or somewhere near the finish line for the last bit of the sprint?

just interested in getting a feel for it!

buffalo

G rock wrote: »

as a complete novice to following racing, where would be a good spot to see some of the ras?

i live in cootehill which has a stage finish next saturday, but not sure where to grab a perch to watch- there's a bit of a climb just outside the town-there? or somewhere near the finish line for the last bit of the sprint?

just interested in getting a feel for it!

I'd be more of a fan of getting a spot at the climb. You'll get a better look at the riders (as they go past a little slower), and things will be likely to be lined out a bit if it's a tough climb, so there won't be as big a bunch.

Then again, the atmosphere at the finish line will be fantastic! And it would be immense to watch the showdown, or bunch sprint.

So depends on your tastes, but whether you make the right decision will depend on the day and the riders anyway.

killalanerr

emtroche wrote: »

Looks like Ras weather alright!

dry days with good sunny spells and warm

Think ill pack the shorts so

Captain Havoc

emtroche wrote: »

Wouldn't be getting the hopes up too much.

Apparently the highlights are 2-minutes long! Which isn't much different than it would be on the rte news to be honest.

Anyway i'm not knocking, just saying.

Link here http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=anpostrs

Yep, 2 minutes of highlights, with intro, ad break (it's TV3 we're talking about), interviews and outro, it really doesn't leave a whole lot of cycling. Can't imagine Ruud on RTÉ giving it any less.

3102derek

Quick video from Hill of Allen today

inkedpt

Hi!
Went to Dunboyne this morning and took some photos. They're to many to post them in here so here's the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/twowheelsnoengine/sets/72157629818241476/

Here is another link for this year Rás useful if you want to see it: http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/IrishCyclingRas/Route/The+Route.htm

Cheers!

emtroche

Looks like the comms had a field day today! http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/uploads/stage_1_results_004.pdf

M three

Live near the end of stage 7, any suggestions as to the best place to see the race between belturbet and cootehill? Theres a slight hill coming into belturbet and a sharp turn onto the main street but they'll probably still be going to fast there to get a good luck at them

emtroche

Savage!

Esroh

^^^^^^
Donal was an over weight Truck Driver 2 years ago. Trained to ride the TdeF routeinfront of the Tour but injury prevented it.Rode part of it later in 2010 Took up racing and earned enough points to be able to upgrade to ride Ras this year. Deserves to be a Man of the Ras

emtroche

Esroh wrote: »

^^^^^^
Donal was an over weight Truck Driver 2 years ago. Trained to ride the TdeF routeinfront of the Tour but injury prevented it.Rode part of it later in 2010 Took up racing and earned enough points to be able to upgrade to ride Ras this year. Deserves to be a Man of the Ras

Thats what its all about.

J Madone

Is there a live report feed from Shane Stokes this year?


Just found it!

ashleey

True grit at yesterday's finish

nilhg

J Madone wrote: »

Is there a live report feed from Shane Stokes this year?

Yes via the race site and there is a twitter feed too what way it'll manage in the wilds of Donegal I don't know.


Some pictures from the Hill of Allen yesterday here

buffalo

nilhg wrote: »

Yes via the race site and there is a twitter feed too what way it'll manage in the wilds of Donegal I don't know.

The Twittier feed is Fiona Cooke, afaik.

buffalo

Also, Ryan is doing video blogs again - http://ryansherlock.blogspot.com/2012/05/2012-anpost-ras-stage-1.html

Great to hear the view from inside the peloton!