Stage 1 of Rás Tailteann took the riders from Drogheda to Boyle over a distance of 155.5kms.
The stage was won by Tim Shoreman, from the UK Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli team, who will wear the first yellow jersey of the race.
The 70th edition of Rás Tailteann roared into life today under clear skies and soaring temperatures as 145 riders lined out in Drogheda for Stage 1, racing westwards to Boyle over 155.5km of fast, animated terrain.
How Stage 1 unfolded...
It was an explosive start to this historic edition, with attacking racing from the flag.
An early eight-man breakaway animated much of the day and featured Peter Cocker (DAS Richardsons), Aaron King (Wheelbase / Cabtech / Castelli), Odhran Doogan (Team Ulster), Owen Wright (Canel’s Java), Robin Fischer (Team Storck-Metropol Cycling), Danylo Riwnyi (Foran CT) and the Team Skyline duo of Conn McDunphy and Ronan O’Connor.
This powerful group forged a gap that hovered around the minute mark, collecting intermediate sprint and mountain points along the way.
Notably, Odhran Doogan was particularly aggressive, winning the Kilnaleck prime as well as hotspot sprints at Crossdoney and Mohill — banking six seconds in time bonuses and underlining his ambition for both stage honours and general classification.
Further back, Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey – Pissei) took top honours at the first intermediate sprint in Gibbstown, ahead of John Buller (Banbridge CC) and Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli), who would later have the final say on the day.
The race also featured the first King of the Mountains battle, with the category 3 climb at Oldcastle Legends going to Adam Lewis (Team Skyline), followed by Callum Salisbury (Isle of Man), Gareth O’Neill (Dan Morrissey – Pissei), and Tom Martin (Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli). With 20km to go, the breakaway’s advantage began to crumble as teams such as Great Britain CT, Connacht, and Wheelbase / Cabtech / Castelli ramped up the pace.
It was an explosive start to this historic edition, with attacking racing from the flag.
By the time the race charged into Boyle, the peloton had regrouped, setting up for a high-speed finale on the streets of Roscommon.
In the closing metres, it was Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase/Cabtech/Castelli) who showed his power and positioning to perfection, storming to victory ahead of Irish sensation Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling) and Will Tidball (Great Britain CT) in a dramatic bunch sprint.
STAGE ONE DEDICATED TO RÁS VOLUNTEERS
As part of the 70th edition celebrations, Stage 1 was proudly dedicated to the thousands of volunteers who have supported the Rás Tailteann over the decades.
From marshals to mechanics, community hosts to convoy drivers — their unwavering commitment, generosity, and passion for Irish cycling have been the backbone of this event since its inception.
The Rás simply wouldn’t exist without them, and today’s stage was a heartfelt tribute to their contribution across generations.
Tim Shoreman leads after Stage 1, and with times adjusted for Hot Spot Sprints and Stage Finish bonuses, he leads both Niall McLoughlin, Connacht Cycling and Odhran Doogan, Cycling Ulster by 3 seconds.
Tim Shoreman also leads the Citybreak Apartments Points Classification Green Jersey competition, but that jersey is worn by Will Tidball, Great Britain CT.
Adam Lewis (Team Skyline) leads The Irish Independent Mountains Competition.
Niall McLoughlin (Connacht Cycling) was the first Irish county rider home in second, so he wears the Sport Ireland Irish County Rider Jersey along with winning the Festina Daily County Rider Award.
