Stage 2 of the 2025 Rás Tailteann took the riders from Charlestown to Clifden over a distance of 170.9kms in glorious sunshine.
Before the riders set out, the late Gene Mangan was honoured with a presentation to his son Eoin to commemorate the 70th anniversary of his 1955 win, when he became the youngest winner of the Rás.
How Stage 2 unfolded...
On the menu for the ‘Queen Stage’ for the peloton were 5 categorised climbs with the ‘Windy Gap’ category one climb just after 50kms.
There was a fast start from the flag drop as the contenders sought to position themselves for the early climb, Daire Feeley (Burren CC) was notably active popping off the front a number of times in the first 15kms of racing.
Nothing was being let go as the bunch zipped along at speeds in excess of 50km/h.
A spill in Bohola along with the high speeds caused a split in the race. Conn McDunphy (Team Skyline) chased hard to bring his group back up to the main bunch. After 30kms, the yellow Jersey himself Tim Shoreman (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) had a go as did Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster) several times. Nothing sticking as yet though.
Until George Peden (Team PB Performance Coaching) and Josh Charlton (Team GB) opened up a 45 second gap to take them over the Cat 1 Windy Gap KOH in first and second place respectively, followed by Adam Lewis (Team Skyling).
Their gap extended up to a minute thanks to the arrival of reinforcements, Dean Harvey (Team Ireland) and Kevin McCambridge (Cycling Ulster). After 80kms of racing, the front of the race was back together with approximately 65 riders and a group of approximately 45 at 3m 30s.
As the Stage reached Maumtrasna, a group of seven riders Will Perrett (DAS Richardsons) Josh Charlton (Team GB), Cormac McGeough (Canel’s Java), Sebastián Brenes Mata (Canel’s Java), Maxime Richard (Good Guys Racing NYC) Cian Keogh (Skyline) and Ronan Twomey (Kanturk) had opened up a 25-second advantage over the peloton.
By the fourth KOH of the day over the Category 2 Cill Dubh after 120.7kms of racing, and following some really aggressive riding by Canel’s Java and Team Skyline, the front of the race was back together. Jamie Meehan (Team Ireland) was followed over the KOH line by Adam Lewis (Skyline) and Matthew Teggart (Specsavers Banbridge CC).
Tired legs were beginning to play a big part in today’s stage with riders absolutely all over the road and some seriously hard racing in the heart of Connemara. The block headwind and lack of shelter also playing its part.
With 25kms to go the 13 leaders had 33 seconds on 7 chasers with the Yellow Jersey at 1.20!
13 leaders: Danylo Riwnyj (Foran CT), Will Perrett (Richardsons DAS), Josh Housley (Primers TeamJobs), Aaron King (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli), Dexter Mansel (CC Isle of Man), Harry Macfarlane (Ride Revolution Coaching), Sebastián Brenes Mata (Canel’s Java), Maxime Richard and Satchel Kim (Good Guys Racing NYC), Adam Lewis and Conn McDunphy (Team Skyline), Jamie Meehan (Team Ireland), and Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey Pissei).
7 chasers: Jordan Giles (Richardsons DAS), Josh Charlton (Team GB), George Peden (Team PB Performance Coaching), Cian Keogh (Team Skyline), Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster), Daire Feeley (Burren CC), and Matthew Teggart (Specsavers Banbridge CC).
Tim Shoreman’s Yellow Jersey in real danger now as he found himself further back at 2minutes 30secs.
The 7 chasers led by Feeley and Doogan were gradually bring the gap down to the front of the race. 13 seconds at 12kms to go.
Charlton riding hard now and the gap down to 5 seconds or about 20meters and holding.
At 1km to go Cian Keogh had a go but is joined by Will Perrett (Richardsons DAS) who dropped the former on the last drag before going full track mode to take his first Stage win on this his 4th Rás.
Josh Charlton (Team GB) in second Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster) is third, Daire Feeley (Burren CC) is fourth and Aaron King (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) comes in fifth.
"I'm speechless, like. It's a dream come true." - Odhran Doogan, Cycling Ulster
Perrett’s win puts him in the FBD Stage Winner Jersey.
Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster) takes over the Bective Stud Yellow Jersey classification but Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey Pissei) and Sebastián Brenes Mata (Canel’s Java) are chomping at the bit 3 and 6 seconds behind respectively – it truly still is all to play for.
Josh Chrlton (Team GB) 2nd on Stage 2.
Adam Lewis (Team Skyline) in the Irish Independent Mountains Jersey.
Odhran Doogan moves into the Spin 11 U23 Jersey, 11 seconds ahead of trio Josh Charlton, Jamie Meehan and Satchel Kim.
Full Stage 1 Results and Classifications.
Full Stage 2 Results and Classifications.
Odhran Doogan (Cycling Ulster) takes over the Bective Stud Yellow Jersey classification with Matteo Cigala (Dan Morrissey Pissei) and Sebastián Brenes Mata (Canel’s Java) at 3 and 6 seconds behind respectively.
