GET YOUR PULSE RACING IN Day International UCI Cycle Race. An Post Rás May 1,199km

Transcription

1 GET YOUR PULSE RACING IN Day International UCI Cycle Race An Post Rás May 1,199km

2 Who will claim the title? This year county, national and international teams will battle it out to claim the winners jerseys. Professional cycle races have a long standing tradition of awarding special Leader Jerseys for the various competitions. They carry honour and prestige for those who win and wear them. Post Parcels Yellow Jersey AddressPal Sprint One4all Bikes4work King of the Mountain Sport Ireland U2 Post Insurance County LeasePlan Stage Great cover at a great price Car Insurance Get up to 60% OFF* *60% Off Includes: 50% No claims discount If claims free for 5 years. 27% No penalty points discount If you and all named drivers are penalty point free and hold a driving licence capable of incurring penalty points for driving offences in the Republic of Ireland. This discount is only available from Aviva Insurance Limited. 24 hr Breakdown rescue cover A minimum premium of 0.50 applies. Discounts are applied consecutively. Offer available at time of print. April Post Insurance Expect more. Call Visit postinsurance.ie Acceptance criteria terms and conditions apply. One Direct (Ireland) Limited, trading as Post Insurance, is regulated by the Central 1 Bank of Ireland. One Direct (Ireland) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of An Post.

3 This year 8 teams will compete to become An Post Rás champions. INTERNATIONAL TEAMS Australia National Team Belgium National Team Denmark Riwal Platform Cycling UCI Continental Team France Armée de Terre UCI Continental Team Ireland National Team An Post Chain Reaction UCI Continental Team Netherlands Candidacy Team Delta UCI Continental Team Slovenia ROG Ljubljana UCI Continental Team USA CCB Velotooler UCI Continental Team BRITAIN JLT Condor UCI Continental Team Madison Genesis UCI Continental Team Bike Channel Canyon UCI Continental Team Team Wiggins UCI Continental Team Neon Velo Cycling Team COUNTY Teams Cycling Ulster Antrim Phoenix Cork Aqua Blue Sport Cork MSL Mercedes- Benz Giant Cork Strata / VeloRevolution Derry EJB Car Sales Donegal Voodoo Performance Down Bikehouse Down Newry Wheelers Dublin Orwell Scott Dublin Friends First St Tiernans Dublin UCD Fitz Cycles Galway Team itap Galway Team Gerry McVeigh Cars Kerry Killarney CT Leitrim Velo Café Magasin Limerick Newcastle West / Rockwell Engineering Louth Cuchulainn Mayo Castlebar Unit 7 Mayo Westport Covey Wheelers Meath Navan Road Club Tipperary Panduit Tyrone Omagh Wheelers Waterford Racing Club The only pal I need to go shopping with in the UK. AddressPal.ie allows you to shop UK websites, even if they don t deliver to Ireland. Order from the UK with AddressPal.ie *Terms and Conditions apply. 2

4 The Route Coming to a town near you! Over 1,199km, eight stages and 27 categorised climbs, watch riders battle for the coveted yellow jersey. An Post Rás 2017 features two of the most difficult climbs in the country, Mamore Gap and Glengesh Pass. 1 DUBLIN CASTLE > LONGFORD Sunday 21 May 146.1km Day one of An Post Rás rolls out from Dublin Castle, through Dublin city centre to the official drop of the flag outside St Loman s Hospital, Palmerstown. The route then winds through Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock, Summerhill and Trim prior to the first An Post Hot Spot Sprint in Athboy (5.9km). The first climb is the Category, Loughcrew (7.6km) and then into Oldcastle for another An Post Hot Spot Sprint (79.4km). From there the riders head to Ballyjamesduff and into Granard, for the day s third and final An Post Hot Spot Sprint (120.2km). The remaining 25km offer more time bonuses and a sprint to the finish in Longford. 2 newport LONGFORD > Monday 22 May 149.9km Stage 2 features three An Post Primes. The first is in Ballymoe after 48.7km of racing. This is followed just 9.1km later by the second An Post Prime in Williamstown (57.8km). From there the peloton will entertain crowds in Cloonfad, Claremorris, Balla, Manulla and Kilnageer. The day s third and final An Post Prime in Breaghwy (108.5km) is on the outskirts of Castlebar. Riders will battle through Westport to the finish in Newport. newport > bundoran Tuesday 2 May 149km Stage is mainly flat and fast, beginning in Newport and heading through Glenhest, Crossmolina and Ballina en route to the sole An Post Prime in Inishcrone (59.5km). From there the route winds through Rathlee, Easkey, Dromore West, Templeboy, Dromard, Ballisadare, Rathcormac, Drumcliff and Ciffoney. The racing finishes in Bundoran with a final gallop to the line. 4 BUNDoran buncrana > Wednesday 24 May 151.8km Stage 4 begins in Bundoran and heads through Ballyshannon, Laghey, Donegal Town, Ballybofey, Stranorlar and Letterkenny. The first climb is the Category, Maghera Beg (79.7km) and the second climb, Category, Slavery Hill (112.8km) comes after Buncrana. It is immediately followed by the Category, Old Mountain (119.5 km). Riders then face straight into the Category, Pinch Mountain (122.7km). The final climb, the fearsome Mamore Gap (17.4km), with the Category 1 slopes is likely to cause even more havoc. From there just 14.4km remain until the finish at Buncrana. 5 Buncrana dungloe > Thursday 25 May 181.2km At 181.2km, Stage 5 is the longest stage with two Category climbs. After Burnfoot and Burt a fast descent at Ramelton is followed by a pass through Rathmullen. The Category climbs of Anny Far and Near/ Carnagarrow (69.7km) and Ballymastocker (75km) follow. Racing through the Donegal Gaeltacht, An Post Rás heads to Portnablagh with An Post Primes in Dunfanaghy (124km) and Falcarragh (16km).Less than 50km remain with the route going through Gweedore, Anagaire and Mullahduff before the finish line in Dungloe. 6 Donegal Dungloe > Friday 26 May 12.1km Stage 6 is 'short', with a 12.1km race to Donegal Town. This is one of the hilliest stages, with six categorised climbs. The first climb is the Category, Loughnambraddan (17.5km). The riders then race to Ardara, where they meet the Category 1, Glengesh Pass (60.5km), the Category, Altclogh (72.8km), Category 2, Meenavaghran (80.6km) and the Category

5 pairing of Cashling (89.km) and Kilcar (95km). Another lull follows on the flatter roads through Killybegs, Bruckless and the An Post Prime at Dunkineely (114.2km). The day s final climb is the Category, Drumbeagh (124 km), just over eight kilometres from the stage end in Donegal Town. 7 ARDEE DonegaL > Saturday 27 May 167.km A flatter Stage 7 heads southeast, covering 167.km. After leaving Donegal Town the peloton will head through Kesh, Enniskillen, Tamlaght, Clones, Newbliss, Cootehill, Shercock and Carrickmacross before a wrangle for the stage finish in Ardee, Co. Louth. 8 Ardee > SKERRIES Sunday 28 May 129.4km The first hour will be flat and fast, heading for Nobber, Navan, Kentstown and Duleek before the first of six climbs. The Category 2, Bellewstown (61.0km), is followed by the Category, Snowtown Hill/Harbourstown (67.9km) and Ringfort View (79.7 km). From there the riders will race on to Skerries and complete four crossings of the finish line during three 1.8km laps of the finishing circuit. The Category climb of Black Hills rearing up at 92.8km, 106.6km and 120.4km offers a last gasp chance for attackers to chase the stage and claim overall honours. GALWAY CORK 4 Buncrana 5 Dungloe 6 Donegal Bundoran 2 NEWPORT Race Start Race Finish Stage Finish/Next Stage Start SLIGO 1 LONGFORD ATHLONE BELFAST 7 ARDEE 8 SKERRIES DUBLIN Save up to 52%

6 Safety messages With 190 cyclists racing, there will be lots happening as team support cars feed riders, fix bikes and official vehicles keep time and supervise the race. It s busy and fast, so safety is all important. Here s how you can help. Spectators At the race finish area, please observe any temporary parking restrictions such as No Parking cones and obey normal parking restrictions. Park considerately and do not block access to homes or businesses. Please do not park within 500m of the finish line. Animals may be startled by cyclists passing at high speed. Keep your pet on a lead while the competitors and race vehicles pass. Keep livestock off the road. Parents, keep young children under supervision as they can become excited by the spectacle of the race. Keep prams and buggies well away from the roadside. As the competitors may use the full width of the road, stand on the footpath or well back on the verge. Stand behind any crowd safety barriers, tapes or ropes present they are there for your safety. Follow any instructions or advice given by Gardaí or Race Marshals. Don t be offended the marshals are all volunteers who are there to ensure the safety of race participants and spectators. Do not stand in the road to photograph the race. This is dangerous and unlikely to produce a good photograph. There are vantage points around the route which, with a little forward planning, offer better opportunities for great shots. Keep your camera out of the riders path. Motorists The racing cyclists and their support vehicles will be preceded by vehicles and motorcyclists with warning lights and illuminated roof signs. When you see these approaching please slow down and pull in to the side to let the An Post Rás pass safely. Garda Escort Motor Cyclists and civilian Motorcycle Marshals wearing hi visibility jackets will also precede the race. Please comply with any safety advice they give. The field may be split into several groups, so please do not presume that because the leaders have passed there are no more cyclists coming. Check that the road is clear before moving off. If you travel to see the race, please arrive at your intended viewing point early enough to find suitable parking (lay by, side roads and designated car parks). Avoid parking along the race route as parked cars can pose a serious hazard to the racing cyclists. If you have to park on the race route, please do so on the opposite side of the road from that on which the riders will be travelling. Broom Wagon The Broom Wagon is easily identifiable by signs and a long handled broom tied to the outside of the vehicle. It follows the last rider in the race and picks up riders who abandon. Only when you see it can you be sure that the road behind it is clear of An Post Rás traffic. 5

7 stage 1 DUBLIN CASTLE > LONGFORD 146.1KM SUNDAY 21 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Hot Spot Sprint King of the Mountain Town en route 100km Ballyjamesduff Killeenatruan Granard 80km 140km Ballinalee 120km Oldcastle Longford Crossakiel/Crosa Caoil Kilskyre/Cill Scíre 60km Athboy Trim 40km Summerhill Garadice 20km Kilcock Maynooth Leixlip Liffey Valley ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Dublin Castle Ceremonial Start 12:00 12:00 12: N4 at Liffey Valley - Race Start 12:0 12:0 12:0 5.7 Leixlip 12:7 12:8 12: Maynooth 12:47 12:50 12: Kilcock 12:5 12: Garadice 1.0 1: Summerhill : Trim : Athboy An Post Hot Spot Sprint 1.7 1: Crossakiel/Crosa Caoil : Lough Crew Cat KOM : Oldcastle An Post Hot Spot Sprint : Ballyjamesduff : Granard An Post Hot Spot Sprint : Ballinalee : Killeenatruan : Longford :

8 stage 2 LONGFORD > NEWPORT 149.9KM MONDAY 22 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Prime King of the Mountain Town en route Newport 140km 120km Castlebar Manulla Breaghwy Balla Westport 100km Claremorris 80km Cloonfad Ballymoe 40km Lanesborough 20km Longford Williamstown 60km Ballyleague Killashee Roscommon ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Longford 11:00 11:00 11:00 5. Killashee 11:06 11:07 11: Lanesborough 11:15 11:18 11:2 14. Ballyleague 11:17 11:21 11: Roscommon 11:4 11:40 11: Ballymoe An Post Prime : Williamstown An Post Prime : Cloonfad : Claremorris : Balla : Manulla : Breaghwy An Post Prime : Castlebar : Westport : Newport :

9 stage NEWPORT > BUNDORAN 149.0KM TUESDAY 2 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Prime King of the Mountain Town en route 140km Bundoran Crossmolina Grange 120km Easkey Rathlee Dromore West Templeboy 60km 80km Inishcrone Dromard Beltra 100km Cliffoney Drumcliff Rathcormac Ballisadare 40km Ballina 20km Glenhest Newport ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Newport 11:00 11:00 11:00 5. Glenhest : Crossmolina : Ballina : Inishcrone An Post Prime : Rathlee : Easkey : Dromore West Templeboy : Dromard : Beltra 1.0 1: Ballisadare : Rathcormac : Drumcliff : Grange : Cliffoney : Bundoran :

10 stage 4 BUNDORAN > BUNCRANA 151.8KM WEDNESDAY 24 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Prime King of the Mountain Town en route 2 120km Buncrana Fahan km Buncrana 100km Letterkenny Burt Burnfoot 80km Drumkeen 60km Ballybofey 40km Stranorlar Donegal 20km Laghey Ballyshannon Bundoran ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Bundoran : Ballyshannon : Laghey : Donegal : Ballybofey : Stranorlar : Drumkeen : Letterkenny Maghera Beg Cat KOM Burt : Burnfoot : Fahan : Buncrana : Slavery Hill Cat KOM : Old Mountain Cat 2 KOM : Pinch Mountain Cat 2 KOM 1. 14: Mamore Gap Cat 1 KOM : Buncrana :

11 stage 5 BUNCRANA > DUNGLOE 181.2KM THURSDAY 25 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Prime King of the Mountain Town en route Leat Beg Dunfanaghy 120km Carraig Airt 80km 100km Gortahork 140km Falcarragh Creeslough Rathmullen Buncrana Tooban Kincasslagh Gweedore 160km Crolly Meenacung Ramelton 60km Burt Burnfoot Bridgend Annagry 20km 40km Letterkenny 160km Dungloe ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Buncrana 11:00 11:00 11: Tooban : Burnfoot : Bridgend : Burt : Letterkenny : Ramelton : Rathmullen : Anny Far and Near Carnagarrow Cat KOM : Ballymastocker Strand Climb Cat KOM : Leat Beg : Carraig Airt : Creeslough : Dunfanaghy An Post Prime : Falcarragh (An Fál Carrach) An Post Prime : Gortahork (Gort na Choirce) : Meenacung (Min Na Cuinge) : Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair) : Crolly (Croithlí) : Annagry (Anagaire) : Kincasslagh (Cionn Caslach) : Dungloe :

12 stage 6 DUNGLOE > DONEGAL 12.1KM FRIDAY 26 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Prime King of the Mountain Town en route Dungloe 20km Clooney 40km Glenties Glencolmcille 1 Ardara 60km 80km Meenaneary 2 Carrick Killybegs 120km Donegal Town 100km Bruckless Dunkineely ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Dungloe 11:00 11:00 11: Loughnambraddan Cat KOM : Glenties : Clooney : Ardara : Glengesh Pass Cat 1 KOM : Meenaneary : Altclogh Climb Cat KOM : Glencolmcille : Meenavaghran Climb Cat 2 KOM : Carrick : Cashling Climb Cat KOM : Kilcar Cat KOM : Killybegs : Bruckless : Dunkineely An Post Prime : Drumbeagh Cat KOM : Donegal Town :

13 stage 7 DONEGAL > ARDEE 167.KM SATURDAY 27 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Prime King of the Mountain Town en route Donegal Town Laghey 20km Pettigoe Lisnarick Kesh 40km Trory Enniskillen 60km Tamlaght Lisnaskea Newtownbutler 80km Clones 100km Newbliss Cootehill 120km Carrickmacross Shercock 140km 160km Ardee ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Donegal Town 11:00 11:00 11:00.2 Laghey : Pettigoe : Kesh : Lisnarick : Trory : Enniskillen : Tamlaght : Lisnaskea : Newtownbutler : Clones : Newbliss : Cootehill : Shercock : Carrickmacross : Ardee :

14 stage 8 ARDEE > SKERRIES 129.4KM SUNDAY 28 MAY Stage start Stage finish An Post Prime King of the Mountain Town en route Drumconrath Ardee Nobber 20km Wilkinstown Kilberry Navan Duleek 60km 40km Kentstown 2 Naul 120km Skerries 80km Skerries 100km 1 ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL AT KILOMETRES PER HOUR KM Location Back Wind Average Head Wind 0.0 Ardee 12:0 12:0 12:0 7.2 Drumconrath : Nobber Wilkinstown Kilberry Navan Kentstown Duleek Bellewstown Cat 2 KOM Snowtown Hill/Harbourstown Cat KOM Naul Ringfort View Cat KOM Skerries Black Hills Cat KOM Skerries Black Hills Cat KOM Skerries Black Hills Cat KOM Skerries

15 Skerries Grand Finale & Street Party Sunday 28th May Join us in Skerries, North County Dublin, for an action-packed afternoon of fun and to welcome Ireland s premier cycle race to the Grand Finale in Skerries for a record 12th time. At 12.0 pm a massive Street Party kicks-off the day with street games, a funfair, farmers' market stalls with home-made goodies and crafts; music and dance, face-painting and magic shows. At around 1.0pm join us on Strand Street to witness the spectacle that is the peloton racing through the town four times, battling it out for the yellow jersey and the crowning of the 2017 An Post Rás winner. Join us online Facebook: facebook.com/ Anpostras #skerriesras HISTORYSOREAL YOUCANALMOST SMELLTHE SMOKE Explore the 1916 Easter Rising & modern Irish History in a spectacular setting General Post Office, O Connell St. Lower, Dublin 1 Tel: + 5 (0) Book online at for best rates Communication Technology Ltd RISO COMCOLOR DIGITAL COLOUR PRINTER Denhu Complex Walkinstown Avenue, Dublin sales@comtec.ie 14

16 Your parcels are in even when you re out. Visit anpost.ie/deliverybox *Terms and Conditions apply. An Post Rás thanks Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI), Ireland s National Mapping Agency Sponsor of An Post Rás 2017 Route Maps Visit for a wide range of interactive maps An Post RÁs Live race commentary, video highlights, pictures and news. Follow the action wherever you are Cuchulainn Crystal Proud Sponsors of Irish Cycling