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Last Updated: 14 Oct 2020 - 12:47:15 PM |
FBD Insurance Ras 2009 Stage Details
By www.fbdinsuranceras.com
21 Jan 2009,
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The 2009 race begins on Sunday May 17th with a 125 kilometre stage from Kilcullen to Wexford. While it's mainly flat, a King of the Mountains climb at Knocknacree, bonus sprints at Tullow and Bunclody plus the enthusiasm and aggression of a fresh peloton mean that a ferocious pace will be set.
STAGE 1, SUNDAY 17TH MAY KILCULLEN - WEXFORD, 125 KMS.
KILCULLEN, Castledermot, Knocknacree Category 3 KOM & Hot Spot Sprint, Tullow Hot Spot Sprint, Bunclody Hot Spot Sprint, Enniscorthy, Adamstown, Barntown, WEXFORD.
Stage two is both hillier and longer, extending 178 kilometres from Wexford to Cobh. Passing through New Ross, Waterford and skirting Dungarvan, the riders will scale the category two climb of The Sweep plus the third category ascents of Glenmore and Youghal en route to the distinctive uphill finish in Cobh.
STAGE 2, MONDAY 18TH MAY, WEXFORD - COBH, 178 KMS.
WEXFORD, Barntown, Ballinaboola, New Ross, Glenmore Category 3 KOM, Waterford, Kilmeadon, Lemybrien, Dungarvan By-Pass, The Sweep Category 3 KOM, Youghal Category 3 KOM, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, COBH.
Day three is the longest of the race, clocking up a whopping 189 kilometres between Cobh and Cahirciveen. It's also arguably the toughest; following the category three Coolavokig, the category one climbs of The Coom and Coomakista are certain to blow the field apart. The latter is just 22 kilometres from the finish and thus may play a very decisive role in determining the final winner of the race
STAGE 3, TUESDAY 19TH MAY, COBH - CAHIRCIVEEN, 189 KMS.
COBH, Jack Lynch Tunnel, Srelane, Curralahy, Lissarda, Macroom, Coolavokig Category 3 KOM, Baile Mhic Ire, Baile Bhuirne, The Coom Category 1 KOM, Kilgarvan, Kenmare, Templenoe, Sneem, Caherdaniel, Coomakista Category 1 KOM, Waterville, CAHIRCIVEEN.
Killorglin is the finish location for stage four, the uphill sprint to the line coming after the wearying riders complete another marathon and gruelling - day in the saddle. Over the course of 178 kilometres they will slug it out over five category three climbs, at An Draighneain, Anascaul, Ballintaggart, Garrai na dTor, and An Draighneain once again. That's tough enough by itself, but there's also a very difficult category one climb to consider. The Conor Pass tops out just over 60 kilometres from the finish and will have a major effect, exposing any weaknesses and allowing the strongest riders to press their advantage.
STAGE 4, WEDNESDAY 20th MAY, CAHIRCIVEEN - KILLORGLIN, 178 KMS.
CAHIRCIVEEN, Glenbeigh, Killorglin, Milltown, Castlemaine, Boolteens, Inch, An Draighneain Category 3 KOM, Anascaul, Anascaul Category 3 KOM, Camp, Stradbally, Conor Pass Category 1 KOM, An Daingean, Ballintaggart Category 3 KOM, Laos Poil, Garra na dTor Category 3 KOM, An Draighneain Category 3 KOM , Inch, Boolteens, Castlemaine, Milltown, KILLORGLIN.
Fortunately there will be a slight respite on the fifth stage, the profile being shorter and flatter and allowing the non-climbers to come back into the frame somewhat. The category three climbs at Glansharoon and Barnagh Gap come earlier than halfway through the 155 kilometres to Scariff and it's quite possible that the peloton will be together as it hurtles through Ballina and Killaloe in the final half hour of racing, gearing up for a massive, uphill sprint finish.
STAGE 5, THURSDAY 21st MAY, KILLORGLIN - SCARIFF, 155 KMS.
KILLORGLIN, Milltown, Firies, Farranfore, Castleisland, Glansharoon Category 3 KOM, Abbeyfeale, Templeglantine, Barnagh Gap Category 3 KOM, Newcastlewest, Adare, Limerick By-Pass, Birdhill, Killaloe, Ogonelle, Tuamgraney, SCARIFF.
The following day's 159 kilometres to Castlebar also favours those specialists as the only climbs the category three Lecarrow and Killanena come shortly after the start in Scariff. However it's certain that breakaway riders will try to foil the sprinters and slip away early on, setting the scene for a gripping pursuit match in the final hour.
STAGE 6, FRIDAY 22nd MAY, SCARIFF - CASTLEBAR, 159 KMS.
SCARIFF, Lecarrow Category 3 KOM, Killanena Category 3 KOM, Dromindoora, Gort, Ardrahan, Craughwell, Athenry, Laraghmore, Corrofin, Belclare, Caherlistrane, Shrule, Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, Partry, Ballintubber, Ballheane, CASTLEBAR.
More breaks are guaranteed on the penultimate day, a flat, fast 150 kilometre route to Clara. With only two stages remaining at that point, the battle for the final yellow jersey will be intense. That clash of contenders will then reach its crescendo on the concluding leg from Clara to Skerries, a 155 kilometre race featuring four category three climbs (Pluckhimin, Cross of the Cage and two ascents of the Black Hills).
STAGE 7, SATURDAY 23rd MAY, CASTLEBAR - CLARA, 150 KMS.
CASTLEBAR, Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Ballinlough, Castlerea, Ballymoe, Roscommon, Knockcroghery, Lecarrow, Moate, CLARA.
The distance includes two laps of a tough finishing circuit in Skerries and, as was the case in the past three editions of the race, huge crowds are expected there. In 2008 Stephen Gallagher of the An Post M. Donnelly Grant Thornton Sean Kelly team was the recipient of the loudest cheers, taking an important overall victory for Irish cycling.
STAGE 8, SUNDAY 24th MAY, CLARA - SKERRIES 155 KMS.
CLARA, Kilbeggan, Tyrellspass, Rochfordbridge, Milltownpass, Kinnegad, Killyon, Trim, Warrenstown, Warrenstowm, Drumree, Dunshaughlin, Rathoath, Curragha, Pluckhimin Category 3 KOM, Garristown, Naul, Balrothery, Cross of the Cage Category 3 KOM, Skerries, Black Hills Category 3 KOM, Skerries, Black Hills Category 3 KOM, SKERRIES.
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