Rás Mumhan riders face severest of Kerry tests on Saturday

Kerry Group Rás Mumhan race director Tadhg Moriarty has warned riders with designs on making an impact on this year’s event to be “prepared for one of the hardest stages in the history of the race.”

Moriarty, whose son Eugene is a former winner of the event, believes Saturday’s stage around West Cork, where riders will race over 150km, could “blow the race to bits”.

And with that second stage being the last day before the clocks go forward (bringing brighter evenings), Moriarty joked that those who are not in good shape should consider bringing a torch with them.

“Saturday’s stage out around Castletownbere and Allihies is up there with the hardest stages in the history of the race. We won’t be getting started until 12 noon and guys are going to be on the road for several hours. There will be massive splits that day and some guys might even want to consider bring the torches because it’ll be the last day of the old time and will close in very quickly.”

The Caha Pass is one of the most difficult climbs not alone in Kerry but in Ireland and riders will race over that twice, the second ascent coming after over three hours in the saddle on the run back into the finish in Kenmare.

The race has grown in stature over the years and enjoys a growing reputation on the Continent and it’s no surprise to see a surge in interest again this year. Six British teams will make the trip while three Dutch teams are also travelling, with reigning champion Dennis Bakker set to be on the start line tomorrow. There are also six previous winners in the field, including Moriarty (DID Dunboyne), John Dempsey (Iverk Produce Carrick Wheelers), Stephen O’Sullivan (DID Dunboyne), Timmy Barry and Sean Lacey (AquaBlue) and Bakker, who will guest ride with the Killorglin team.

Last year, 165 riders started the race but this year’s event sees a huge surge in numbers, with 208 riders starting the four-day event which finishes next Monday back in the Square in Killorglin around 12noon.

Between tomorrow and then, however, riders will cover over 500km and 27 categorised climbs.

Racing gets under way in Killorglin tomorrow at 3.30pm before riders tackle the relatively short 108km leg that travels to Killarney, Kilcummin, Scartaglin, Castleisland, Firies, Milltown and back to Killorglin.

Saturday’s stage is a 150km leg-breaker from Kenmare, back over the Caha Pass to Glengarriff, where the race swings right and heads for Castletownbere, Eyeries, Ardgroom, over the Healy Pass, back to Adrigole, Glengarriff and back over the Healy Pass into Kenmare.

Sunday is the decisive stage and with strong winds and freezing temperatures forecast, riders will need to be well prepared for the elements.

The stage is essentially a lap of south Kerry, starting and finishing in Waterville but not before heading to Valentia Island, Portmagee, Ballinskelligs and Caherciveen.

The final stage is always one that draws in the crowds and following three laps of the usual Beaufort circuit, riders will have to face 10 shortened laps of Killorglin, each time going up the short but steep ramp through the town.

The best chance of a home winner rests with Tralee man Sean Lacey who won in 2011 and is in superb form this season, taking three wins already, the most recent being last weekend in Carlow. His team-mate Timmy Barry will also be one to watch while Irish U23 starlet Ryan Mullen (IG Sigma Sport) can’t be overlooked.

From abroad, Tino Kaakman from the Dutch West Frisia team will be one to keep an eye on and he’ll have strong support from Harry Sweering and Ruben Dorren while Geertjan Jonkman, also with West Frisia, was fourth here in 2009 and will need to be closely watched also.