This challenge trumps all, says the oldest rider in this year's Rás

Des Woods has children older than some of the guys he’ll be racing against during the eight-day An Post Rás which rolls out of Dunboyne, Co. Meath on Sunday.

Some of those he’ll be competing against will go on to make enormous amounts of money from the sport and have established careers.

Woods, who turns 50 next year, knows such a day is long gone and this is “the pinnacle” for him and plenty more full-time working men like him.