Jon McCarthy Ireland’s best prospect of a strong Rás finish

The biggest event of the Irish cycling calendar, the Rás Tailteann, will begin from Drogheda tomorrow, with an international field battling over eight days. The race, in its 66th year, will see the top domestic riders take on teams from the United States, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Britain.

The 155-rider peloton will cover a distance of 1,180km before the winner is crowned on Sunday, May 27, in Skerries, Dublin.

Race director Eimear Dignam has flagged the first day, a 146km-stage from Drogheda to Athlone, as an aggressive opener.