Liam Flanagan takes Stage 3 of the Rás Tailteann in Enniscorthy

Liam Flanagan of USA: APS Pro Cycling team wins stage 3 into Enniscorthy. Photo: Lorraine O'Sullivan

Liam Flanagan of APS Pro Cycling powered to victory on Stage 3 of the Rás Tailteann after timing his effort perfectly on the uphill finish in Enniscorthy from a reduced leading group of 17 riders. 

The selective finale produced important time gaps and further reshaped the overall standings heading into the decisive mountain stages later in the race. Tim Shoreman of Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli now wears the leader's yellow jersey after his victory on Thursday and second place finish Friday.

Stage 3 of the 2026 Rás Tailteann brought a fast and tactical day of racing from Mitchelstown, with the peloton covering over 155 kilometres across Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford. After the brutal climbing of Stage 2, the tempo remained aggressive from the flag drop as teams looked to control the race ahead of the technical finale into Enniscorthy.

The stage featured repeated attacks and several attempts to establish a successful breakaway, but the pace in the bunch stayed consistently high. Crosswinds and rolling terrain stretched the peloton at various points, while general classification contenders remained alert after the time gaps created on the previous stage.

As the riders approached Enniscorthy, positioning became critical on the narrow and technical roads leading toward the uphill drag to the finish. Sprint teams and GC riders battled intensely for control entering the final kilometres, with the front of the race heavily reduced by the pace and constant accelerations.