When eventual winner Philip Cassidy was asked about the route of the FBD Milk Ras, months before last year's race, his reply encapsulated that which sets the competition apart.
"Some years there is a hilly profile for the race, other years less so. But whatever the route the Ras is always a very tough race; people attack from the gun, go flat out all day and that makes it a very difficult event to ride."
Each year's route is carefully selected by race organiser Dermot Dignam and the details of this year's event, released this week, point towards another fiercely-contested race.
Nine stages, 1,280 kilometres and 20 major climbs characterise the 48th edition of the Ras which runs from May 20th to 28th. The race starts with a 143-kilometre stage from Dublin to Longford, taking in a category three climb and hot spot sprint at Slane and two further sprints at Delvin and Edgeworthstown.
Day two leaves Longford via Tarmonbarry, Ballaghaderreen and Swinford before taking in the category three climb at Lake Levally and the category one Windy Gap on the way to the finish at Newport.
A relatively short stage of 121 kilometres follows, from Newport to Oughterard, but on Tuesday, May 23rd, the riders must contend with a marathon 192 kilometres to Listowel, across three categorised climbs.
From there the race moves into the Kerry mountains, and the weaknesses of prospective challengers will be exposed by the slopes of Slieve Mish, (category two), Seefin, Drum West and Mount Foley (category three) and the category one ascent of Coomakista Pass on the road to Kenmare.
Losses will be compounded on the following day's stage to Mitchelstown with four climbs, including the category one Inchee and Musheramore, but Friday's 150 kilometres to Enniscorthy offers a respite from the struggles against gravity.
Saturday reintroduces the need for the small chainring with three category one ascents - Aughavanagh, Drumgoff (the "Shay Elliot") and Wicklow Gap, with the second category Slieve Corragh proving one final obstacle on the run in to Tullow.
Scheduled roadworks on O'Connell Street make it likely that the race will conclude on a different circuit to previous years, but this will do little to dampen what should be an exciting contest.
