FBD MILK RAS 2000

TOUGH TEST FOR WORLD RANKING FBD MILK RÁS
Issued Feb 16, 2001

"A tough, challenging, route which looks set to favour the specialist mountain climber" is the reaction of 1999 FBD MILK RÁS winner, Philip Cassidy, to the route for this year's race, announced today by Race Organiser, Dermot Dignam. The 2001 edition takes place from Sunday 20th to Sunday 27th May.

Certainly, on paper, the course looks set to be one of the most difficult in the 48 years history of Ireland's premier cycle race. With 1,119 kilometres of racing, taking the top class international field over 31 mountain climbs including the gruelling first category ascents of the Conor Pass, Ladies View, Molls Gap, Turners Rock, Corrabutt Gap, the Heights and Mount Leinster and a longest stage distance of 184 kilometres the winner is sure to be a strong climber and a good all rounder.

Stage finish towns include Ballaghaderren, Portumna, Castleisland, Killorglin, Skibbereen, Dungarvan, Bunclody, with the final stage in Dublin City Centre on Sunday 27th May. Ballaghadereen, Portumna and Bunclody will experience for the first time the exciting spectacle of top class international cyclists battling it out for precious stage wins.

FBD Insurance and the National Dairy Council once again combine to sponsor the event, for the nineteenth year, and their financial backing along with the support of the Irish Sports Council makes it possible for the race to comply with the many extra expenses of being on the International Calendar.

The international prestige of the race received a huge fillip with the recent decision by the Union Cycliste Internationale to recognise the race, for the first time ever, as eligible for qualification points for the World Cycling Championships and Olympic Games. In a break from the traditional start in Dublin the race will begin its 8-day journey around Ireland from the heart of Meath cycling territory, the booming town of Navan. Stages 2 and 3 pay first time ever visits to Ballaghaderreen in County Roscommon and the Shannonside, Galway town of Portumna.

The huge, colourful spectacle will then move on to thrill the townspeople of Castleisland, Killorglin, Skibbereen, Dungarvan with the stage into Bunclody having a real sting in the tail for the international field. Having crossed the finish line in the town the riders are faced with a 50 kilometres loop taking in six King of the Mountain climbs before the finish proper back in Bunclody, famed in the ballad, The Streams of Bunclody.

Although the race has been reduced by one day to an eight day event, to fit in with the world elite calendar, UCI points will make the race more attractive to top national and trade teams hoping to improve their world rankings.

For further details, contact;
Dermot Dignam, +353-1-8481517. Sally Ryan, +353-1-6496400

Race Organiser: Dermot Dignam, 95 St. Brendans Avenue, Dublin 5, Ireland
Tel: +353-1-8481517. Fax: +353-1-8483027, E-mail: organisation@fbdmilkras.com, Website: www.fbdmilkras.com
The race receives financial support from The Irish Sports Council.
Promoted under UCI & Irish Cycling Federation Rules

ROUTE DETAILS. (Map)

SUNDAY 20TH MAY, STAGE 1, NAVAN - BALLAGHADERREEN, 155Kms. [ETAs] [Finish Map]
NAVAN, Bohermeen, Athboy, Delvin, Hot Spot Sprint (34kms), Mullingar By-Pass, Ballinalack, Rathowen, Edgeworthstown, Hot Spot Sprint (80kms), Longford, Tarmonbarry, Scramoge Cat. 3 KOM (111kms), Strokestown, Hot Spot Sprint (116kms), Tulsk, Rathcroghan Cat. 3 KOM (131kms), Frenchpark, BALLAGHADERREEN.

MONDAY 21ST - STAGE 2, BALLAGHADERREEN - PORTUMNA, 131Kms. [ETAs] [Finish Map]
BALLAGHADERREEN, Liscaul, Gorthaganny, Ballyhaunis, Dunmore, Tuam, Athenry, Kilconierin, Carrowbaun, Loughrea, Killimor, PORTUMNA.

TUESDAY 22ND - STAGE 3, NENAGH - CASTLEISLAND, 184Kms. [ETAs] [Finish Map]
Transfer Portumna - Nenagh, 32 Kms.
NENAGH, Dolla, Bollingbrooke Cat. 3 KOM (14kms), Hollyford, Donohill, Tipperary, Carrigeenina Cat. 1 KOM (61kms), Galbally, Knocklong, Elton, Kilmallock, Charleville, Newmarket, Ballydesmond Cat. 3 KOM (158kms), Scartaglin, Currow, CASTLEISLAND.

WEDNESDAY 23RD - STAGE 4, CASTLEISLAND - KILLORGLIN, 119Kms. [ETAs] [Finish Map]
CASTLEISLAND, Tralee, Blennerville, Camp, Stradbally, Conair Pass Cat. 1 KOM (58kms), Dingle, Lispole Cat. 3 KOM (76kms), Inch, Castlemaine, Milltown, KILLORGLIN.

THURSDAY 24TH - STAGE 5, KILLORGLIN - SKIBBERREEN, 150Kms. [ETAs] [Finish Map]
KILLORGLIN, Killarney, Ladies View Cat. 1 KOM (39kms) Molls Gap Cat. 1 KOM ( 44kms), Kenmare, Turners Rock Cat. 1 KOM (72kms) Glengarrif, Derrycreha Cat. 3 KOM (85kms), Bantry, Aghagoohen Cat. 3 KOM (104kms), Durrus, Dunbeacon Cat. 3 KOM (115kms), Shantullig Cat. 2 KOM (119kms), Mount Gabriel Cat. 2 KOM (122kms), Schull, Derryconnel Cat. 3 KOM (130kms), Ballydehob, Ardura Cat. 3 KOM (137kms), SKIBBERREEN.

FRIDAY 25TH - STAGE 6, SKIBBERREEN - DUNGARVAN, 164Kms. [ETAs] [Finish Map]
SKIBBERREEN, Derryleigh Cat. 3 KOM (4kms), Leap, Barley Hill Cat. 3 KOM (15kms), Rosscarberry, Lissavaird Cat. 3 KOM (26kms), Clonakilty, Scartagh Cat. 3 KOM (34kms), Ballinascarthy, Bandon, Innishannon, Coolcullitha Cat. 3 KOM (63kms), Ballynagrumoolia Cat. 3 KOM (73kms), Cork City, Midleton, Castlemartyr, Killeagh, Youghal, Grange Cat. 3 KOM (144kms), DUNGARVAN.

SATURDAY 26TH - STAGE 7, DUNGARVAN - BUNCLODY, 171Kms. [ETAs] [Finish Map]
DUNGARVAN, The Pike Cat. 3 KOM (7kms), Lemybrien, Kilmeadon, Waterford, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Bunclody, Bunclody Cat. 3 KOM (123kms), (Cranavane Cat. 3 KOM 128kms), Myshal, The Heights Cat. 1 KOM (136kms), Corrabutt Gap Cat. 1 KOM (139kms), Mount Leinster Cat. 1 KOM (143kms), Kiltealy, Bola Mor Cat. 3 KOM (162kms), BUNCLODY.

SUNDAY 27TH - STAGE 8, DUBLIN CITY CIRCUIT, 45Kms. [Finish Map]
The Dublin finish will again this year be a spectacular Criterium on O'Connell Street/Parnell Square circuit, starting at 3pm.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION.

From Navan on day one, the race goes 155 kilometres west to Ballaghadreen with 3 Hot Spot sprints at Delvin, Edgeworthstown and Strokestown and King of the Mountains points at Scramoge and Rathcrogan giving the riders a taste of things to come whilst unveiling the first wearer of the coveted yellow jersey of race leader.

Day 2 sees the cyclists cover a flat 131 kilometres from Ballaghadreen to Portumna, with no bonus sprints or climbs along the way and could well result in a pulsating bunch sprint finish.

Tuesday's 3rd stage sees a transfer to the start town of Nenagh, where the riders will take in the 3rd category climb of Bollingbrooke, the category 1 ascent of Carrigeenina and the 3rd category climb of Ballydesmond on the longest stage - at 184 kms to Castleisland.
Wednesday, the 23rd may be the shortest stage at 119kms from Castleisland to Killorglin, but with the first category Conor Pass coming after only 58kms and the 3rd category Lispole just 18kms later, the field will surely be split on the run-in to the home of the Puck Fair.

The next day will surely be the focus of attention for anyone seriously considering an assault on the overall classification. The 150kms sojourn from Killorglin to Skibbereen in County Cork takes in a gruelling ten mountains and will be the acid test for those considered to be in contention for overall victory. The 1st category climbs of Ladies View, Molls Gap and Turners Rock all come within the first 72kms and are swiftly followed by the 3rd category trio of Derrycreha, Aghagoon and Dunbeacon. As if that wasn't torture enough, there follows the 2nd category mountains of Shantullig and Mount Gabriel and what could be the final nails in the coffin of many a hopeful, the 3rd categories of Derryconnel and Ardura on the run-in to Skibereen.

Friday's stage from Skibbereen to Dungarvan, a distance of 164kms, takes up where the previous day left off - with a tortuous four 3rd category climbs in the first 34kms and another three before Dungarvan!

The leg-weary riders will draw on what little reserves of energy are left, as they contest the penultimate and often decisive stage of this year's FBD MILK RÁS. A 171kms stage from Dungarvan to Bunclody again opens with a climb. The 3rd category Pike comes after just 7kms and could be enough to end the adventure for some. The race entourage takes in five more back breaking, lung bursting mountains, including the 3rd categories Bunclody and Cranavane, the first category ascents of The Heights, Corrabut Gap and Mount Leinster before finishing with the strength sapping rise at Bola Mor, just 7kms outside Bunclody.

The final stage on Sunday 27th May will see the traditional spectacular criterium staged in Dublin's O'Connell Street where spectators can take in all the high speed thrills of top class international cycling on a town/city centre circuit.