Stage Seven comes on the penultimate day of racing and the stage from Clonmel to Roundwood promises to be a classic. It is, at 177 kilometres, the second-longest in the race and in passing through the Wicklow mountains, will pose a very tough challenge to the riders. The first climb, Glenbower, comes 14.6 kilometres after the start and is a third category ascent. The peloton will speed through Kilkenny (43.6km), Loughlinbridge (71.5km), Tullow (90.8km), Tinahely, Aughrim (130.7km) and then on to two of the toughest climbs in the area, the category one Slieve Maan and the category one Drumgoff, which tops out 22 kilometres from the finish line in Roundwood.

Once down the twisting, dangerous descent the riders will speed through Laragh and Annamoe, with the big guns slugging it out all the way to the flag in a bid to decide the stage win, the race lead and the various classifications