STAGE 3, TUESDAY 25^Th MAY CARRICK-ON-SHANNON – OUGHTERARD 171KMS

Carrick-On-Shannon, Frenchpark, Castlerea, Ballinlough, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Hollymount, Ballinrobe, Neale, Cong, Clonbur, Finny, Gowlaun Category 3 KOM, Tir na Cille Category 2 KOM, Maum, Maam Cross, Oughterard.

Stage three The race organiser is more sceptical about a big sprint at the end of the third stage, a 171 kilometre race from Carrick on Shannon to Oughterard. After heading through Castlerea, Claremorris, Ballinrobe and Cong, home to former FBD Rás stage winner David O’Loughlin, two climbs crop up inside the final 35 kilometres. These are the category three ascent of Gowlaun (km 137.2) above Lough Nafooey plus the tougher, second category Tir na Cille (km 150.9) and, when coupled with the general sluggishness of what is the longest stage, could well fracture the peloton.

“This is a stage where the race is going to break up,” he predicts. “I am sure there will be a breakaway group as there are a lot of heavy roads and plenty of opportunity for riders to escape up the road and disappear out of sight.

“This will be very much a stage for a breakaway group, followed by a couple of chasing groups and then the bunch, which will lose some time. It should be the first real shake-up of the race.”

Map Of Last 3 Kilometers

Map Of Oughterard Stage Finish