STAGE 5, THURSDAY 27^Th MAY, TIPPERARY – SESKIN HILL (CARRICK-ON-SUIR) 157KMS.

Tipperary, Lattin, Emly, Knocklong, Elton, Kilmallock, Ardpatrick, Kildorrey, Glanworth, Fermoy, Ballyduff, Lismore, Cappoquinn, The Pike Category 3 KOM, Lemybrien, Seskin Hill Category 1 KOM.

Time gaps should, until this point, be relatively small, but all will change from this point on. Stage five on Thursday May 27^th may well bring about a change in the race lead, and should significantly thin out the list of the overall contenders. Beginning in Tipperary, the route heads for Fermoy and Lismore, crosses the category three The Pike (km 125.7), then concludes with the ferociously steep ascent of Seskin Hill (km 157.1). David O’Loughlin won here in 2004 and will aim to do so again for the An Post Grant Thornton Sean Kelly team, particularly as Kelly is from the nearby town of Carrick on Suir.

Dignam says that this stage marks a turning point in the race. “This stage will definitely play a big role. Guys who are not as confident in the mountains are going to be attacking early on and trying to get clear to win the stage, rather than leaving things to the climb. Once onto the slopes, the mountain specialists will definitely be coming to the fore, tearing things apart.”

Map Of Last 3 Kilometres

Map Of Seskin Hill Stage Finish