Route And Detailed Analysis 2008 Stage one begins with a ceremonial start in Navan at noon on Sunday May 18th, and takes the riders 142 kilometres to Ballinamore. The route passes through Kells and crosses a category three climb there after just 14.2 kilometres. The prime line is also the location of the first of three hot spot sprints, which will award bonus seconds and could well influence who takes the first yellow jersey of the race.