For all those that don't know; the RAS is an annual eight day stage race around Ireland. This year the race will take place from the 20 - 27th May, The open racing style of the RAS pits amateur riders from county teams against international teams, allowing the best Irish amateur riders to take up the challenge and race against the professionals. The RAS has a worldwide reputation of being one of the more challenging tours in the elite international calendar. The RAS is a UCI ranked event and this year route covers 1168 kilometers with 28 categorized climbs, including three of the country's most challenging ascents.
The RAS is a different event for everyone, some are looking to win stages, some to place high on GC other like me it is a matter of survival for the 8 days, with all my hopes pinned on getting to Skerries and complete the RAS to become a "Man of the RAS", everyone's journey is unique and over the 8 days I hope to keep you all up to date with the stages, the range of emotions, the up's and down's in the "line-out to Skerries"
Line-out to Skerries - Just over 3 weeks to go
As I log onto the An Post RAS official website to get the updated news of the different team confirmed to ride the RAS, I see the countdown timer ticking away "24 days 19hours 1min" left to the hardest race I'll every do, my head is playing mind games with me, and my body is tired from the training load. I keep saying to myself only 4 weeks left, just keep going! I feel good in one race and bad in another, this all takes it toll. However I'll find out how my form is, Saturday week when I line out with the team I'll be doing the RAS with for the Tour of Ulster. The team is made up of 5 riders and I am on the Louth/Cuchulainn CC for the RAS.
Even though I am a rest week now I still have a 2 hour spin planned, on probably the wettest day of the year. I hope you find the read interesting and if anyone has any questions/comment please feel free to post them on the forum.
I'll update again soon.
Cheers Daragh
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