Rás Tailteann stage to pass through Offaly on May 24

The penultimate stage of this year's Rás Tailteann is County Offaly bound with cyclists passing through the towns of Birr, Kinnitty and Riverstown before taking on a category one climb in the Slieve Bloom mountains ahead of reaching the finishing line in Mountrath.

The 70th edition of the annual international cycling stage race will take place from May 21 to May 25.

Starting in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, the 2025 the race is again five stages and will see cyclists take on over 760km of Irish roads, including 13 categorised climbs.

Stage two will take the cyclists from Charlestown to Clifden, with Cong the starting point for stage three of the race which culminates in Miltown Malbay.

Cycling enthusiasts from the Midlands will have stage four marked on their Rás Tailteann calendar as the race makes it way through Offaly on May 24, the final stage of the competition taking the riders from Kildare to Bective, marking the conclusion of this year's event.

Commenting on the Rás Tailteann website ahead of the route launch, Race Director Ger Campbell spoke of his excitement for this year's event.

"I am super proud of the event we managed to get back on the road in 2022 and have grown from strength to strength each year since.

"Each stage has its own twist which some suiting climbers, sprinters or punchers. I think stage four into Mountrath is going to be very telling with a very difficult category one climb just 15KM out from the finish, that very well could decide the race.

"This is a very special event, and we hope that 2025, recognising the 70th edition, is a chance for everyone who has any connection with the event to come out and see the 2025 ‘Men of the Rás’," the Race Director said.