Optimism runs high as stages are announced

Cycling/ Rás Route: Eight days, 20 categorised climbs, 1,224 kilometres of racing and a carefully balanced mix of Irish and international teams; these elements will be the basis of the 2008 FBD Insurance Rás, the route of which has just been unveiled.

The 2.2-ranked event begins in Navan on Sunday, May 18th, with a 142 kilometres stage. Category three climbs at Kells and Slieve na gCallaigh double up as intermediate sprints and time bonuses will be up for grabs there and at the finish in Ballinamore.

Day two will be a fast, mainly flat stage between Ballinamore and Claremorris and features one category three climb at Slieve Gamph. Stage three then ramps up the climbing theme with a third category hill at Ballinalacken and the first category Doonagore climb.

The following day runs from Corofin to Tralee. It features a mainly flat first half, then three category three climbs at Barnagh Gap, Glanshearoon and Barr na Gaoithe. Stage five covers 141 kilometres and crosses five big climbs en route to Skibbereen.

Next up is the longest leg of the race, a torturous 180 kilometres of undulating roads from Skibbereen to Clonmel. It is followed by what is set to be the toughest day in the saddle, the 177-kilometre penultimate leg from Clonmel to Roundwood.

As in the past two years, the last stage finishes in Skerries and should once again feature huge crowds and make for an exciting, unpredictable finale. It starts in Newbridge, covers 130 kilometres and features the category three climbs of Pluckhimin, Cross of the Cage and the Black Hills climb.

Race director Dermot Dignam says that careful attention has been paid to ensure yet another great edition. "It is a fairly traditional route in so far as it has something for everyone," he said. "There are good, fast stages as well as long, gruelling heavy roads."

2008 FBD Insurance Rás: Stage 1: Sunday, May 18th: Navan-Ballinamore, 142 km. Stage 2: Monday, May 19th: Ballinamore-Claremorris, 167 km. Stage 3: Tuesday, May 20th: Claremorris-Lisdoonvarna, 131 km. Stage 4: Wednesday, May 21st: Corofin-Tralee, 156 km. Stage 5: Thursday, May 22nd: Tralee-Skibbereen, 141 km. Stage 6: Friday, May 23rd: Skibbereen-Clonmel, 180 km. Stage 7: Saturday, May 24th: Clonmel-Roundwood, 177 km. Stage 8: Sunday, May 25th: Newbridge-Skerries + 2 laps of 13.7km circuit, 130 km.

Fixtures: Sunday: Training race, Galway city, 10 am. Connacht MTB League, round 1. Starts noon at Tourmakeady Wood, Co Mayo.