Stage 1(a)
Friday, April 18th, 2025 – Currow, Co. Kerry — The 2025 edition of the Dornan Rás Mumhan kicked off with a fast and fiercely contested Team Time Trial (TTT).
Held over 8.8km on the iconic John Drumm Circuit. With teams rolling off at two-minute intervals, the new addition brought a sharp tactical edge and showcased the strength and cohesion of the peloton from the very first pedal stroke.
Composite Black set the pace early, clocking an unbeatable 10:33.56 and averaging over 50 km/h on the rain-slicked roads between Currow and Castleisland. Their well-drilled squad — Monte Guerrini, Jamie Whitcher, Alex Franks, Harold Evans, and Kevin McCambridge — delivered a faultless ride to take the win, with Monte Guerrini heading into stage 1(b) in the yellow jersey.
Close behind, Spellman Dublin Port Cycling Team crossed the line in 10:39.42 to secure second place, while Team Caldwell Cycles rounded out the podium with 10:47.68. Ride Revolution Coaching came in fourth, posting 10:49.82.
Top 8 Teams – Stage 1A Results:
1.
Composite Black – 10:33.56
2.
Spellman Dublin Port Cycling Team – 10:39.42 (+5.86)
3.
Team Caldwell Cycles – 10:47.68 (+14.12)
4.
Ride Revolution Coaching – 10:49.82 (+16.26)
5.
Velo Performance – 10:50.40 (+16.84)
6.
TAAP Kalas – 10:54.96 (+21.40)
7.
Dan Morrissey – Pissei – 10:56.97 (+23.41)
8.
UCD Cycling Club – 10:57.46 (+23.90)
Stage 1B of Rás Mumhan 2025 followed a familiar but unforgiving route from Castleisland to Knocknagoshel, via the steep slopes of the Black Banks and the punchy five-lap circuit around the Knocknagoshel crossroads. The action ignited early, with the flag dropping approximately 5km after roll-out from An Riocht AC, and the first King of the Mountains point arriving just 4km into the racing. This opening climb proved fertile ground for the first selections.
By the time the race reached Brosna and turned onto the Cork Line, the peloton had fractured under the pressure of the terrain and the aggressive pace being set at the front. The circuit laps in Knocknagoshel delivered further damage, with a Category 5 KOM on each pass and a particularly cruel final ascent through the village to the line.
It was Matteo Cigala of Dan Morrissey Pissei who timed his effort to perfection, taking the win in a sharp sprint from a reduced front group and clocking a time of 1h28’31”. He also snatched the maximum 5 bonus seconds, putting him firmly in the leader’s jersey going into Stage 2. Close behind, Willem O’Connor of Velo Performance and Niall McLoughlin of Connacht Cycling rounded out the podium, both animating the race in the latter laps.
Casper Rode (West-Frisia) and Ollie Hucks (TAAP Kalas) completed the top five, with Hucks looking strong on the climbs but losing contact just before the final run-in. Patrick O’Loughlin of Munster Dornan also rode impressively to 6th, showing local knowledge and grit on home roads.
Further down, Odhran Doogan of Team Caldwell Cycles finished at +7s, followed closely by Harold Evans(Composite Black) and Ruairi Byrne (UCD Cycling Club), all within 10 seconds of the leader—a gap that could easily be reversed in the days to come.
With the KOM competition beginning to take shape and GC gaps already emerging, Stage 1B delivered a high-octane opener. The repeated climbs and technical descents served as a reminder that in Rás Mumhan, nothing comes easy.
