Ras Tailteann 2024 Race Report

The 2024 edition of the Ras Tailteann started with a fast flat day. The team did a good job to position Will for the sprint, with Matt doing a huge shift on the front of the peloton. Unfortunately for us, the break put in a monster effort and stayed away by just 20 seconds. Will came 7th in the gallop, resulting in 10th place on the stage.

Stage 2 was the hilliest, longest day of the race: 185 km taking in the iconic Balagsheen Pass. An early wheel change for Luke left him chasing all day, while Will and George made the front group over the climb and the racing did not end there. Constant attacking whittled down the front of the race and Will finished in the main group just 30 seconds down, very much still in the GC race.

The lads were feeling the fatigue by Stage 4, with George and Sam battling on despite feeling under the weather. The route took in 3 categorised climbs which looked to be decisive on paper. Sam positioned Will and George well in to the climbs, however a slight headwind meant the bunch stayed mostly together until 40 km to go when Will got away with two other riders. Our strong man left it all out there to finish 2nd on the stage and move up to 5th on the general classification. George picked up 10th in the sprint behind.

The plan for stage 5 was to commit to going for the GC win for Will. Luke covered the early moves and Will was on the attack again with 40 km to go, moving in to the virtual yellow jersey not long after. After a lot of panic in the bunch, the move came back with 20km to go and the stage would end in a bunch sprint, with George coming home in 8th place. Will retained his 5th place on GC.