Rás Tailteann 2025 – Stage 1

Drogheda to Boyle | 148km |

Strong Start from Orwell on Opening Day

The 70th edition of Rás Tailteann got underway under clear skies and summer sunshine, as riders rolled out of Drogheda on a fast 148km route to Boyle, Co. Roscommon. The stage featured a mix of hot spot sprints, rolling terrain, and the first King of the Hills (KOH) points, all raced at a blistering pace.

Race Recap

From the drop of the flag, the race surged into action, with the peloton averaging over 45kph across the early flat roads. The Pinergy Orwell Wheelers squad approached the stage with confidence, each rider settling into the high-paced rhythm with composure.

Patrick O’Loughlin, riding as a guest with the team, was prominent at the front of the bunch throughout the day. Always attentive, he kept a close eye on the moves and positioned well heading into the final.

Luke Keaney, clearly enjoying the moment, got a bit excited mid-stage and found himself riding at the front of the race in a small group of five. It was a great show of confidence in his first Rás outing.

Sean O’Kane had a more challenging day mechanically, requiring two bike changes, but fought back well each time and showed impressive grit to finish safely.

Evan Keane and Ronan O’Flynn both rode smart races, staying protected and conserving energy while navigating the fast and often nervous peloton.

As the race hit the final 10km, a series of crashes disrupted the run-in to the uphill finish. Patrick, who had positioned himself well, was held up slightly and missed the chance to contest the top placings but still crossed the line in a strong 34th. Ronan followed with a solid 54th, while Evan, Luke, and Sean all finished safely in the bunch.

Stage 1 Results – Orwell Riders

Patrick O’Loughlin – 34th

Ronan O’Flynn – 54th

Luke Keaney, Evan Keane, and Sean O’Kane – bunch finish

Classifications After Stage 1

Team Standings (Irish County Teams): 7th overall

Patrick O’Loughlin – 9th in U23 classification

Ronan O’Flynn – 3rd in C2 ranking

Luke Keaney – 6th in C2 ranking

Summary

A strong and steady start for the Orwell squad, who showed their strength, teamwork, and ability to handle the pressure of Ireland’s premier stage race. With riders already featuring in classification standings and valuable experience gained, the foundation is set for a big week ahead.

Stay tuned for Stage 2’s report Pinergy Rás Tailteann Cycle Race

Photos : Sean Rowe / Danny