25/05/2026
âBoss, is it OK if I take a few days leave next week?â
âSure. Anything good planned?â
âJust me and a few mates doing a bike raceâ
âOK. Enjoyâ
Welcome to RĂĄs Tailteann 2026
A few statsâŚ
Duration â 5 days
Total distance â 800km
Total climbing â 7000m
Winnerâs time â 17h 18min Av speed 46 km/h
Last riderâs time â 20h 02min Av speed 40 km/h
âThe RĂĄsâ as itâs affectionately known, is an iconic race on Irelandâs cycling calendar. First run in 1953, the race is steeped in cycling (and sometimes political) history. Itâs been through several iterations and is now run as a Pro-Am 5 day race.
The 2026 event was won by Conn McDunphy, an Irish lad from Co. Kildare, who rides for USA based APS Pro Cycling.
Conn is a great guy and devoted to his sport. This article isnât about Conn, though, itâs about the everyday guy. The guy who has a partner, family, and kids at home, holds down a full-time job, takes leave to compete in the race, and sacrifices his time to train so to hopefully make it to the finish line.
The RĂĄs is known as a tough race and takes no prisoners. Irish roads are tough going for cyclists. The surface is a type of asphalt which doesnât allow tyres to ârollâ freely. Add into that many of the roads are poorly maintained, throw in the Irish weather, and you have a tough week of bike racing. To get to the finish line takes grit and determinationâŚand a bit of luck!
Team Feeley & Sons was put together as a composite team; a few mates who didnât have a ride on an established team, so pooled their resources, got a bit of sponsorship, and some help from mates and acquaintances. They borrowed a car from a local cycling club, hired a van, and booked AIRBNBs for overnight stays. Four have full-time jobs; one is a student. They trained hard, some doing so late at night after putting the kids to bed, and turned up on the start line full of enthusiasm, but knowing deep down that their personal level of fitness was somewhat below that of Conn, his fellow professional cyclists, and what are known in the sport as full-time amateurs; no job and sufficient funds to support their hobby on a full-time basis. Sadly, two of Team Feeley didnât make the finish due to injury and illness, but like many âMen of the RĂĄsâ theyâll be back for another go, such is the pull of 'The RĂĄs'
Behind every team is a dedicated group of helpers. Partners, wives, parents, mates, mates of matesâŚanyone who can get a few days off to help. Typically driving the hire van from start to finish, or handing up bottles during in the race â try passing a bottle of water to a cyclist as they pass you at speed! After the race, bikes need washing, meals cooking, and the next day planning. Itâs a full-time job in itself for 5 days.
So, chapeau to all the guys who are back at work this week, wondering what it is theyâve just accomplished during their few days off.
âHi, boss, did you have a nice weekendâ
âI did. How did your race go?â
âNot too bad, thanksâ
RĂĄs Tailteann Cycle Race
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