The An Post Rás is an annual, eight-day, stage race around Ireland. The race is Ireland's number one cycling event and will take place from May 20th - 27th, 2012.
This is the second year of An Post's sponsorship of the celebrated Rás Tailteann, which is more commonly known as The Rás. This is a special year for the race, it being the 60th edition of The Rás. The epic race began in 1953 and has been held every year since. It is one of Ireland’s top sporting events bringing world class sporting action and a significant economic boost to towns and villages nationwide.
The Rás has a worldwide reputation of being a gruelling challenge in the elite, international calendar. The open racing style allows amateur county and club riders to pit themselves against domestic and international professionals.
This year's race gets underway in Dunboyne, Co. Meath. It will then move clockwise around the country, and includes stage finishes in Kilkenny, Gort, Westport, Bundoran, Buncrana, Killybegs and Cootehill, before concluding with the now-customary crowd-thronged finale in Skerries, North County Dublin.
The route covers 1168 kilometres with 28 categorised climbs, including three of the country's most challenging ascents.