Ras de Cymru
The five-day Ras de Cymru, one of Britain’s biggest stage races for lower category riders, kicks off in Wales on Wednesday, July 1.
Nicole Cooke and Emma Pooley used last year’s race as a springboard for Olympic success, showing what a tough workout the Ras is.
The 81-strong field can breathe a collective sigh of relief that Pooley is not entered, so there will be no repeat of the Cervelo pro ripping the field apart on the mountainous final stage. Sadly, there are no women entered for 2009, the fifth edition of the event.
The 2008 Ras was won by South African Tim Carter, who had the good fortune to be draughted into the Great Britain women’s team.
The six-stage event is based at the University of Wales campus in Newport and sponsored by Newport & South East Wales Business Tourism.
Racing starts on Wednesday, July 1, with a short individual time trial in Llangybi.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
STAGES
Stage 1 – Wednesday, July 1, prologue TT
4 miles, Llangybi-Caerleon-Llanhennock
Stage 2 – Thursday, July 2, road race
53 miles, Abergavenny-Usk-Devauden-Mitcheltroy-Raglan-Abergavenny
Stage 3 – Thursday, July 2, team TT
15 miles, Abergavenny-Raglan-Abergavenny
Stage 4 – Friday, July 3, road race
59 miles, Caerleon-Usk-Raglan-Abergavenny-Usk
Stage 5 – Saturday, Jul 4, road race
68 miles, Storey Arms-Brecon-Dyfennog-Brecon-Dyfennog
Stage 6 – Sunday, July 5, road race
56 miles, Abergavenny-Brecon-Talybont-Llangynidr
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
USA Cycling unveils 2025 National Championship schedule with 17 chances to claim the Stars and Stripes jersey
From cycling eSports in February to cyclocross in December, here are the dates and locations for the 2025 season
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tech of the week: A shockingly expensive steel bike from Colnago, a surprisingly affordable carbon bike from Pinarello, DT Swiss energises our cycling lives and Pog's bars are now yours to buy
Colnago's Steelnova is a thing of beauty but you'll pay for the pleasure, while Pinarello's F1 is an inexpensive gateway to the brand. DT Swiss enters the dynamo hub market and Enve brings Pog's cockpit to market
By Luke Friend Published