Gortahork's Odhran Doogan takes over as overall leader of Rás Tailteann

Odhran Doogan has taken the overall lead following the second stage of the Rás Tailteann.

The Gortahork native came home third in today's 170.9km stage between Charlestown, Co Mayo, and Clifden in Galway.

Will Perrett of DAS Richardsons broke away to win the stage by six seconds in a time of 3:44.22, although Doogan was in the group of 19 riders that immediately followed to move into yellow. 

It means the 21-year-old of the Cycling Ulster team has a slender three-second lead in the overall standings, with Matteo Cigala in second and a further three seconds back, Sebastian Brenes. Doogan is also the leading young rider overall and the leading points scorer.

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Tomorrow's stage three Stage begins in Cong, Co. Mayo, and spans 163.8km of challenging and picturesque terrain. The riders will take on several climbs along the way - including the Corkscrew, Doonagore Cross, and the iconic Cliffs of Moher before
descending into Miltown Malbay, where the finish line on Church Street.

The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on two category-three climbs before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15kms remaining before the finish in Mountrath, Co Laois.

The final stage of Rás Tailteann 2025 will kick off in Kildare Town heading across the plains of county on Sunday before entering Co Meath where again, the winner of Rás Tailteann will be crowned in Bective. The 2025 edition of the race is again five stages and will take on over 760kms along the roads of The Emerald Isle, including 13 categorised climbs.