Dermot Dignam has again succeeded in mapping out an attractive and challenging route for the FBD Milk Ras from May 15th to 23rd and he expects to have representatives from at least seven countries in another line-up of over 150. The 798-mile ninestage race has a record number of 26 mountain climbs, four of them rated as first category, but no time trial is included.

Although it is the 47th successive year of the promotion, and Dignam's 20th year as organiser, five new stage end towns are included - Charleville, Killaloe, Ballinrobe, Killybegs and Cootehill. The other overnight stops are in Waterford, Sligo and Drogheda.

Stage one is from Dublin to Waterford with the final Dublin city stage the same as last year on the circuit up and down O'Connell Street and around Parnell Square. On the opening stage of 94 miles there are the usual three hot spot sprints at Naas, Kilcullen and Borris. Stage two of 104 miles takes in Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel before the first category ascent of The Vee. Then, after the drop to Lismore, the route includes Fermoy, Kildorrery and Kilmallock with the finish in Charleville.

There are just third and second category climbs at Newtown and Portroe on Monday's stage three of 88 miles to Killaloe with another 88 miles to Ballinrobe the next day via Tuamgraney, Gort, Clarinbridge, Claregalway and Tuam.

Stage five is the longest, 107 miles to Sligo through Castlebar, Keenagh, Crossmolina, Ballina and Strandhill. There will be a transfer on Thursday morning to Donegal for the sixth stage of 89 miles to Killybegs. Barnesmore Gap rises soon after the start, and, after passing through Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Letterkenny, Fintown, Glenties and Ardara, the first category Glenshane Pass, with its one in four hairpin bends, is tackled. Bogagh and Bavan follow before the finish in Killybegs.

Stages seven and eight on Friday and Saturday go in and out of the North. The 100 miles from Killybegs to Cootehill is through Pettigo, Kesh, Ederny, Dromore, Fintona and Fivemiletown as climb, the category one Carnmore, before Clones.

The second last day is a 103 mile stage to Drogheda and the survivors will have another transfer on the last day for the Dublin finale.

After eight years the Irish League of Credit Unions have withdrawn their sponsorship of the Junior Tour of Ireland which has become one of the most important promotions for juniors in Europe and was won last August by Mark Scanlon, who went on to take the World Junior Championship. The organiser Pat McQuaid is searching for a replacement. He said: "For the future of the sport in Ireland and in particular for the cycling stars of the future it is imperative that the event continues and every effort will be made to entice a new sponsor."