CYCLING: FBD Milk Rás race director Dermot Dignam has announced what he promises will be a "severe test" for the riders lining up for this year's 51st edition of Ireland's premier cycling event.

Running from Sunday, May 18th until Sunday, May 25th, the eight-day, 2.5-ranked tour will see the competitors travelling north east to slug it out over the tough Donegal mountains, with stage finishes in Roscrea, Clifden, Ballina, Letterkenny, Buncrana, Donegal Town, Oldcastle and the Phoenix Park.

Clocking up over 1,150 kilometres, the world-ranked international will see professionals and amateurs tackle a route which includes the daunting Glengesh Pass and the Mamore Gap, which is reputed to be the hardest climb in the country.

"It should pose a formidable challenge to the riders," said Dignam.

The racing gets under way on May 18th with a mainly flat 135km opening leg to Roscrea, starting in Dublin and passing through Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin and Mountmellick before encountering The Cut, the first categorised climb of the race. Day two is the longest stage, taking the riders 188kms from Roscrea via Galway city to Connemara, and on to the finish in Clifden.

Connemara features again the next day when the route winds 142kms north to Ballina, with Leenane, Westport and the third category climb of Keenagh dotting the way.

A mainly flat 173km run to Letterkenny follows, via Sligo, Bundoran and Donegal, before the field hits the mountains on stage five of the race. Here the first real shake-up of the general classification is set to occur, with the lure of the yellow jersey and the four categorised ascents providing opportunity for the strong climbers.

The slopes of the third-category Bredagh Glen sets the theme before the mayhem starts on the daunting roads up Ballagh Hill and the Mamore Gap, with Pinch Hill acting as one final springboard before the finish in Buncrana.

Day six will be similarly appealing to spectators and contestants, with another four categorised climbs awaiting the tiring field. The 167km stage takes the riders from Buncrana, back through Letterkenny and on to the one-in-four hairpins of Glengesh Pass before hitting Bogagh Hill, Bavin Hill and finally finishing in Donegal town.

The second longest stage follows on day seven, with the 180kms from Donegal to Oldcastle providing plenty of opportunity for the main contenders to slug it out before the concluding criterium in the Phoenix Park on May 25th.

Cycling Ireland has announced it has reached agreement with Dúchas regarding the return of cycling events to the Phoenix Park. Nine races will take place this season, with the first scheduled for April 29th.

FBD MILK RÁS - Route details: Sunday, May 18th, Dublin-Roscrea (135kms); Monday, May 19th, Roscrea-Clifden (188kms); Tuesday, May 20th, Clifden-Ballina (142kms) Wednesday, May 21st, Ballina-Letterkenny (173kms); Thursday, May 22nd, Letterkenny-Buncrana (146 kms); Friday, May 23rd, Buncrana-Donegal (167kms); Saturday, May 24th, Donegal-Oldcastle (180 kms); Sunday, May 25th, Phoenix Park circuit (40kms).