Banbridge CC are proud to announce an exciting team for the 70th edition of Rás Tailteann, taking place from May 21st to May 25th, 2025. This historic race will see riders take on five challenging stages, covering over 760 kilometres and tackling 13 categorised climbs across the stunning Irish landscape.
Rider Line-up
Such is the strength and depth of talent in the club the competition to secure one of the coveted places was high. We feel privileged to be able to say the team is made up entirely of current club members.
Matthew Teggart
Matthew is no stranger to the event having competed in it a total of 5 times, winning stages along the way. He has competed professionally for teams such as An Post–Chain Reaction, Team Wiggins Le Col, and WiV SunGod. Matthew won a stage in the 2017 An Post Rás and claimed the Sprints classification at the 2022 Tour of Britain. He also narrowly missed out on a medal in the elite Men’s Road Race at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, finishing fourth. Matthew’s vast experience will be an asset to the overall team.
Mark Downey
An accomplished track and road cyclist Mark has competed in both at an elite level. Mark has represented Ireland in multiple international competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where he competed in the Omnium event. On the track, Mark was ranked world number 1, has won gold medals in the Points race at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Apeldoorn and Colombia in 2017, securing the overall series win in the discipline. He also claimed World Cup gold in the Madison event in Los Angeles and a bronze medal in the Points race at the 2019 UCI World Championships. In road cycling, Mark finished fourth in the Commonwealth Games road race in 2018. He has ridden for professional teams such as WIGGINS, EvoPro Racing, and Côtes d’Armor–Marie Morin–Véranda Rideau.
John Buller
John has raced for teams such as PB Performance and the French squad Amicale Cycliste Bisontine. Riding this event for a second time John is hoping on build on 2 stage podium placings in last year’s event. Preparations have been going well, and John has had some notable success on the road this year including wins at the Tour of Ards and the Killinchy CC GP as well as podium places at the Waller Cup and PJ Logan events.
James Curry
James has been a consistent performer in Irish road racing, particularly in national championships and stage races over the years. His experience in European competitions has helped him develop as a strong all-round rider. This will be James third time riding the event having previously competed as a member of the Irish National Team. James is another of the riders with international experience having spent a season racing with AC Bisontine, the French DN2 team.
Johnny McRoberts
Johnny is the elder statesman of the squad but don’t let that fool you. A talented multi discipline rider Johnny is as equally happy off road as he is on. Preparations for this year’s Rás Tailteann have included competing in Absa Cape Epic in South Africa, which is known as the “Tour de France of mountain biking” due to its extreme difficulty. On the road performances have been getting better week by week with all training geared specifically for the Rás Tailteann.
Support Crew
Whilst the team are elbow to elbow on the road there will be a full support crew working hard in the background to ensure all goes to plan. The team will be managed by Martin Duffy. “Whilst this may be the clubs first time entering a team, make no mistake we are not just here to add to the numbers. We have very capable riders who on their day can make an impact. I am very excited as is the entire club to be part of this historic event.” Martin will be ably supported by Simon Curry, Mechanic, Brian Hannon, Soigneur and Austin Dennis, Masseuse.
Race Overview
This year’s Rás will start in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, Co Louth on Wednesday, May 21st heading westwards to finish in Boyle, Co Roscommon.
A transfer to Charlestown for the start of stage two where the riders will take on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the 2025 Rás Tailteann stages.
Another transfer to Co Mayo for the start of stage three, where Cong will welcome the Rás Tailteann. After setting off from Cong, the riders will take in breathtaking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way before they face the fast finish towards Miltown Malbay in County Clare.
The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on 2 x category three climb’s before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15KM remaining – will there be enough time to regroup 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 ‘The Lilywhite County’ before entering Co Meath where again, the winner of Rás Tailteann will be crowned in Bective.
The 2025 edition of the race will take on over 760km, including 13 categorised climbs.
