The An Post Rás started today in Dublin Castle and below are a selection of photos as the race makes it way to the finish in Longford.
193 riders started the stage and they will face three An Post Hot Spot Sprints in addition to a Category 3 KOM at Lough Crew on the 146.1-kilometre stage.
The riders will cover 1,200 kilometres over the course of the eight-day race and the large line-up is the biggest field since 2005.
In total there will be 39 five-man teams. Thirteen of these are international squads, and the home competitors have signed up in their droves this year with a promising Ireland national team and a staggering 25 Irish county teams.
