Ireland’s best-selling daily newspaper and digital content leader will join up with Ireland’s longest running stage race to celebrate the spirit, endurance and sense of community that is written all over Ireland. Travelling from Drogheda to its finale in Bective five days later, via stage starts and finishes in Boyle, Charlestown, Clifden, Cong, Miltown-Malbay, Ennis, Mountrath and Kildare, the Rás will wrap itself around the heartland of Ireland, giving county riders the chance to take on their international challengers on home roads and providing stories and tales that will be forever etched into Irish cycling history. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Rás Tailteann for the second year in a row,” says Arlene Regan, Marketing Manager of Mediahuis Ireland, “Through our ‘Written All Over Ireland’ campaign, we’re more committed than ever to celebrating the communities, the cyclists, and the extraordinary stories that define this iconic event. "From Drogheda to Miltown-Malbay, Clifden to Boyle, we’ll be right there with the communities as they write their own chapters in the history of this event.” The Irish Independent King of the Mountains classification is an integral part of the five-day race, with the distinctive KOM leader’s jersey, designed by world-renowned designer Mark Porter, awarded to the rider with the most overall points in the climber’s competition each day. With 13 classified climbs on the 760km route this year, competition for the coveted Irish Independent KOM jersey promises to be as fiercely contested as ever. “It’s been a pleasure to see our partnership with the Irish Independent grow and strengthen,” says race director Gerard Campbell. “Their support for the King of the Mountains jersey continues to elevate the race, and we’re excited to see the impact of their ‘Written All Over Ireland’ campaign. The Irish Independent’s involvement is a fantastic addition to the event, and we’re looking forward to another year of great racing and community engagement.” In addition to sponsoring the King of the Mountains jersey, the Irish Independent will publish a special Rás Diary each day throughout the event. This feature will follow a rider’s journey during the race, offering readers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, triumphs, and personal stories of one of the competitors. The daily Rás Diary will bring fans closer to the action, providing a unique perspective on the race each day. The Irish Independent will also run competitions for readers to win their very own Irish Independent KOM jersey, giving fans a chance to be part of the excitement and celebrate the spirit of the five day international event. The 70th edition of Rás Tailteann begins in Drogheda on May 21 with a 156km stage to Boyle.